All WireReady products will work with all MME Windows WDM *.WAV device compatible sound cards. Virtually any sound device you can buy will shows up as at least one of these devices to windows but only specific manufacturers and cards show up as MULTIPLE WAV devices, and allow you to overlap and play and record multiple things at once on the same machine. For example, the onboard sound card will show up as one device this way but it can only play or record one thing at a time with our software.
Multi-channel device cards show up in the windows Device Manager, and are assigned a device number (i.e 1, 2, 3, 4 etc) by Windows and show up in Control Panel, Sound etc. This is how WireReady software products play and record audio. For example, in WireReady software they would show up in stereo pairs, like device #1 - 1/2, device #2 - 3/4, device #3 - 5/6, etc (the 1/2 means the 1st and 2nd track, the 3/4 is the 3rd and 4th track etc). Each device that shows up in Windows means we can play or record thru it. For example, if you have 4 device numbers, we can play 4 things at once and record 4 things at once. Multi-channel cards will also let you set in the driver whether they show up as stereo pairs (common in AM/FM radio) or surround (multiple tracks assigned to one device). They often let you lock the sample rate so you don't have to worry about having different sample rates in your library. AES cards provide internal or external sync sources. Analog cards generally provide balanced or unbalanced connections. Each manufacturer has their own set of features. For example some manufacturers make PCI, some make PCI-express, some make Firewire, some make USB.
Here is a list of professional sound cards (we've tested)that provide balanced high quality sound input and outputs that also allow you:
- Play multiple things at the same time from the same computer/position
- Record multiple things at the same time
- Do any of the above and be able to overlap audio during playback
- Allow for multiple sample rates to be supported
RECOMMENDATION: Whenever possible, use a separate physical card for each software application on the computer. If you plan for example to use Adobe Audition and WireReady on the same computer, the best performance/best reliability occurs when the WireReady has it's own audio card/device and the Audition has its own. While you can share a multi-device/channel card by mapping two of the outputs on a Lynx Two to Adobe Audition, and two of the outputs to WireReady, you are always better off giving the audio editor it's own physical card/firewire or usb device, and a separate card/usb/firewire device for WireReady. This is because audio editors often use ASIO and need exclusive access to the device and WireReady uses MME/WDM and other subtle reasons. While you can share a device 99% of the time, we prefer 100% so assign different devices whenever possible if you plan to use both applications and be playing/recording in both apps at the same time. When you are only playing or recording out of one app AT a time on the same computer, dedicating separate card/devices isn't generally necessary. But if you want to be recording and playing in the WireReady while editing in Adobe Audition, use separate cards or devices when ever possible.
WARNING: DO NOT BUY M-AUDIO USB and FIREWIRE external audio devices for use with WIREREADY. Those are ASIO based audio device drivers and will only work with Pro-Tools, Adobe Audition and other ASIO based software products. The M-audio USB and Firewire series appliances work great with Adobe Audition, Pro Tools and other multi-track editors, but you can't use these devices to play or record multiple things at the same time in Wireready software. All the M-audio USB and FIREWIRE devices will show up as just 1 device to Windows, and thus will only let us play or record one thing at a time. Thier internal PCI card based solutions, and PCI to external breakout box solutions do support MME/WDM WAV and show up as multiple devices and are approved for use with WireReady products. Having a M-audio USB or Firewire device on a computer won't harm WireReady software in any way if you are using those products with other applications.
Behringer UMC "Uphoria" series appliances
The UMC202HD provides one stereo in/one stereo out, the UMC404HD does two of each and UMC1820 does FIVE in and FIVE out. UMC1820 also supports mono banking
- USB - 404 and 1820 also have power cords, 202 is self powered
- 202HD and 404HD UMC driver will detect MORE than one connected unit
- 1/4 inch TRS phone type (balanced)
- Headphones Jack (Stereo 1/4 inch phone type)
- USB Connector
Click here to go to the official Behringer webpage
Audio Science 56xx and 57xx series cards
The 56xx series cards are full height and the 57xx support both low profile and full height chassis. These come in dual stereo and quad stereo in/out and AES models and provide up to 12 virtual channels and mixing on physical outputs
- PCIe slot required
- Uses SCSI like style XLR break out cables sold separately
Click here to go to the official ASI webpage
Roland Octa-capture
The Roland Octa-capture has 10 inputs and 10 outputs with the following connectors:
- Input Jacks 1—8 (XLR type / 1/4 inch TRS phone type)
- XLR type (balanced / phantom power +48 V)
- 1/4 inch TRS phone type (balanced)
- Coaxial Input Connector
- Coaxial Output Connector
- Headphones Jack (Stereo 1/4 inch phone type)
- Output Jack 1—8 (1/4 inch TRS phone type (balanced))
- MIDI Connectors (In, Out)
- USB Connector
Click here to go to the official Roland Octa-capture webpage
Motu Firewire Products (828Mk3, 928Mk3, Ultralite-Mk3)
WireReady has found that the Motu products work more reliably with Firewire than USB. The 828Mk3 has the following analog inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS combo-style mic/guitar inputs, 8 x 1/4" TRS line inputs (balanced/unbalanced). And the 828Mk3 has the following outputs: 2 x XLR balanced main out, 8 x 1/4" balanced TRS line out, 2 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone.
