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Laptop audio solutions that use the FireWire and USB connectivity offered with most notebook computers have been increasingly available for some time now, but rarely at the performance level of desktop PCI audio workstations. Despite the ubiquitous presence and high performance of the PCMCIA CardBus on many laptops, relatively few interfaces have been made to actually use that format. With the demise of Echo's Layla Laptop system, the only marketed pro audio interface for the CardBus, offered only 96kHz sample rate with a limited variety of I/Os, and often a high price-tag, as well. Fortunately, E-mu has come through with an audio interface that provides a high standard of sound quality (up to 192kHz sample rate) without breaking the budget: the 1616M Digital Laptop Audio System.
Overall, the 1616M is nicely laid out and easy to use. It's small, and lightweight, but it might have worked better as a rack unit with some small improvements. On the output side, the array of connectors on the back may prove useful, but could have been trimmed down to make room for a pair of Neutrik outputs. More importantly, the onboard preamps lack any polarity switching and low frequency filtering. Most of my projects are based around live stereo tracks with serious bleed between the mics, which can lead to serious phase problems. I also live above a subway line, so LF filters at the inputs are a must.
Nonetheless, simply having phantom power at the inputs is a plus, given the fixation of competitive interfaces. A good external preamp (Aphex 207D) took care of all the bugs, however, and allowed the 1616M's converters to shine. According to E-mu, these are "Mastering grade 24-bit/192kHz converters - the same A/D converters used in Digidesign's flagship Pro Tools HD 192 I/O Interface delivering an amazing 120dB signal-to-noise ratio."
In layman's terms, the sound is delicious.
The 1616M offers a wide variety of analog and digital inputs and outputs on the MicroDock M, designed...