Source
r/WeAreTheMusicMakers•
0KCal

Emu 1616; what is the modern equivalent?

Hey

I had (have) an Emu 1616m, which I absolutely loved. I used it when I was purely on laptop for a number of years.

I am now older and wiser, and have settled down to a sick PC rig, so I am now looking for a new audio interface to replace my trusty 1616m.

I have been out of the audio game for a few years now, so don't know anything about the latest shizzle, so if anyone can advise me about what is out there, in the same kind of zone as the Emu 1616m, I would be very grateful. To reiterate, this is for a desktop, not a laptop (but if I could have the ability to use it for both, that would be cool (USB?))

Cheers!

Posted Oct 9, 2014, 1:15 PM UTC

517
ohlookanothercat•

What don't you like about the Emu?

1
0KCalOP•

I like everything.

The 1616m is the laptop version with a PCMCIA connection. Can't use it with my desktop.

Also, it is discontinued now, so the software is out of date (and not on Windows7, etc).

I need a new, up to date one, basically.

1
ohlookanothercat•

Ah right, didn't realise that was the PCMCIA version. I used to have an Emu interface. What's your budget and how many ins/outs do you need? Would you prefer an internal or external interface?

1
0KCalOP•

Yeah, it is an interface from around 2005, when USB was sitting between USB1.0 and USB2.0 on laptops, so the pro-audio guys used PCMCIA until things got sorted.

Hmmm, well the 1616m box was completely perfect for me, when combined with the software.

  • 2 XLRs, with 2 mono jacks in the middle.
  • Volume control on the front
  • Headphone jack for monitoring
  • 6 ins and 6outs on the back (mono jack) plus 3 mini-jack outs.

The software was great too, as it had built in software fx (which were not amazing quality, but were good functional stuff for live performance and things like lo-passing bass for late night work, etc), and also allowed for the absolutely bonkers routing of anything to anything.

The Mic amps were excellent too, so if there is anything that can do all this, and is a similar physical size with decent mic amps, and is USB (not sure if and how that slows things down nowadays(?)) that you could recommend, that would be great.

1
ohlookanothercat•

I use a Focusrite Pro 24 which is really great but Firewire. I hear good things about their USB interfaces as well, though because of my good experiences with the Firewire interface I'd consider a Firewire card. The accompanying software has all the routing options you'd ever want.

This is only my personal experience so if anyone else has an interface they like and would like the weigh in then go ahead!

1
[deleted]•

Got plenty of options.

Stienberg has a relatively new UR series of usb interfaces. Focusrite Scarlet series is pretty popular right now. You're pretty much going to get the same features with most usb interfaces. Honestly you're not really going to be getting any sort of upgrade in terms of AD/DA as emu's stuff is really damn good in that regard. You're basically going to be paying for the benefit of USB flexibility.

BTW if you don't want that 1616m I'd love to take the breakout box off your hands!

1
0KCalOP•

Hey

Yeah, I realise the AD/DA in the Emu I have is excellent. I remember the sound being superb. Really thick and heavy and powerful.

Ha, if anyone wants to sell me the PCI card for an E-Mu 1616m, I will happily buy it from them!

1
[deleted]•

I'd sell you my 1212m but I would have to sell it for enough to get say a focusrite scarlet 2i2 and I doubt I would get $150 for the 1212.

1
0KCalOP•

Edit; Oh yeah? Where are you based?

1
[deleted]•

Ohio

1