All computer audio cards are Digital to Analogue Convertors on the output and Anlogue to Digitial on the inputs. See en.wikipedia.org

Yes, but I think he's basically asking of what quality they are. They're probably not as bad as a Soundblaster, not as good as an Apogee, but somwhere in the middle like M-Audio, Motu etc. giving solid sound without obscene cost.

The Rane SSL1 is only CD spec DAC/ADC i.e. 16Bit 44.1Khz. The M-Audio range all seems to support 24Bit with 48, 88.2 and higher sample rates. This menas if you are converting from Analogue to Digital you would gain some benifit, but since SSL1 is intended for MP3s (which are at 44.1Khz,16Bit) it makes no difference.

But that doesn't answer the question about the 57. I couldn't load www.rane.com website to look at the 57 since it seems to be down at the mo. I am expecting that it supports 24Bit and numerious other sample rates as it can be used to record as well as play, and has soundcard functionalty as well as the Fx stuff.

The 57 uses 24bit converters but only allows recording at 16bit (currently), not sure if that is something that will change. I would agree with jizzer that the converters are probably on a par with those used in M-Audio cards like the Delta 1010.

Maybe Steve will see this and let us know, on the other hand it may be something they don't want to tell people.

You maybe right about the fact they dont want to tell people but I hope youre not!
D

USB 1.1 with that many channels going up and down the bus will only get ya 16bit and 44.1kHz.

Should have gone for the PCM1804's for that extra dynamic range!

i'd say it doesnt matter since even 24 bits exceed what most ppl use to store their digital audio, only advantage i can think of is running the dsp effects from pressed vinyl

The PCM1803 has way better dynamic range and resolution than any vinyl could ever have.

Cheers for the info.
D

Rane dudes. How do you guys pack so much into your gear for such a low price?!?!?! Your procurement department must break some people's legs when they negotiate parts prices. :-)

They all work for free ;)

they do it for the culture.

I picture it more like Santa Claus with his elves working because they like making people happy.

Relatively speaking ... and considering gear in the same class, Rane gear is NOT low price. Gemini, NuCrap and Stanton are low price and it reflects in their performance. With Rane I believe you get every bit of your money's worth.

Does that mean it can be changed to run from 24/44 to 24/96 via firmware if needed?

I was just wondering. So even when ASIO drivers are released, I can only record at 24/44 into Sonar or Cubase, right?

Yes, but does it have the warmth in the sound of the PCM1804s? ;)

16/44, the channels on the USB are dithered down to 16bit. The mixer only operates at 24bit internally.

I was recording my (real) analogue synth yesterday through the 57 and the result was pretty good I thought. I also have a RME fireface, but I haven't A/B compared yet. Will post up when I do.

24Bit internally or 32Bit?

I thought it was 24bit, could be 32bit.