E-MU 0404

Bottom Line: This thing is quiet!!

I've used Yamaha 16/4 MX and Alesis Multimix USB...each one quieter than the one before for recording. In trying to find an easier/quieter device to interface with my computer I tried the RNP and BlueTube mic-preamps...both were noiser than the EMU-0404 USB. this is the first time recording in 24 bit, so perhaps that has something to do with the noise level,but I'm extremely happy with it reagrdless of how/why it's so quiet.

It only has two XLR/TRS connections, which is fine for me becuase I only record one instrument at a time and this allows me to record in stereo.

The one thing that bugs me about the unit is minor, but's it's the little things sometimes...it doesn't remember your settings when you turn it off. Luckily there are not many too deal with. The monitors for instance are defualted to off...perhaps a good thing so you don't get any popping when turning on the unit, but it means that I have to punch the monitors to main everytime I turn it on.

I go from my condensor mics into the EMU 0404 USB, then into my computer. I have used this with both XP and VISTA and no issues. I've used with Sony Acid Pro and Cubase, along with many other programs. If you are not computer savy then stay away from equipment that you hook to your computer. This is not difficult, but when using any software program you'll need some degree of computer saviness to set up the global settings and choose where the progrma is getting and sending it's I/O signal.

I don't use any of the E-MU software that came with it.

Have not used the midi, but do use the USB. Install drivers, plug in, configure your software I/O by choosing EMU-0404 and done.

Preamp quality rocks...very very quiet...I can't stress this enough.

Again, overall, very happy with the unit. Customer Service is very good as well. It is not made of steel and I think if it were dropped off a table it would probably break, but really this thing is not meant for the road...it's meant for a bedroom studio. I was hot swapping my condensor mics during recording with the 48v phantom power on and fried both my inputs with in the first 48 hours...doh! I sent it to Creative and they sent me a new one. I am very carefule with swapping out mics now....I turn the main power off each time to be conservative.

Soundcard for desktop PC running xp

Very good for connecting inputs, digital SPDIF, Midi, and 2 outputs.
Theb software is a pain in the @ss. you have to constantly restore the defaults, which requires a restart every time.

no headphone outputs, but other connections work out well.
However, getting the default inputs to work is a big runaround.
The software blows...
Get something else.

relies on pc power. No mic inputs

latency is pretty good if you have enough memory.
The software sucks big time

Cubase lt and ableton lite came bundled with this soundcard.
The stock mixing software is a P.I.T.A. and requires constant resetting to the default setting.
It is a major issue to get any of the inputs activated, also.
The mixer allows you to keep different settings, that part is cool.
Otherwise, I wouldnot buy this again.
It is a big hassle, even when you get the hang of it.
Spend the money and get something better.
THE SOUNDCARD SOFTWARE IS A CONSTANT PAIN IN THE BALLS!!!

Pay the money and get another brand that is more user friendly!!
The constant rebooting ruins the creative juices!

It's really all you need if you have an outboard mixer. It wasnt intended to have a mic pre. So plan on getting one of those seperatly or use a piece of equip. you already have as a mic pre. I had a boss br-532 brand new in the box that I use now for a mic pre and that works wonderfully.
E-MU is a really dedicated company. Very Very user friendly. They don't pull a good product from the market and discontinue support on it like the other big guys do.

You can find the connectivity info somewhere else. You probably already know what connections it has if your reading this. It does what it's supposed to without problems so get it.

I said 10 because I don't need all the connections available with bigger more expensive cards. This is exactly what I needed without paying for all the unneeded extras of bigger badder cards.

It is not powered buy an ac adapter. The other reviewer must have been filling out a review for the wrong product. It draws power from your computers internal power supply. It is not compatible with a laptop retard.

It has good enough specs....don't worry about the specs you. Just go buy it ;)


It can work at 96kHz/32-bit you do not need any more than that if your already looking at this card. and thats more than plenty as it is..

The bundled software is as good as any other bundled software....you probably wont use it cause you probably already have recording software. However if you dont it is enough to start recording and playing synths right off the bat.

I have never had a problem with setting this card up or it malfunctioning in anyway. I believe this is because of a combination of build quality and extensive testing before the card was released.
Good job E-MU and keep this card up to date.

Overall after research of course it is what it is and does exactly what it's supposed to.If you need more ins and outs you wouldnt be lokking at this card in the first place. E-MU has an ongoing dedication to it aswell. They just recently did an update which includes this card, so if you buy this just make sure you stop buy their site to register and grab the patchmix update. This unit has been out for years and there really isn't a need to replace it on the market because it is still just what the doctor ordered for what it's intended for..

My rating is because this is sort of like a tale of two E-MU's. When I first got it I was running WinXP and found this unit to be easy to set up and use, not to mention that it sounded great. Then I replaced my machine with a new notebook running Vista. E-MU does not work and play well with Vista. Much as I liked it when I first got it, I've given up on the idea of ever using it again.

External USB2.0 connected interface with 2 mic/line/guitar inputs, digital IO, and balanced and unbalanced monitor outs along with MIDI in and out. Comes with a lot of bundled software, including Proteus VX.

Preamps sound okay, but not equal for example to my Presonus TubePre. For other info, see above.

