E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface

Record your music easily and professionally with the E-MU 0404 MIDI audio interface. 61 People rated this product:

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zZounds' Take on E-MU 0404 USB

Think about recording as taking a picture of your music. The Polaroid-quality of the old four track tape machines had its charm, but you want your computer-based recordings to be be crisp, clear, and colorful. The E-MU 0404 is one of the most accurate USB audio interfaces available, and at a price that's simply unbeatable. It employs ultra-low-noise preamps, very high quality converters, and a streamlined design to create a pristine recording path from the real world of your studio to the digital world of your recording computer.

E-MU 0404 USB Has Unmatched Analog-Digital Conversion

The most impressive spec on the E-MU 0404 USB is this one: 24-bit, 192kHz analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. It's the highest resolution you can get in a USB audio interface, and it means the most accurate possible picture of your performances.

E-MU 0404 USB: Super-Low Noise And Low-Jitter

Of course, ultra-high resolution would only expose the flaws of lesser-grade components, so the E-MU 0404 is pro-quality throughout its entire signal path. A pair of XTC class-A preamps provide crystal-clear recording with microphones and direct instruments, and are capable of supporting studio-quality condenser microphones that require a full 48v of phantom power for operation. These preamps feature a unique soft-clipping limiter that allows for higher input gain without the risk of harsh digital distortion. The 0404 is also outfitted with a top-notch word clock that keeps conversion sampling rates consistent. This oft-overlooked feature eliminates the digital "jitter" inherent in USB audio interfaces, and markedly improves low-end focus and mid-range clarity.

The E-MU 0404 USB Has Plenty Of Ins And Outs For Audio And MIDI

Every input and output you'll need for professional recording is on the E-MU 0404. You get a pair of combination XLR/line-level/Hi-Z inputs for connecting studio microphones, synthesizers, or direct recording guitars and basses. Digital S/PDIF in and out allows for the connection of external, digital recording processors and preamps, and full MIDI I/O easily integrates external sequencers and sound modules.

Get Zero-Latency Direct Monitoring with the E-MU 0404 USB

Not all USB interfaces include direct monitoring but the 0404 has it. Direct monitoring is the only way to record delay-free overdubs without having to setup complicated latency delay compensation settings in your recording software. Direct monitoring is the key to professional-level multitrack recording, and the 0404 provides hardware monitoring through headphones or balanced line-outputs to powered studio monitors.

The E-MU 0404 USB is a Truly Plug-N-Play Interface

The E-MU 0404 sets up in seconds, and ships with drivers for every OS--even 64-bit Windows Vista drivers are included. You also get demo or "lite" versions of some of the most popular recording software on the planet, so you can start tracking right out of the box with your E-MU 0404.

Clarity, stability, and instant set-up. If you're looking to capture accurate studio performances and get the most bang for your project budget buck, you just can't go wrong with the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface.

Manufacturer's Description for E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface

E-MU's new 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface delivers an unparalleled level of audio performance to your PC with premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters, pristine XTC mic/line/hi-Z preamps, ultra-low jitter clock and rock-solid stability. From its plug-and-play functionality and hands-on ergonomic design to professional features and signal-to-noise specs that are simply unmatched by any other USB interface on the market, the 0404 USB will forever change your expectations of USB audio. The E-MU 0404 USB also ships with the E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle that includes E-MU's Proteus VX, as well as software by Cakewalk, Steinberg, Ableton, IK Multimedia, and many more -- everything you need to create, record, edit and master your music.

E-MU 0404 USB White Limited Edition Model

A fresh updated look to one of the most popular USB audio interfaces being sold on the market today. The new White "Limited Edition" E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface for Mac and PC delivers the same great performance and spec's as E-MU's classic Gray 0404 USB unit along with a new updated Vista-compatible software bundle.

E-MU 0404 USB Features:

- Premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters (A/D: 113dB SNR, D/A: 117dB SNR) deliver unmatched USB audio fidelity
- E-MU XTC Class-A ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifiers (-127dB EIN) with 48V phantom power and ground lift switches enable you to plug microphones, keyboards and guitars straight into your computer with professional results, while the built-in analog soft limiting circuit lets you record a hotter signal without fear of clipping
- Comprehensive digital I/O with optical and coaxial S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU) and MIDI In/Out to easily connect all of your digital studio gear and instruments
- Ultra-low latency Windows XP and x64 USB 2.0 drivers offer accurate timing and playback of your recorded audio and software instruments
- Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono/stereo) allows you to record and overdub with no annoying delay
- Plug-and-play operation with hands-on control of all major functions like master level, direct monitoring, preamplifier controls and more
- Compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications (ASIO2, WDM, MME - AC3 and DTS Passthru supported)

* Mac OS X drivers available right now

I/O Configuration:

- 2 E-MU XTC Ultra-low Noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamps with Soft Limiter and 48V Phantom Power (-127dBu EIN)
- 2 x 1/4 in. Balanced Outputs (117dB SNR)
- Stereo 1/8 in. Speaker Output (117dB SNR)
- 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Optical In/Out (Switchable to AES/EBU)
- 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Coaxial In/Out (Switchable to AES/EBU)
- MIDI Input/Output
- Stereo Headphone Output (114dB SNR) zZounds is an authorized dealer of E-MU products.

