kyrie
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2003
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Installation and startup went without a single hitch. The only problem I had is in trying to figure out the software control panel (the E-MU Patchmix DSP) for the card, which is by far the most complex CP I've ever seen for any hardware device. Looking at it, I was reminded of the first time I tried to use Reason (a software by Propellerhead, those of you who do music mastering or composing would know). It's not quite that bad, but it's really quite excessively technical for a hardware control panel. But anyway, it does do its job, although I think it could be much simpler while retaining the functionality.
One thing I have yet to figure out is how to bypass the input mixer for both Wave and ASIO. When I insert the Send function for one of them, I mute the other, and the only way I can Send both inputs to the analog out is if I insert the Send function into the Main mix, leaving the individual inputs alone. However, that is not bypassing the input mixer, and only bypassing the main mixer. Also, it seems as one cannot send to a single channel from two separate inputs. Anyone have any tips? Anyway, enough with technicalities. Let's move on to the sound.
Some people (more than one) said that the EMU 0404 has more of a "strong, dynamic" sound to it than a "refined" one, I have to agree. As a result, it is a source that does rock or electronic music rather well, but is perhaps not suited for genres such as jazz. As for classical, it does well on exciting pieces such as Night on a Bald Mountain (taking an extreme example here), but doesn't do as well on the the more softer or emotional pieces.
As for synergy, I've found that it seems to mate rather well with the Ety 4P/S, not detracting from their detail while adding the dynamicness and musicality that they sorely need (IMO). On the other hand, it doesn't seem to get along too well with the Senn HD580, the character of the source clashing with the smoothness of the cans. That doesn't mean that they sound awful together, but those of you who use Senns as your main cans might skip the 0404 and instead consider the the 1212m, which is supposed to have a more refined tonal character than the 0404. Comparatively, my previous source, the Audiophile USB w/ upgraded PS, had better synergy with the Senns while not sounding as good with the Etys.
However, in terms of more technical aspects such as detail and dynamic range, I think there is absolutely no room for doubt that the EMU 0404 is a better source than the Audiophile USB, and also presumably the Audiophile 24/96, which I remember sounding similar to the Audiophile USB and is priced similarly to the EMU. I have not heard the 1212m so I cannot compare, but I have little doubt that the 0404 is the best bang for buck card in its price class. Whether it is worth upgrading to the 1212m seems to depend not so much the SQ, but more importantly synergy (as noted above), your musical preferences, and whether you have two PCI slots free. I didn't.
One thing I have yet to figure out is how to bypass the input mixer for both Wave and ASIO. When I insert the Send function for one of them, I mute the other, and the only way I can Send both inputs to the analog out is if I insert the Send function into the Main mix, leaving the individual inputs alone. However, that is not bypassing the input mixer, and only bypassing the main mixer. Also, it seems as one cannot send to a single channel from two separate inputs. Anyone have any tips? Anyway, enough with technicalities. Let's move on to the sound.
Some people (more than one) said that the EMU 0404 has more of a "strong, dynamic" sound to it than a "refined" one, I have to agree. As a result, it is a source that does rock or electronic music rather well, but is perhaps not suited for genres such as jazz. As for classical, it does well on exciting pieces such as Night on a Bald Mountain (taking an extreme example here), but doesn't do as well on the the more softer or emotional pieces.
As for synergy, I've found that it seems to mate rather well with the Ety 4P/S, not detracting from their detail while adding the dynamicness and musicality that they sorely need (IMO). On the other hand, it doesn't seem to get along too well with the Senn HD580, the character of the source clashing with the smoothness of the cans. That doesn't mean that they sound awful together, but those of you who use Senns as your main cans might skip the 0404 and instead consider the the 1212m, which is supposed to have a more refined tonal character than the 0404. Comparatively, my previous source, the Audiophile USB w/ upgraded PS, had better synergy with the Senns while not sounding as good with the Etys.
However, in terms of more technical aspects such as detail and dynamic range, I think there is absolutely no room for doubt that the EMU 0404 is a better source than the Audiophile USB, and also presumably the Audiophile 24/96, which I remember sounding similar to the Audiophile USB and is priced similarly to the EMU. I have not heard the 1212m so I cannot compare, but I have little doubt that the 0404 is the best bang for buck card in its price class. Whether it is worth upgrading to the 1212m seems to depend not so much the SQ, but more importantly synergy (as noted above), your musical preferences, and whether you have two PCI slots free. I didn't.