AC adapter, no battery power. It does have phantom power, but I don't know if it really is 48v

Sonar, Cubase, Proteus VX, Wavelab, Amplitube, Ableton Live

As I said before, in XP this unit was great, but is absolutely useless with Vista. If you're running XP, go for it. I've heard that E-MU is telling dealers they're having a lot of trouble writing drivers to use any of their products with Vista, so...

Not only would I not replace it if stolen, I'm in the process of selling the one I have.

The Creative E-MU 0404 recording interface features Patch Mix DSP internal patch bay, and is a very usefull for recording on a home computer with professional results. The unit ships with Cubase LE and Wavelab Lite and some other recording based applications. I have been using the Creative E-MU 0404 for years and have had great results condidering the low price I paid for it, only 79 bucks! The onboard DSP is great for adding professional effects processing to Amplitube 2 without any drain on the CPU. I can record with zero latency even after adding VST effects in Cubase. Here is some more general info from the Creative E-MU website that sums it up pretty well-
The E-Mu 0404 PCI Digital Audio Recording System is a 24-bit/192kHz* PCI audio interface that delivers everything you need to record, mix, and play back audio on your PC with hardware-accelerated effects and soft mixing. It works with all major PC audio and sequencer applications offering faultless analog and digital I/O, pristine sound quality, and all the hardware-accelerated effects, mixing, and monitoring of E-MU's popular 1820M, 1820, and 1212M Digital Audio Systems.
I/O includes 1/4" analog, optical and coaxial S/PDIF, and MIDI. 24-bit/192kHz* A/D/A converters deliver an incredible 111dB (A/D) and 116dB (D/A) signal-to-noise ratio. E-DSP hardware acceleration taken from E-MU's more expensive systems gives you an effects processor that can deliver over 16 simultaneous hardware-accelerated effects. The E-DSP processor frees your computer from running CPU-intensive plug-ins to boost performance. It ships with over 500 effects presets with allowances to add more plug-ins to your system as needed.
E-DSP also provides zero-latency, hardware-based mixing and monitoring via the included PatchMix DSP mixer, so no external mixer is needed. The E-MU 0404 ships with ASIO 2.0 and WDM drivers, Steinberg Cubasis, Steinberg WaveLab Lite, SFX Machine LT, and a trial version of Minnetonka's diskWelder BRONZE.
The 0404 PCI ships with the Power FX software update, giving users the ability to run over 600 hardware-accelerated effects as VST plug-ins for Cubase and other applications. Power FX also introduces EMU's first expansion plug-in, with more reverb and delay effects.

The card type interface is PCI, and takes up only 1 slot internal. It does have some breakout cables for input 1/4 inch, Midi in/out/and optical. I use it like a virtual tape recorder just like a real studio. Easy to setup right out of the box.

It does have some breakout cables for inputs that are 1/4 inch standard Hz, Midi in/out/and optical. I use it like a virtual tape recorder just like a real studio. Easy to setup right out of the box. I use a Tascam 4 track mixer as a preamp. "You will need a preamp to record with this unit" Use a mixer, or a guitar preamp, or just line out off of any preamp. 2 inputs left/right, 2 outputs left/right. Each input is actually 2 stereo inputs! because you use ASIO, And ASIO is stereo! You are onlly limited to how many tracks you can record and play back given your processor speed and memory. I plug the left/right outputs on the 0404, dirrectly into my studio monitors. This is really cool for listening to web playback and video too. You can add a limiter amp and a compressor for web playback using Patch Mix DSP.

This unit is powered by the PCI slot "bus Powered", so it doesnt require any other power supply. Has no mic or line preamps though like I said above, so you will need a preamp to record mic/line inputs.

ADAT No
AES EBU No
ASIO Yes
Analog Inputs 2
Analog Outputs 2
Audio Formats WDM, ASIO
Audio Formats Other No
Bus Type Connectivity PCI - Desktop
Core Audio No
Digital IO spdif
Digital IO Other No
Digital Ins 2
Digital Outputs 2
Direct Sound No/Note: Doesnt need it! Its ASIO!!
Dynamic Range ADA 111-120 db
EASI No
GSIF No
Height 8.5 inches
Length 11 inches
Linux No
Macintosh No
Max Bit Rate 24-bit
Midi IO Yes
Phantom Power No
Platform Windows
RTAS No
SPDIF Yes
Sample Rate up to 192k
Software Production Tools* PatchMix DSP
Special Features DSPFX, Midi i/o
Sync No
WDM Yes
Width 3.5 inches
Windows Yes

Patchmix DSP is a stand alone patchbay, but it runs in conjuntion with your software host such as Cubase and that makes it really powerful!
The E-MU 0404 ships with ASIO 2.0 and WDM drivers, Steinberg Cubasis, Steinberg WaveLab Lite, SFX Machine LT, and a trial version of Minnetonka's diskWelder BRONZE.

Like I have said above, I've been using it for years and have recorded my album with it and I am selling it online through Itunes and many other online music services. Its production/studio quality! I recommend it to all musicians that are looking for a real recording/easy to use tracking solution. Lol, if it was stolen, I would have to buy it again!
The only thing I wish it had was a built in preamp. But for the price, you cant beat it!