Click here to go to the official Motu 828Mk3 webpage
Presonus 1818VSL
The 1818VSL requires a USB 2.0 connection to the computer (external) and when used with WireReady software, will show up as 4 stereo WAV play devices, and 4 stereo WAV record devices. So you can play 4 things and record 4 things at the same time (mono or stereo). Device natively runs at 44Khz or higher, but Windows will let you play/record lower sample rates. Electrically speaking, inputs 3/4 5/6 and 7/8 are analog TRS 1/4" Line in or MIC level when the XLR are used. 1/2 is instrument level (1/4 TRS) or MIC level with XLR. The 4 outputs are 1/4" TRS analog line out. When the VSL mixer/software DISABLED, it will work exactly like a 4 in, 4 out discrete device. If you enable the VSL software, output 1/2 will always play a mix of ANYTHING playing on all 4 channels, and the other 3 can individually be mapped to a specific WAV device. While the VSL software provides EQ and other effects processing, if you want all 4 outputs separate do not use it.
Click here to go to the official Presonus 1818VSL webpage
Presonus 44VSL
The 44VSL is a USB 2.0 connected 2 stereo out, 2 stereo in device, when the VSL mixer software is not used/enabled. If you enable it, than 1/2 will play whatever is playing on both wave devices, and 3/4 can be mapped to one of the two streams. Most folks will want the VSL mixer software disabled.
Click here to go to the official Presonus 44VSL webpage
Marian Seraph 8
8 analog inputs and outputs. Includes a 48-2 channel mixer. Uses a modern and super fast PCIe interface and specifically optimized for high quality analog audio transfer. Comes with 1/4" TRS jacks.
Click here to go to the official Marian Seraph 8 webpage
Echo Audio Mia Midi**
The Echo Audio Mia Midi is a multi-channel device with a SINGLE stereo output and SINGLE stereo input. We can record one thing at a time, but because it will show up in windows as FOUR separate devices, we can play up to 4 things at the same time- so long as you don't mind them being mixed and shot out thru this single output. Stations who want us overlapping through a single fader on their audio console love this card. This card also makes an EXCELLENT voice tracking card or instant replay/effects card, because everything you want to play and/or listen to in your headphones only ties up a single fader on your air console. You can also install up to 4 of these PCI based cards in the same computer (if you have the slots).
Note: This is a non-routable device. Each device will play out a specific pair of outputs. You can't route multiple wav files we're playing through a single output pair. If you want 3 channels we're playing thru to go through a single fader on your air console you need to mix the outputs externally.
Echo Audio Layla 3G**
This rack mountable multi-channel device card shows up as 4 stereo devices for play and record meaning we can play 4 things at once and record 4 things at once. It uses a PCI card attached to the rack mountable 1U breakout box.
Echo Audio Firewire Series external Appliances***
Echo Audio Firewire series audio appliances are all MME/WDM WAV device approved and when set to operate in STEREO mode, each pair of outputs shows up as its own device. The AudioFire12 will let you play and record SIX things.
Note: This is a non-routable device. Each device will play out a specific pair of outputs. You can't route multiple wav files we're playing through a single output pair (only the Echo Mia Midi allows internal mixing this way). If you want 3 channels we're playing thru to go through a single fader on your air console you need to mix the outputs externally or use an Echo Mia Midi card instead.
If your computer or laptop doesn't have a FIREWIRE 400 or 800mps jack, you can add a PCI, PCI-express, or Expresscard Firewire card that provides the necessary jack. We recommend SIIG brand firewire adapters that use the Texas Instruments TI chipset. Avoid Via chipsets, or consult the Echoaudio firewire suggestions. The device includes 4 and 6 pin adapters.
