E-MU 0204 USB: Damn, They've Done it Again! And for $129!!!

Just when I was starting to consider the Grace m903...

USB 2.0 Audio Interface E-MU's new 0204 USB Audio Interface is the ultimate portable 2-in/4-out USB audio interface for PC and Mac, offering pristine 24-bit/192kHz recording and playback, direct monitoring and a host of professional features in a compact, USB bus-powered package. The 0204 USB sets a new standard in portable USB audio, providing users with two Class-A preamps that can be run independently or in stereo to amplify guitars, keyboards or microphones, with individual ground lift switches for optimal audio performance. The E-MU 0204 USB 2.0 features: Premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters* (A/D: 113dB SNR, D/A: 113dB SNR) delivering you a pristine recording/capture and playback experience Ultra-low noise Mic/Hi-Z/Line preamplifiers with ground lift switches enable you to record microphones, keyboards or guitars directly into your computer delivering professional results (XLR, 1/4” TRS, and 1/8” 5V condenser mic input) Ultra-low latency USB drivers offer accurate timing and playback of your recorded audio and expressive control of your software instruments Independent headphone DAC path to enable separate playback and cueing for DJ applications Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring(mono/stereo) allows you to record and overdub with no timing delays Plug-and-play operation with hands-on control of all major functions like direct monitoring level, headphone level, and preamplifier gain to streamline your creative process Driver compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications letting you work with your choice of tools - (Windows XP (SP3 or greater), Vista/x64, Windows 7/x64:ASIO2 and WDM; Macintosh OS X (10.5 or greater): Apple CoreAudio) I/O Configuration: Class-A Ultra-low Noise Mic/Hi-Z/Line Preamp XLR, 1/4" TRS and 1/8"* Inputs (113dB SNR) Class-A Hi-Z/Line Preamp 1/4" Input (113dB SNR / 0.0008% THD) Two 1/4" Outputs (117dB SNR / 0.0008% THD) 1/8" Stereo Speaker Output (117dB SNR) Stereo Headphone Output which doubles as an assignable pair of auxiliary outputs (117dB SNR / 0.0008% THD)      Technical Specifications General Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz from internal crystal (no sample rate conversion)* Bit Depth: 24-bit I/O, 32-bit processing USB Hi-Speed - Full 24-bit resolution at all sample rates - Stereo in, stereo out at all sample rates Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring (disabled at 176.4-192kHz) Windows drivers: ASIO2 and WDM Macintosh driver: Apple CoreAudio Anti-Pop speaker protection minimizes noise during power on/off Ultra-low jitter clock subsystem: < 100ps RMS Combo Preamplifiers (2) Type: - (1) Ultra-low noise combo preamplifier with Mic/Hi-Z/line inputs - (1) Combo preamplifier with Hi-Z/line balanced input - (1) 1/8" condenser mic input with 5V power A/D converter: AK5385 Max Level: +6.5dBV bal/unbal (+8.7 dBu) Frequency Response (min gain, 20Hz-20kHz): +0.0/-0.07dB Dynamic Range (A-weighted, 1kHz, min gain): 113dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted, min gain): 113dB THD+N (1kHz at - 1dBFS, min gain): -101.9dB (.0008%) Ultra-low noise preamplifier (Mic/Hi-Z/line inputs) - Input Impedance: 1.5Kohm - EIN (20Hz-20kHz, 150ohm, unweighted): -127dBu Combo preamplifier with Hi-Z/line balanced input - Input Impedance: 1Mohm Analog Line Outputs (2) Type: Balanced, AC-coupled, 2-pole low-pass differential filter D/A converter: AK4396 Max Level: 6.7 dBV (unbalanced) Frequency Response (20Hz - 20kHz): 0.00/-0.01dB Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 117dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 117dB THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -101.9dB (.0008%) Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): <-111dB Headphone Amplifier Type: Class-A power amplifier D/A converter: AK4396 Gain Range: 60dB Maximum Output Power: 16mW Output impedance: 22ohms Frequency Response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.02/-0.08dB Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 117dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 117dB THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 300ohm load: -101.9dB (.0008%) Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 300 ohm load): <-111dB Synchronization Internal crystal sync at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz*  Retail Box Contents E-MU 0204 AudioPod USB cable (2 meters) Quick Start installation guide E-MU Software/Manual CD-ROM (Windows/Macintosh) - Windows XP, Vista, Vista x64 and Windows 7 Drivers - Macintosh OS X 10.5 - Owner's Manual and Tutorials Acoustica Mixcraft LE CD and registration card (Windows only)  Minimum System Requirements  Windows:   Intel or AMD processor - 1.2 GHz or faster Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard & chipset Windows XP (SP3 or greater), Vista/x64, Windows 7/x64 Drivers 1 available (Hi-speed) USB 2.0 port 1GB System RAM 950MB of free hard disk space for full installation CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD-ROM drive required for software installation XVGA Video (1024 X 768) Macintosh:   Apple Macintosh 1.2 GHz Intel-based processor Apple Macintosh OS X (10.5 or greater) 1 available (Hi-speed) USB 2.0 port 1GB System RAM 500MB of free hard disk space for full installation CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD-ROM drive required for software installation XVGA Video (1024 X 768) * When connecting the 0204 USB to a USB 1.1 port on a Windows PC, performance will be limited to 16-bit and 44.1/48kHz recording and playback. Macintosh support limited to USB 2.0 ports only.

