Echo G3?

[Unrepresented]

Okay, so I've been an Echo Gina 20 user for as long as I've been doing home recording (almost all trial and error self-taught for six years or so).

My computer is struggling with driver issues that I'm assuming are coming from ancient hardware -- I've rebuilt this computer several times and the parts range from less than a year to six or seven. I just reinstalled XP and the problems continue so I'm assuming that it's gotta be a hardware side issue.

Anyway, that leads me to my question, I'm going to troubleshoot (throw money at) my computer until it stops crashing, and my soundcard is currently high on the list of suspects.

a) Is there a consensus on Echo's current line, the G3 -- either the Gina or the Layla products? I've been happy with the brand so far, no sense in changing over if they've done me right so far.

b) Are they both actual soundcards with a separate breakout box or are they a self-contained unit that connects via firewire or usb?

c) Someone give me a convincing argument for why I need to purchase the Layla instead of the Gina so I can justify it when my girlfriend finds out how much I spent, even though I can't really see where I'd need any of the additional features 99% of the time.

Thanks,

Justin

[Fathand]

As far as I know, you can get the Layla with firewire or as a PCI-card powered breakout box. Don't know about the Gina (Echo Audio's website will help).

I had the PCI version of the Layla, and miss it a lot right now. I've been fighting with my new Mbox 2 (USB) that gives me constant interrupts and generally doesn't work like it should. Something to do with my PC's hardware or software..

The Layla worked fine for me, but I had to let it go because I couldn't find any reasons to have a 8 I/O soundcard when I demo 99% of my stuff at home just by myself. But if you have the need for, let's say drum recording, it would be just great...

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Fathand

The Layla worked fine for me, but I had to let it go because I couldn't find any reasons to have a 8 I/O soundcard when I demo 99% of my stuff at home just by myself. But if you have the need for, let's say drum recording, it would be just great...

Yeah, I've never needed more than two inputs for anything I've ever recorded at home either, but:

a) I'd like to have the potential to do more -- who knows what my next project will involve?

b) The Gina appears to only have XLR ins, that means I'm either going to have to spring for converters or new modeling equipment. Fine for mic'ing, but like most home studios I do a lot of stuff right out of my V-Amp.

c) It'd be nice to leave everything plugged in (keys, V-Amp, Vox, etc) and just swap an input selector drag down on my recording software than swapping cables all the time.

(that's as far as I've gotten with the convincing girlfriend I need a Layla... any additional aid is appreciated)

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

b) The Gina appears to only have XLR ins, that means I'm either going to have to spring for converters or new modeling equipment. Fine for mic'ing, but like most home studios I do a lot of stuff right out of my V-Amp.

c) It'd be nice to leave everything plugged in (keys, V-Amp, Vox, etc) and just swap an input selector drag down on my recording software than swapping cables all the time.

If the Gina has the same (main) inputs than Layla, then they're the combined sort (don't know the exact name) that can take a normal instrument plug OR an XLR.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Fathand

If the Gina has the same (main) inputs than Layla, then they're the combined sort (don't know the exact name) that can take a normal instrument plug OR an XLR.

Thanks for your help.

Made the purchase yesterday, should be here by early next week I'm guessing. Now I just have to solve the rest of my PC problems to accomodate it.

I've been sidelined from recording for over six months now and I've got at least an albums worth of songs I'm wanting to nail down. Hopefully this will bring it together.