Creative's E-MU 0404: Pro Sound Quality on the Cheap

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Drivers And Software

The software application that operates the 0404 is identical to the one bundled with the other (much more sophisticated) cards in the E-MU line. And for a price that can't be argued with, this software has some fairly astounding possibilities. Called PatchMix DSP, it amounts to a real virtual digital mixing board that handles routing, mixing and control of the DSP, which offers a wide range of corrections and effects. The only limitation - currently a familiar one on this generation of cards - is that it can function only at a maximum frequency of 48 kHz. If you work at 96 kHz, you'll have to do without the DSP. Admittedly, its rarely necessary, since working in 24 bits/48 kHz already provides excellent quality, and the improvement 96 kHz will bring will generally be marginal for users who may purchase a 0404.

We took a detailed look at the PatchMix software during our test of the E-MU 1820 and so we won't discuss it again here; take a look at that article if you need more information. Obviously using it is a little more complex than with a mass-market card. You have to route signals with PatchMix, for example. It's not insurmountable, however. Various configurations are provided; you need only load them and then possibly reconfigure them to suit your personal needs.

Naturally we need to mention the services provided by the DSP: Aside from effects that will be of interest mostly to musicians, lovers of audio will find the various means of sound processing - like parametric equalizers and compressors - very interesting. They can improve your sound significantly by making appropriate corrections - to suit the speakers you're using and the room you listen in, for example.