More Quattro Grief, any insight will be much appreciated! Options

[xingu]

Hi folks,

I just bought a boatload of equipment in order to set myself up with a home recording studio, this being my first attempt at any kind of digital recording (read-I have no idea what I'm doing). So far, I've unsuccessfully attempted to use: an iMac G4 (384 RAM) on OS9.2 with an Audiosport Quattro and both Logic Delta (which was bundled with the thing) as well as Logic 4.7. After following all the installation instructions for OMS and the Quattro drivers (including dragging the Quattro's ASIO driver file into either of the two Logic ASIO folders), I get an error message that doesn't recognize the ASIO driver.

After scanning through some of the older posts, I see I'm not alone. However, I also recognize that there's a few lucky people out there that have somehow found a way to coexist with this horrid box.

Before I go ahead and just return the Quattro and write it off as a bonafide piece-o-crap, I'd like to see if anybody out there can offer some suggestions. If I can get it to work, I'd be pleased as punch. With what I'm trying to do, I need something that can handle both MIDI and audio - on first glance, there doesn't appear to be anything else out there that offers this combo (please correct me if I'm wrong) - especially in this price range ($260). Probably my fault for going cheap, but you would think that it wouldn't be such a difficult thing to get the Quattro to do what it is supposed to. Thanks in advance...

PS - I'm still waiting to hear from M-Audio

[TXL.]

Hi Xingu...

ha yeah...good luck hearing back from m-audio. their support sucks!

although i don't really know the nature of your ASIO error, check my post
(ASIO error - not enough memory)...I am using a similar setup as you, and I had problems with the Quattro, but I also had problems with other audio interfaces.
Check the replies to my post and see if any of their advice can help you out.

good luck,
jennifer

[rickenbacker]

If you want a cheap interface that handles both audio and midi, how about the Tascam US-224? It's got a control surface, too, so you get tape recorder-style controls for play/record/fast forward etc. Pretty good sound and it works with virtually every sequencer out there - OS X drivers coming soon, as well (I've tested them, so I know they work). Great website, too - really good support ethic. As for M-Audio, I've never heard anyone speak highly of any of their interfaces, so I don't even give them a second glance these days. Maybe it would be better to buy a decent audio interface and then a decent Midi interface - check the various posts here offering advice on the range available, because there's dozens of products out there. You definitely get what you pay for.

[Synthetic]

I don't own the Quattro myself but have a friend who bought one from my Sweetwater rep when they first debuted but now even he (Sweetwater Rep) is telling me they have lots of probs with them too. All he could suggest is to make sure you have their latest drivers installed and watch for extension conflicts.

That's really sad that such a neat and affordable little package like that wasn't given the proper research & development time to work out this issues. On the plus side... I have heard that they are releasing an OSX driver soon for it that will hopefully solve some of those probs but that might not matter much unless some of these music apps get onboard soon with OSX. I am REALLY ANTICIPATING the releases of new version of ProTools LE and Logic for OSX... so far the only big name player to make the move has been Digital Performer which is nice app but I am already dedicated to the other apps.

[damann]

dp does not currently work under osx, motu's site says it's due soon, but methinks emagic will beat it to the draw!
i've read about far too many problems with the quattro in these forums. scary stuff
get an emi2/6/mt4 or something else that actually WORKS...

[xingu]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

M-Audio has actually been decent about getting back to me - just not with the most helpful info. For one, they've told me that Logic RPC and Delta (the version that is bundled with the Quattro!) has a bug in it that creates ASIO errors - and so far, it remains unsolved. That still doesn't explain why the same thing happens with my full version of Logic...

Anyway, I don't have another audio app to test things out, so I think I'm done with the Quattro for now. Will probably look into the M-Box to get going with ProTools LE or possibly the US-428/Cubasis VST (plus MIDI, plus outboard controls). A quick look at the Tascam site is encouraging because it looks like they are pretty up on support. But this is turning into a different thread, so I'll do more damage elsewhere. Thanks again people. I'm learning a load just lurking around here.

[rickenbacker]

I know this is a reply to something xingu said as he wandered off topic, so sorry... but I just wanted to warn xingu that the version of Cubasis that comes bundled with the US-428 is RUBBISH!!! Don't even bother with it - you'll become frustrated with its limitations VERY quickly.

The Mbox/Pro Tools LE bundle is much better - PT LE is an excellent system, full 24-track multitracking with a fantastic virtual FX rack. The only drawback is that you can't use VST plugs with PT LE, of which there are hundreds free on the web.

Something else you might like to know - the commercial (ie full, unlimited, cost-ya-£50) version of Cubasis will not work with the US-428 or the US-224. They'll only work with Cubase VST. Weird, huh?