Emu 1212M PCI 24-Bit/192kHz Balanced Interface (Windows)

No longer available at zZounds
Mastering-grade 24-bit, 192kHz converters. Flexible connectivity. E-DSP 32-bit Multi-effects Processor.

The E-MU 1212M PCI Digital Audio System delivers everything you need to produce audio on a PC with professional results -- 24-bit/192kHz converters (the same A/D converters used in Digidesign's flagship Pro Tools HD 192 I/O interface), hardware-accelerated effects and mixing, and seamless compatibility with your favorite PC audio/sequencer software. Whether you are recording full-blown productions or running virtual instruments on a dedicated computer, the E-MU 1212M Digital Audio System is the perfect solution for any application that only requires a couple channels of premium analog I/O (i.e. mastering, remixing and running virtual instruments).

Features
Mastering-grade 24-bit, 192kHz converters -- the same A/D converters used in Digidesign's flagship Pro Tools HD I/O Interface

Flexible connectivity with 1/4 in. balanced analog I/O, 24/192 ADAT I/O and 24/96 S/PDIF I/O plus MIDI I/O for seamless integration with your entire studio

E-DSP 32-bit Multi-effects Processor offers you over 16 simultaneous hardware-accelerated studio-grade effects with no CPU overhead -- plug-in architecture allows you to add new effects as needed

32 Channels of zero latency Hardware Mixing/ Monitoring with super-flexible virtual patchbay -- no external mixer needed

Full compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications with ultra-low latency WDM, DirectSound and ASIO 2.0 Drivers

Powerful software studio package

1212M I/O Configuration

Two 1/4 in. Balanced Inputs

24-bit/192kHz read more ADAT In/Out (switchable to S/PDIF)

24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF In/Out (switchable to AES/EBU)

MIDI In/Out

The E-MU 1212M ships with a comprehensive audio software package.

E-MU's new Digital Audio Systems deliver everything you need to produce audio on a PC with professional results - 24-bit/192kHz converters, hardware-accelerated effects and mixing, comprehensive sync options and seamless compatibility with your favorite PC audio/sequencer software. E-MU Systems has teamed up with the Creative Advanced Technology Center, a world leader in ASIC and algorithm development for PC audio, to develop the new line of Creative Professional hardware interfaces that stand toe-to-toe with the most advanced and expensive audio systems in the world.

All three Digital Audio Systems ship with a PCI card that features ADAT and S/PDIF interfaces, as well as connectivity to a family of internal and external I/O and sync options. Whether you are recording full-blown productions or running virtual instruments on a dedicated computer, E-MU's Digital Audio Systems deliver everything needed to create professional-quality music on your PC at a price that will change your expectations of desktop recording forever.
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General Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz from internal crystal or externally supplied clock (no sample rate conversion)

Bit Depth: 16 or 24 bits

PCI Bus-Mastering DMA subsystem reduces CPU usage

Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring w/effects

Analog Line Inputs Type: Servo-balanced, DC-coupled, low-noise input circuitry

Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu maximum (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV maximum (unbalanced)

Frequency Response: +/- .05dB, 20Hz - 22kHz

THD+N (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): -110dB

SNR (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): 120.7dB, A-weighted

Dynamic Range: 121dB, A-weighted

Channel Crosstalk: < -125dB, 1kHz signal at -1dBFS

Analog Line Outputs Type: Balanced, low-noise, 2-pole low-pass differential filter

Level (software selectable):
-Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu maximum (balanced)
-Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV maximum (unbalanced)

Frequency Response: 0.0/-.35dB, 20Hz - 20kHz

THD+N (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): -105dB

SNR (1kHz signal at -1dBFS): 121.8dB, A-weighted

Dynamic Range: 123.6dB, A-weighted

Dynamic Range: 123.6dB, A-weighted

Digital I/O S/PDIF:
-2 in/2 out coaxial (transformer coupled)
-AES/EBU or S/PDIF format, switchable under software control

ADAT:
-8 channels, 24-bit @ 44.1/48kHz
-4 channels, 24-bit @ 96kHz (S-MUX compatible)
-2 channels, 24-bit @ 192kHz

Minimum System Requirements
Genuine Intel Pentium III or AMD K6 class processor or higher operating at 500MHz or faster

Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard & chipset

128MB System RAM

500MB of free hard disk space for full installation

Windows 2000 SP 4, Windows XP SP 1 or greater and Windows Vista

PCI 2.1 compliant slot for E-MU 1010 PCI card

Adjacent PCI slot for E-MU 0202 I/O daughter card

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive required for software installation

XVGA Video (1024 X 768)

In the Box...
E-MU 1010 PCI card

E-MU 0202 I/O daughter card

I/O card cable

Mini-DIN MIDI adapter cables

Quick Start guide

Operation Manual on CD-ROM

Creative Professional Software CD-ROM
-Windows 2000 and XP Drivers
-E-MU PatchMix DSP
-E-MU E-DSP FX Library

Audio software package on CD-ROM

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (154 ratings)
Submitted November 11, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Top Quality, Nice Price"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'm really happy with where this has taken my music. The low latency has shown me the way for VSTi's (do not try it with an Audigy series card) and the sound is just unbeatable, all for a very fair price.

Sound
I recently built a home studio on a budget. I started with an M-Audio Delta 1010LT, but that didn't have balanced I/O, which meant more potential noise than I wanted to worry about. So I returned it and got the 1212M. I'm currently mixerless until I decide on the perfect one, but I'm managing fine with the PatchMix software as my mixer for now. First off, the overall quality is incredible. Everything is incredibly clear and flat coming through my Behringer Truth B2031A's... The 1212M's DSP effects are a lifesaver, especially when it comes to equalizing the signal for a "hifi home stereo speaker" sound. Mindblowing clarity.

Features
I don't see the average home recording dude needing the 0202 daughter card, but maybe I'm wrong. I wish I could have just bought the 1010 PCI card and saved some cash, but E-MU doesn't sell it by itself right now. STMPE? Word clock? Well, I guess it's better to have too much than too little. Maybe I'll have a use for them some day...

Quality
Nice, but I have to agree with the guy who said the daughter card should have just been put on an extra cable (or whatever) instead. Not a major gripe, though.

Value
This thing is read more just barely more than an Audigy 2 was when it orginally came out... And the difference is night and day. Awesome value for a recording-quality card with low latency, great software, DSP effects, etc.

Manufacturer Support
No idea. Why doesn't Zzounds include a "N/A" in their rating choices?

The Wow Factor
This is a great card. I wish they would have included more balanced 1/4" inputs instead of the SMTPE and word clock stuff. It would be much more useful for us average home-recording-guitarist types.

Musical Background:
Part-time pro guitarist / electronic musician semi-noob

Musical Style:
Everything from ambient to metal.
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