E-MU 0204 USB — HIGH-RESOLUTION USB POWERED AUDIO INTERFACE

What is the 0204 USB?

The E-MU 0204 USB is the ultimate portable USB audio interface for the Mac and PC, offering pristine 24-bit/192kHz recording and playback, direct monitoring, and a host of professional features in a compact, USB bus-powered package.

E-MU 0204 USB features two XTCTM Class-A, ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z pream- plifiers that can be run independently or in stereo to record guitars, basses, keyboards or microphones with optimal audio performance.

Target Market

Any musician requiring a 2-in/4-out, 24/192kHz USB audio interface (Mac or PC) with superior specifications and features at an incredibly low price.

Target Customers: Computer Audio Enthusiasts and Audiophiles

E-MU USB products have become highly regarded in the music listening community for their accurate and uncolored audio reproduction. We went a little crazy on this product and used premium-quality, digital-to-analog converters normally reserved for thousand dollar systems. Then we went even further and completely redesigned the signal path to wring every last bit of performance from the A-D and D-A converters. The results are simply stunning. The sound and speci- fications of this little interface literally “blows the doors off” many audiophile interfaces and headphone preamps costing many times more.

Key Features/Key Benefits Bus-powered World-class Sound

Pristine 24-bit/192kHz recording, playback and audio specifications unmatched by any other interface in its price range. Your music will be accurately converted and preserved in the digital domain with professional standards.

Description:

Product Description: Number of Outputs:

Number of Inputs:

Microphone Preamps: Instrument Input:

Direct Monitoring: Converters: Sample Rates:

Drivers: THD+N (input to output): Signal to Noise Ratio: Jitter:

Portable USB bus-powered interface for Mac and PC with 2 mic preamps

Two 1/4" unbalanced outputs (1/2) Stereo headphone output doubles as an assignable pair of auxiliary outputs (3/4)

(1) Balanced XLR — 1/4" TRS combo jack (1) Balanced 1/4" TRS jack (1) Unbalanced 1/8" mic input with +5V power

(in parallel with XLR mic input)

Two XTCTM Class-A, ultra-low noise, mic/line/hi-z preamps with up to 60dB of gain

The center of the XLR jack functions as a Hi-Z input for use with guitars, basses, keyboards, etc. The 1/4” input also accepts a Hi-Z microphone with a 1/4” plug

Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono or stereo) with continuously variable level control

24-bit/192kHz A/D (AK5385) and D/A converters (AK4396), 117dB measured SNR performance (DAC)

44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz from internal crystal with no sample rate conversion

ASIO2, WDM MME, Apple Core Audio -101.9dB (.0008%) 1kHz at -1dBFS

117dB, A-weighted (DAC) <100ps RMS

Retail Street Price:

US = $129.99 UK = £129.99 (including new 20% VAT from Jan. 1, 2010) Euro = €129.99 (including 20% VAT)