Hi there. I have a small home studio doing voiceover work only. We use a
Shure SM7B Dynamic microphone into Adobe Audition (pc based Windows XP). My
question is:

Does anybody here have experience with the M-Audio Omni Studio and/or the
Aardvark Direct Pro 24/96?

We really only need one mic input, and I realize these units have more than
one. However, I am specifically interested in which system you think is
better and why.

We will be purchasing one or the other next week, so any and all opinions
will be appreciated.

Or, are we way off base with these systems? Is there something better in
the same price range?

Regards,
Darren

Or, are we way off base with these systems? Is there something better in
the same price range?

Regards,
Darren


I have personally never used the m audio card but I use an Aardvark
Pro 24/96 regularly and if you get it you will not be sorry. The
pre-amps aren't as good as say ... an Amek/Neve 9098 dual mic pre, or
even the Focusrite Octopre, both of which I also own, but they more
than hold up against the pre's on my Soundcraft M-8 which uses the
same pres as in the original Ghost console. They're not hi-end but
nothing to sneeze at, and essentially neutral. Interestingly, I
originally bought my Aardvark to record audiobooks. And for that it
does a smashing job. Also, it's pre-amps offer up to 70 dB of gain so
you'll have no problem shaking that SM-7 out of its torpor. I also own
an SM-7B and it sounds good into the Aardvark.

I use an aardvark 2496

Great, simple to use.

But its incompatible with certain mobo chipsets. If your using one of these
chipsets either get a different motherboard or use another soundcard.
Customer support was quick to return an email. I've heard they're very good
over the phone as well.

I use an nforce2 chipset and never had a problem. I've tried it on a via
board and I found it might function for a few minutes before the sound goes
funny and eventually crashes the computer.

from http://www.aardvarkaudio.com/support/hardware.html

Chipsets:
AMD : If a motherboard uses the AMD 750, 751, or any other chipset beginning
with 75, it is not compatible with our products. AMD ceased production of
these chipsets several years ago.
Other AMD chipsets, such as the 761, work just fine.

Intel : There are no reported incompatibilities with any Intel Chipsets

Nvidia : Currently, the Nvidia Nforce2 appears to be the best chipset for
AMD computers using our products.

The Nforce 420D may be problematic and cannot be recommended at this time.
All other Nvidia chipsets should work fine.

Sis : There is a possibility that some Sis machines may work. However, due
to inconsistent performance in pro audio environments, spanning well beyond
our products, we are unable to recommend or support Sis chipsets and
consider them incompatible..

Via : Via chipsets have a history of PCI throughput problems, adversely
effecting many high end PCI devices. In most cases, they will work with our
products, but we are unable to guarantee optimal performance. The VIA K8T800
chipset, found on some 64 bit AMD machines, is not compatible with our
products.

ATI: We cannot guarantee compatibility with ATI chipsets.

Note: If you are unsure what chipset your computer uses, consult the
literature that came with your motherboard/PC or contact the manufacturer .


"Newsguy" wrote in message
...
Hi there. I have a small home studio doing voiceover work only. We use a
Shure SM7B Dynamic microphone into Adobe Audition (pc based Windows XP).
My
question is:

Does anybody here have experience with the M-Audio Omni Studio and/or the
Aardvark Direct Pro 24/96?

We really only need one mic input, and I realize these units have more
than
one. However, I am specifically interested in which system you think is
better and why.

We will be purchasing one or the other next week, so any and all opinions
will be appreciated.

Or, are we way off base with these systems? Is there something better in
the same price range?

Regards,
Darren