Minimum System Requirements
Intel or AMD processor -- 1.2 GHz or faster

Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard & chipset

Microsoft Windows XP (SP 2 or greater) or Windows XP x64

1 available (Hi-speed) USB 2.0 port*

256MB System RAM

900MB 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 using a USB 1.1 port, performance will be limited to 16-bit and 44.1/48kHz recording and playback

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 2.0 Hi-Speed
- Full 24-bit resolution at all sample rates
- 4in/4 out channels from 44.1-96kHz
- 2 in/2 out channels from 176.4-192kHz

Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring (disabled at 176.4-192kHz)

ASIO2, WDM, MME - AC3 and DTS Passthru supported

Anti-Pop speaker protection minimizes noise during power on/off

Ultra-low jitter clock subsystem: < 500ps RMS in PLL mode (48kHz, Coaxial S/PDIF Sync)

Combo Microphone Preamplifier/Hi-Z/Line Inputs (2)
Type: E-MU XTC combo mic preamplifier and Hi-Z/line input w/ Soft Limiter

A/D converter: AK5385A

Gain Range: +60dB

Frequency Response (min gain, 20Hz-20kHz): +0.0/-0.16dB

Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz min gain, -1dBFS): < -110dB

Hi-Z Line Input:
- Input Impedance: 1Mohm
- Max Level: +12dBV (14.2dBu)
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted, 1kHz, min gain): 113dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted, min gain): 113dB
- THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS, min gain): -101dB (.0009%)

Microphone Preamplifier:
- Input Impedance: 1.5Kohms
- Max Level: +6dBV (+8.2dBu)
- EIN (20Hz-20kHz, 150ohm, unweighted): -127dBu
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted, min gain): 112.5dB
- THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS, min gain): -101dB (.0009%)
- Phantom Power: 48V
- Soft Limiter: 5dB max compression (software selectable)

Analog Line Outputs (2)
Type: balanced, AC-coupled, 2-pole low-pass differential filter

D/A converter: AK4396

Level (auto detect):
- Professional: +12dBV max (balanced)
- Consumer: +6dBV max (unbalanced)

Frequency Response (20Hz - 20kHz): 0.06/-.035dB

Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 117dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 117dB

THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -100dB (.001%)

Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): < -114.5dB

Headphone Amplifier
Type: Class-A power amplifier

D/A converter: AK4396 (shared with Line Out)

Gain Range: 60dB

Maximum Output Power: 20mW

Output impedance: 22ohms

Frequency Response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.06/-0.035dB

Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 114dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 114dB

THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 600ohm load: -95.5dB (.0018%)

Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 600 ohm load): < -85dB

Digital I/O
S/PDIF:
- 2 in/2 out coaxial (transformer coupled)
- 2 in/2 out optical
- AES/EBU or S/PDIF format (software selectable)

MIDI
- 1 in, 1 out

Synchronization
Internal crystal sync at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz

External sample rate sync via
- Optical S/PDIF (44.1 - 96kHz)
- Coaxial S/PDIF (44.1 - 96kHz)

Retail Box Contents
E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 AudioPod

USB cable

Universal power adaptor

Quick Start installation guide

E-MU Software/Manual CD-ROM
- Windows XP and x64 Drivers
- Owner's Manual and Tutorials

E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle CD-ROM
- Cakewalk SONAR LE
- Steinberg Cubase LE
- Ableton Live Lite 4 for E-MU
- Steinberg Wavelab Lite
- IK Multimedia AmpliTube LE
- SFX Machine LT
- Minnetonka diskWelder BRONZE (trial)
- E-MU Proteus(R) VX (over 1000 sounds included)

Cross-platform support (Windows XP/x64 and Mac OS X) and compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications (Windows: ASIO2, WDM, MME, AC-3 and DTS Passthru; Macintosh: Apple CoreAudio, CoreMIDI, AC-3 and DTS Passthru)

E-MU Warranty EMU Warranty All E-MU hardware products have a full 1-year warranty with repair or replacement at the manufacturer's discretion. If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 831-438-1921

zZounds is an
authorized E-MU dealer

This item cannot be returned once opened due to copyright law. details

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "zZounds' Play as You Pay installment plan is a godsend for working musicians like me who frequently run into cash-flow problems." - customer on January 21st, 2012

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5 (61 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 9 E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Reviews

"High quality but not in every way!"

