Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad? -Sound Forge - PC

Subject:Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad? Posted by: Khalidsattar Date:12/13/2002 2:47:33 PM I have a notebook and was looking to get a new sound card. I will be using it primarily to record from mini disc (and less so from some old cassettes), and then to made audio cds from that. I have read some good reviews of the Sound Blaster Extigy - does anyone have experience with it? I have also heard that the USB connection is to slow to keep up with the audio stream, any truth to that? thanks khalid sattar khalidsattar@hotmail.com
Subject:RE: Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad? Reply by: Rednroll Date:12/13/2002 4:28:49 PM Usually anytime you mention the word "Sound Blaster" around any pro audio users, you will get a good chuckle of laughs. For gaming needs, by all means go the Sound Blaster route. If you want something worth while that will give you a quiet noise floor with high bit resolution, then you will need to look at brands like RME, M-audio, or Echo to name a few. As far as USB, is concerned. This is probably the optimal choice for a notebook. A sound card seperate from a PC will give you the best results. Sound Cards within a notebook are inherently noisy, due to the compactness of the surrounding electronics. If you are doing stereo in/Streo out recording then you will have no problems using a USB connection. If you are plaining on doing a 24IN/24Out multi-track session, then you better look at a firewire connection.
Subject:RE: Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad? Reply by: Khalidsattar Date:12/13/2002 5:25:34 PM Thanks for information. Are those "professional level" cards? I checked some prices and they are little higher than what my budget can afford (at least for now). Are there any mid-level (or one level above consumer) USB cards that you could recommend?
Subject:RE: Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad? Reply by: musicvid10 Date:12/14/2002 10:25:22 PM 1)First, a disclaimer. I have no experience with the Extigy, I know it is a slow seller at the retail giants, yet it may be just the ticket for laptoppers. The USB interface should be adequate for 16-bit recording. 2)This pro isn't chuckling. Used SBLive since its release and my next upgrade will be Audigy2. For an under-$800 card, the specs are excellent and so are the results. If you need all the inputs and are willing to endure the uncertainty of whether the company will be in business two years from now, or whether their product will support the next OS release, by all means plunk down that thousand or two. Unfortunately, there is very little in between. But, if you can live with an external mixer, have an undemanding ego and a little talent, go ahead and enjoy the SoundBlaster. Those who are chuckling may not be selling any more of their work than you, and they're certainly not having as much fun trying ;) Oh, btw, my wristwatch says Casio, not Rolex, and its utilitarian function is excellent...

Subject:Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad?

Posted by: Khalidsattar

Date:12/13/2002 2:47:33 PM

I have a notebook and was looking to get a new sound card. I will be using it primarily to record from mini disc (and less so from some old cassettes), and then to made audio cds from that. I have read some good reviews of the Sound Blaster Extigy - does anyone have experience with it? I have also heard that the USB connection is to slow to keep up with the audio stream, any truth to that?

thanks
khalid sattar
khalidsattar@hotmail.com

Subject:RE: Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad?

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:12/13/2002 4:28:49 PM

Usually anytime you mention the word "Sound Blaster" around any pro audio users, you will get a good chuckle of laughs. For gaming needs, by all means go the Sound Blaster route. If you want something worth while that will give you a quiet noise floor with high bit resolution, then you will need to look at brands like RME, M-audio, or Echo to name a few.

As far as USB, is concerned. This is probably the optimal choice for a notebook. A sound card seperate from a PC will give you the best results. Sound Cards within a notebook are inherently noisy, due to the compactness of the surrounding electronics. If you are doing stereo in/Streo out recording then you will have no problems using a USB connection. If you are plaining on doing a 24IN/24Out multi-track session, then you better look at a firewire connection.

Subject:RE: Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad?

Reply by: Khalidsattar

Date:12/13/2002 5:25:34 PM

Thanks for information. Are those "professional level" cards? I checked some prices and they are little higher than what my budget can afford (at least for now). Are there any mid-level (or one level above consumer) USB cards that you could recommend?

Subject:RE: Sound Blaster Extigy - Good or Bad?

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:12/14/2002 10:25:22 PM

1)First, a disclaimer. I have no experience with the Extigy, I know it is a slow seller at the retail giants, yet it may be just the ticket for laptoppers. The USB interface should be adequate for 16-bit recording.

2)This pro isn't chuckling. Used SBLive since its release and my next upgrade will be Audigy2. For an under-$800 card, the specs are excellent and so are the results. If you need all the inputs and are willing to endure the uncertainty of whether the company will be in business two years from now, or whether their product will support the next OS release, by all means plunk down that thousand or two. Unfortunately, there is very little in between. But, if you can live with an external mixer, have an undemanding ego and a little talent, go ahead and enjoy the SoundBlaster. Those who are chuckling may not be selling any more of their work than you, and they're certainly not having as much fun trying ;)

Oh, btw, my wristwatch says Casio, not Rolex, and its utilitarian function is excellent...