i want to start doing some surround mixing on my 17" powerbook (with dp4 for now, perhaps other software in the future), and i'm shopping around to figure out what i need. i want to start producing some 5.1 sound for dvd, so i will also probably be working in final cut and/or dvd studio pro.
as far as speakers, i am currently looking at:
- the klipsch ultra 5.1 system. this seems like a great, balanced multimedia audio system for monitoring the surround mix, but it only has the 1/8" inputs so that limits what kind of output device i can use from the computer. the satellites are all 2 way, however, and the subwoofer is very tight and well-matched, from what i have read online.
- the m-audio lx4 system (there's the expander set with 3 more satellites). this seems to be a semi-pro monitoring solution, but this surprisingly doesn't seem to have the same bass response that the klipsch does (40hz-20khz vs 25hz-20khz) , nor an external controller or shielded center speaker.
- the alesis proactive 5.1 system. this looks promising, and it has a digital input which simplifies the connection. it is, by the way, completely identical to the logitech z-680 system.
as far as an output card i'm eyeing:
- the egosys gigaport ag. 8 rca outputs, one spdif output, usb interface. it says it handles 24bit audio, i'm not sure of the rate though (44.1? 96? can't find any info...).
- the m-audio firewire 410 or audiophile. i want to get some high quality input on my powerbook, so this would be killing two birds with one stone.
all of the interfaces i mentioned should be able to put out the discreet channels, correct?
i want to try and keep my costs under $1000 for all of the hardware. i am not a professional, nor do i make money doing this at this time. its just a serious hobby and something i plan to get more involved with as i learn more. some of the reviews i've been reading online complain about the, well, "computer speaker"-iness of the boxed packages like the alesis i mentioned. however, i've been happy working on a $30 open-box 2.1 creative computer speaker system for a while, so ANYTHING will be an improvement, really.
please help!! thanks
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