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Subject:Sound Cards
Posted by: c0rbin
Date:2/11/2002 12:13:04 PM
Hello...I am new to computer-based recording. I have an "out-of-the-box" sound card in my otherwise heavy-duty PC. However, when I record to my hard drive (through AcidPro 3.0 or otherwise), the signal is very weak and I cannot get much volume without overdrive (unintended, of course). I am curious, what sound card would this forum recommend. I have had my eye on the SoundBlaster Platinum series, but the 2-Bill price tag is making me think twice. Thanks! |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: MyST
Date:2/11/2002 4:27:32 PM
Need more info... Do you want an all-in-one card to use for your games also, or a dedicated audio workstation sound card? For an audio workstation most recommend the Echo Mia (which I have) and the Audiophile 24/96. You might need something else, it all depends on what you plan on doing with it. Do you need midi? The soundblaster isn't really recommended for DAWs. Repost with more information to get more accurate recommendations. Later. |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: c0rbin
Date:2/11/2002 4:39:11 PM
Thanks for replying. I would use it as my machine's sound card for gaming as well as recording. So I would need an "all-in-one." Right now I plan to use ACID Pro 3.0 as a multi-track recorder with typical garage band instrumentation (guitars, keyboards, etc) I will also be using the output from my Tascam analog four track. No need for MIDI. What is a DAW? |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: MyST
Date:2/11/2002 4:46:31 PM
DAW...Dedicated Audio Workstation. Nuthin' but music programs on your computer. For all around, the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz is worth considering. But maybe others can step in with more recommendations. You could also do what I did. I have a Turtle Beach Montego Quadzilla for games and I had my Mia installed for working with music. HTH. |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: c0rbin
Date:2/12/2002 2:21:31 PM
Thanks again! |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: c0rbin
Date:2/12/2002 3:00:20 PM
Why is SoundBlaster Bad?? |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: MyST
Date:2/12/2002 3:17:30 PM
I'm just going by things I've seen regarding the Soundblaster. Sketchy advertising practices (advertised as 24 bit card, but records in 16 bit only), and drivers are not always up to par. Again, I have no direct experience with them, so if someone else has any input... Later. |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: johannbad
Date:2/12/2002 3:49:19 PM
yeah sound blaster is ok. The sound is a bit dirty sounding to me... not to clear. if you can afford it, but a mia or audiofile card... i used to have SBLive! with the brakeout box... it was ok... really good for vid games and everyone has drivers for it, but for serious recording, a good 24bit card and a mixer would be $$$ well spent. |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: bruce_m_walker
Date:2/12/2002 6:04:54 PM
C0rbin: I heartily agree with johannbad: SB's are *noisy*. I went thru three of them (ie: take it home, test it, take it back; repeat). For any kind of recording that you might actually USE (eg demos, sell at a gig), get a good dedicated audio card. I can recommend the M-Audio (aka Midiman) cards. Eg: for your use with a 4-track recorder, you could use 4-ins and 4-outs (for flying your tracks in/out), and the Delta-44 (or Delta-66 which I have) is perfect. 24-bits, drivers always up-to-date for all OSes. This is about the quietest thing I own; it even has the ability to accept balanced signals (but it doesn't have XLR jacks). I might spring for their newer breakout box with built-in mic preamps (and XLRs), but for now I'm happy using it with my little Mackie mixer, which has excellent mic pre's. The Delta-44 should cost you $200, but I'm guessing. The -66 cost me $500 Canadian, but our Northern Pesos don't have much value. :-) The -66 has S/PDIF i/o which you likely don't need. (One gotcha with 4 in/outs is you'll really need Vegas (or similar) to handle 4 simultaneous channels; if you're not ready for that, then just get a 2-in/out card.) For gaming, use the sound card your PC comes with, or buy a cheap SB/clone. After all, you don't really want to do any mixing/mastering with the game speakers now, do you? :-) Cheers! -bmw -- BTW: I think DAW actually stands for Digital Audio Workstation ... |
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Subject:RE: Sound Cards
Reply by: MyST
Date:2/13/2002 6:02:50 AM
Oops, you're right...It is Digital Audio Workstation. |