Pro Tools 11 Compatible Sound Cards?

[Faze]

I've recently built a computer specifically for using Pro Tools 11, however I'm curious as to which sound card would be the best to use with it. Are PCI audio interfaces currently outdated? My current processor is i7-4770k, and motherboard is Z87 Sabertooth. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
My main goal is to relay MIDI audio from my Roland XP-60 to my PC. I also have a Pro FX8 mixer. Thank you!

[albee1952]

PCI is pretty much dead(your mobo may not even have a PCI slot). Before any recommendations, there are questions to be answered:
How many live inputs(and outputs) are needed at any one time?
Does the motherboard have onboard audio?
What is your budget?

[mesaone]

Z87 has no PCI slots. Several PCIe slots, though (but PCI and PCIe are not interchangeable).

PCIe interfaces will actually have less latency and generally more stability than USB and Firewire stuff. So if there is a PCIe interface you want, go for it. Just make sure you're not getting Soundblaster or any other interface branded as "entertainment" or "gaming", since those focus more on home theater functionality than recording and critical playback. Most PCIe interfaces are going to be pretty high end, so you and your wallet might be better off going with a cheaper USB or Firewire option - especially if you don't need a large simultaneous I/O count (I would consider 8in/8out to be a fairly low I/O count)

[Shan]

Originally Posted by Faze

I've recently built a computer specifically for using Pro Tools 11, however I'm curious as to which sound card would be the best to use with it. Are PCI audio interfaces currently outdated? My current processor is i7-4770k, and motherboard is Z87 Sabertooth. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
My main goal is to relay MIDI audio from my Roland XP-60 to my PC. I also have a Pro FX8 mixer. Thank you!

For best compatibility with PT, I myself would go with Avid hardware I/O. PCIe is the way to go. Welcome to the forum.

Shane

[Bill Denton]

FWIW...unless dealing with technical specifics, many of us use "PCI" to refer to any PCI-type card/slot...

[Bill Denton]

Another FWIW...

The decision tree looks like this...

Choose DAW software.

Choose interface (sound card) that works well with selected DAW software.

Choose computer that works well with selected interface and DAW software.

But since here we are dealing with a fait accompli vis-à-vis the DAW and computer, I give a +1 to the suggestion of using an Avid interface...

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Bill Denton

Another FWIW...

The decision tree looks like this...

Choose DAW software.

Choose interface (sound card) that works well with selected DAW software.

Choose computer that works well with selected interface and DAW software.

But since here we are dealing with a fait accompli vis-à-vis the DAW and computer, I give a +1 to the suggestion of using an Avid interface...

But the op would be restricted to mBox series; he apparently already has PT11 vanilla and unless he is willing to spend the bucks for HD then Avid pcie isn't a choice. If he wants to stay with pcie I'd seriously take a look at the Apogee Symphony series with their own pcie card setup. 32 analog ins, 32 analog outs in one box - Avid can't begin to touch that.

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by musicman691

I'd seriously take a look at the Apogee Symphony series with their own pcie card setup. 32 analog ins, 32 analog outs in one box - Avid can't begin to touch that.

Symphony is Mac only :
http://apogeedigital.com/products/sy...patibility.php


I'm guessing you mean they can't compete only when it comes to I/O?
From what I read conversion quality wise both are great.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by chrisdee

Symphony is Mac only :
http://apogeedigital.com/products/sy...patibility.php

Darn - forgot about that

[nst7]

Originally Posted by chrisdee

Symphony is Mac only :
http://apogeedigital.com/products/sy...patibility.php


I'm guessing you mean they can't compete only when it comes to I/O?
From what I read conversion quality wise both are great.

I think he meant value for money if someone needs 32 ins and outs.