Click here to go to the official AudioFire12 webpage
M-Audio Delta 44*
(update Aug 2012: discontinued by manufacturer, hard to find but great cards)
An M-Audio Delta 44 is a PCI card that goes in a PCI slot in your computer. It includes a cable that connects to an included breakout box. The break out box gives you TWO stereo outputs (1/2 and 3/4) and TWO stereo inputs (1/2 and 3/4). This means you can play up to 2 mono or stereo things simultaneously AND record 2 mono or stereo things simultaneously all at the same time. If you put a 2nd M-audio Delta 44 card/box in the same computer, you double the number of plays and records, put a 3rd, then you triple, up to 4 can be in the same machine, as long as you have enough slots.
WARNING: While the M-audio Delta 44 device works great with WireReady, NEVER use the M-audio external USB or Firewire devices with WireReady. Those external devices are ASIO based appliances for multi-track editing products only show up as a single device to windows. WireReady will only see the USB and Firewire appliances from M-audio as a single play device.
M-audio Delta 1010*
This PCI card and 1U rack mountable breakout box shows up as 4 play devices and 4 record devices.
Note: This is a non-routable device. Each device will play out a specific pair of outputs. You can't route multiple wav files we're playing through a single output pair. If you want 3 channels we're playing thru to go through a single fader on your air console you need to mix the outputs externally. Slot permitting, you can install more than one of these on the same computer to have more channels if necessary. Up to 4 are supported for as many as 16 play and 16 records on the same machine.
WARNING: While the M-audio Delta 1010 device works great with WireReady, NEVER use the M-audio external USB or Firewire devices with WireReady. Those external devices are ASIO based appliances for multi-track editing products only show up as a single device to windows. WireReady will only see the USB and Firewire appliances from M-audio as a single play device. The internal PCI based products from M-audio work great with our software, the external USB and Firewire products from M-audio do NOT.
Lynx Two
Note: This is a ROUTABLE multi-channel device. The Lynx series cards have a powerful DSP mixer that let you route specific Windows audio devices to specific inputs and outputs on the card. If you want to setup 3 playable/overlappable devices in the WireReady software but route them out a single output/fader on your console, this card lets you do it. The Lynx TWO shows up as EIGHT devices so you can route 3 channels through one output, and 2 out another, or any combination of 8 out the outputs available. The model A has two stereo outs, the B has three, and the C has 1. You can also map inputs through outputs for hardware monitoring as well.
Click here to go to the official Lynx Two webpage
Lynx AES16
Note: This is a ROUTABLE multi-channel device. The Lynx series cards have a powerful DSP mixer that let you route specific windows audio devices to specific inputs and outputs on the card. If you want to setup 3 playable/overlappable devices in the WireReady software but route them out a single output/fader on your console, this card lets you do it. The AES cards have 8 ins and 8 outs so you can have as many physical connections as you have virtual devices in the router.
Click here to go to the official Lynx AES16 webpage
Lynx AES16e
Note: This is a ROUTABLE multi-channel device. The Lynx series cards have a powerful DSP mixer that let you route specific windows audio devices to specific inputs and outputs on the card. If you want to setup 3 playable/overlappable devices in the WireReady software but route them out a single output/fader on your console, this card lets you do it. The AES cards have 8 ins and 8 outs so you can have as many physical connections as you have virtual devices in the router.
Click here to go to the official Lynx AES16e webpage
Axia, Wheatstone, PRE/Vistamax and similar virtual audio driver solutions
Virtual audio devices that support MME/ windows WDM WAV device standards work with WireReady software. This includes virtual audio device software and stream solutions that show up to Windows as a virtual sound device.
Other Audio Cards
Many other manufacturer brands/model cards have been used with WireReady with much success. This includes but is not limited to:
- SAS USB audio device
- Digigram VX222
- Audio Science cards
- On-board sound card/devices
- SoundBlasters
- Other appliances which show up to Windows as a Windows WAV device
NOTES:
* M-Audio Delta44
* M-Audio Delta66
* M-Audio Delta1010 / LT
** Echo Mia & Layla
* Echo Audiofire4
* Echo Audiofire8
*** Echo Audiofire12
* indicates card is discontinued and no longer available
** indicates card is discontinued and no longer available and may not work in newer motherboards with Win7
*** indicates end of life, soon to be discontinued
