Echo Gina

SonyEPM wrote on 10/17/2002, 10:27 PM
Ok audiomasters:

I've been playing around over the last few days with a new Gina 24/96. Any studio-pro type opinions on this card?

In my initial tests: CLEAN recording, no-hassle driver, plays nice with all my other pci devices, good for surround mixing in ACID (8 outs). Using the classic wave driver on Vegas 3.0c/2k/Dell/PIII800/1Ok scsi, I recorded the metronome to a .wav file (2x 1/4" cables a out then back in, note: no mixer), then re-recorded the timeline file using the same i/o method. Offset of the re-recorded file with the original using the auto-detect settings is just shy of 5 ms, and by tweaking the manual setting I can get down to ~2ms.

This isn't an official endorsement.


Comments

drbam wrote on 10/17/2002, 11:19 PM
I've been using Echo Laylas for 3 years, the original 20 bit, and for the past few months the Layla 24. I've been completely satisfied with both the product and the terrific support Echo has shown. I had a problem with one of the original units (one of the first 300 made) and Echo swapped me for a new one in 2 days. I haven't tried any other card/interface so I don't have anything to compare the Laylas to. I'm glad you posted your experience with the Gina cause it makes me even more glad I chose Echo. ;-)

drbam
Rednroll wrote on 10/18/2002, 7:46 AM
I've been using dual Echo Gina's for almost 3 years now, so it's the 20bit option, not the fancy 24bit ones you've got. They work great together as long as each card has their own IRQ. I had a problem once where they assigned to the same IRQ and they would work, but the card assignments would occassionally swap so that outputs 1-8 where now 9-20 and my mixes connected to my external mixer would not be correct. I sent echo an email and had a response and suggestion back by the end of the day. Drivers are always up to date to meet the latest OS requirements (even on my discontinued 20 bit cards). When I decide to go to a 24bit recording option, I would purchase the same cards again. I've have the digital outs connected to my Dat player, CD player, TC Finalyzer and Yamaha digital mixer and everybody talks together nicely. and oh yeah....they've never given me a problem with vegas either....well except during pre-beta testing of ASIO support for Vegas. Vegas only recognized one card and would constantly lock...and I know the 1 card support is a limitation of ASIO, but since the Gina's support multiple cards on a system I don't know how that is handled.

Basically 2 thumbs up on these cards, they rock!!
MacMoney wrote on 10/18/2002, 8:14 AM
No problems here with a Darla 20
The old girl just keeps running!
a VERY good card!

George
RiRo wrote on 10/18/2002, 8:18 AM
I've been with Gina for 2 years now, and would love to love her sister Layla, but only if Gina wouldn't mind being a part of a larger relationship. I've enjoyed Gina's many output positions, but lately find myself desiring, something more, new input options, for instance. And as good as Gina is, anyone can tell that Layla's many input options are certainly very attractive.

I have been working on a project of converting old vinyl to CD for archival purposes, and purchased Steinburg's Clean plus with the little preamp to help out. The pre was wired with a plug for the sound card, so I plugged it into the SB and was stunned at how much noise it made. Then I repatched into the Gina and realized the noise was the SB, not the preamp. I'll post a review on "Clean" in the Sound Forge forum. Basically, though, it is slow, kills the audio quality, and leaves the noise. Not a winning combination.

RiRo