The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 should be your next soundcard. Don't settle for anything else in your home studio.
I have a few computers in my home studio. One that is super beefed up running Pro Tools and one that is used for everything else. I find that it's nice to have the freedom to use any piece of software I need, when I need it. For my PC that is not running Pro Tools, I put in an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard. What an awesome investment. The 2496 ran me a little over one hundred bucks. But it was well worth every penny.
The Audiophile 2496 is a major leap in computer audio and performance unchallenged by any other audio card in its price range. This PCI soundcard features premium digital audio converters, elegant board design and ultra-stable drivers. The Audiophile 2496 also supports PC and Mac and most major recording software programs, ensuring seamless integration and killer performance.
Here's the specs:
- 2 x 2 analog I/O
- 24-bit/96kHz fidelity
- S/PDIF digital I/O with 2-channel PCM
- digital I/O supports surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through
- 1 x 1 MIDI I/O
- zero-latency monitoring
- gold-plated RCA jacks
The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard is also compatible with Pro Tools. Pro Tools M-Powered is a new version of Digidesign’s Pro Tools software created to work with certain M-Audio soundcards. With this card, you customize the multi-channel studio of your dreams, while remaining compatible with other Pro Tools projects.
It's really hard to say anything bad about the Audiophile 2496 soundcard. Look online, I guarantee you'll find nothing but great reviews about the Audiophile 2496. There are tons of soundcards in this price range, but don't get fooled. The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard should definately be on your list for home recording equipment.