Sound: This device records in a scientific way. There is no coloring to the sound. Most devices sound a lot warmer than the Emu 0404, so dont't be surprised by that. It's not a bad thing to have a raw recording without any character. You do have to warm it up yourself if you like such sounds. Allmost no noise, I never found devices without such a low noise level. The sound is fantastic with mikes, but the device is EXTREMELY difficult to adjust when you want to prevent distortion. Especially with line and guitar recording. The potmeters are connected to electronics that mess with the value. Over a certain point, amplification is boosted beyond control, no matter how carefull you turn the knobs. Good headphone port quality. Never heard clearer playback of recordings, and I work at a TV station where they use pro stuff. Feature: You have zero latency monitoring. This is it's main value along with the low noise AD and DA converters. It does work very well with powerfull computers. My 2008 PC dual core notebook, has some stutters when playing or recording but most of the time the stutter is not in the recorded file, it's just a playback problem. However, use a powerfull PC! It helps a lot. XLR in is nice to have, even the line jacks are balanced if you want to. S/PDIF is there but I have not used it yet. It seems S/PDIF out is not always available! Phantom power, which works. Has MIDI in and out but never tested it yet. The guitar input is crap. This is no real Hi-Z input! It should be done with a switch because you really need to change the impedance of the input for guitars. Emu claims it can be done with the stageless potmeters but forget it. Even with a phantom powered DI box, guitars still don't sound great. No high frequencies... You have sample frequencies up to 192kHz but not with Mac and S/PDIF also stops at 96kHz. This does not matter, it's over the top. For normal music stuff I use 48kHz at 24 bit. You can go to 32 bit. You can't do field recordings because it needs EXTERNAL 5 volt power. You could make a battery thing, but that won't last long because I feel a bit of heat which means quite some power use. Ease of Use: You must know a thing or two about the system menu of your PC configuration screen and how to adjust sound cards. If not, you'll need a nerd. The software is outdated but still very useable. Cubase LE works fine but you really need to read a lot about it. Wake the card up in the VST section and connect it to channels on the timeline or mixer. It took me one day to find that out but I'm no musician at all. The Amplitube software did not work but they gave me a free new product which works fine. It's not that great but good enough for what I payed for the entire set. I never tested the other software, that comes with it. Proteus looks like something nice but it's only a guess. Quality: I love-hate it. As said the converters and inputs are very high quality without any noise. If you hear noise, it's your gear. The adjustment of the recordings however, is very problematic. The knobs are too rough and the inputs too sensitive for distortion. The LED meters are far too rough, use your PC. I'm a very precise person, so don't think it's me. The guitar option is total crap. No real Hi-Z The house is made of flimsy plastic with flimsy knobs, but if you do not let your childeren operate it, it will last. The soft clipping option does NOT work. It's creates instant Jimi Hendrix distortion. I don't understand how it's design could have left the lab like this. The little knobs to lift ground level are also b*llsh*t. When I had a groundloop noise, those switches just turned the sound into maximum power 60Hz humm. Value: 200 euro is too much regarding the flaws it has. It would be worth 400 euro's if the distortion and the guitarport were fixed! And I would have payed for that! Manufacturer Support: The support reacts within the day but they can't do anything about the stupid design flaws anymore ofcourse. The Wow Factor: I had a good nerdy appeal to it, but it does not completely do what is says. It's a photo model with false teeth and a wig. Overall: There is no good USB audio device. Believe me. All others have loads of noise and considerably worse microphone inputs. The Emu is the only one without these sound problems and it is the only one with zero latency. Tascam has no zero latency and clicks with guitars, Line6 devices have bad mike inputs, Edirol stutters all the time etc. etc. I'll have to live with the impossible recordlevel knobs and I'll have to build or buy a decent guitar input, with real impedance adjustment. Even a DI box did not give me what I wanted.

Style of Music: All kinds of recordings and styles

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E-MU 0404 USB Interface Customer Review

Sound: just look at the specs. Feature: good enough. Ease of Use: pretty straight forward. Quality: it's plastic. Value: 113db SNR for this price? By far the best audio I/O under $600! Manufacturer Support: no problems yet. Overall: This product has made mixing a lot easier. I usually don't have to worry about the noise floor anymore.

15 of 17 people (88.24%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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Read all 9 E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Reviews