Of all the soundcards..which to get

[Rags]

My other post people say it's the soundcard, i gotta sound blaster so should i look into which of the 3 of these?

audiophile, mia, or staudio

my friend said i should just spend $429 and get the mbox?

If i can spend less then $200 and get a studio quality sound i'll be happy...I'm not trying to "make it" as a musician, but at the same time i'd like my music as clean and clear as possible

[Gidge]

it will be hard to get "studio quality" with just $429, much less $200.....so many other factors such as microphone quality, instrument quality, etc.........

anywho, the audiophile and mia are great cards and the m-box even better.....you wont be sorry either way......they are all capable of very good, clean sound.......

[lost studios]

I don't think you can go wrong with the M-Audio Audiophile 2496... It's very capable of professional results (depending on who's using it). You can't beat a card with a set of analog I/O's, S/PDIF I/O, and MIDI I/O's for $150.... IMHO

Good luck
ls

[Rags]

basically what im asking should i instantly hear a difference between audiophile compared to the sound blaster that im using right now...

[sonicpaint]

In short you will hear the difference though I'm sure that's not what you would like to hear when your trying to keep your cost down.

I try and shoot for at least the Mbox because you get good pres with good software all in one package. It also doesn't hurt that Pro Tools is the industry standard.

Good-luck,
sonicpaint

[Rags]

I think i'll just deal with what i got till i save up $500 to spare on the side, cause i would much rather just go ahead and get that, then get something for $150 now and then get mbox later...

[lost studios]

Originally posted by sonicpaint

I try and shoot for at least the Mbox because you get good pres with good software all in one package. It also doesn't hurt that Pro Tools is the industry standard.

I personally think that this is mostly rubbish... The fact that Pro Tools being the industry standard is a debate in its own that I don't want to start right now. I'm not saying that it isn't the industry standard right now, but the reason it is is just plain silly. As far as the MBox goes... I would pass on it, and certainly don't consider it ProTools by any means. "Industry Standard" protools rigs are based on their TDM models that are hardware DSP based and have really nothing in common with the MBox except the "golden name". I'm so sick of hearing everyone running around... bragging that they are running a "protools" rig, when in reality they have a Mbox hooked up to a laptop with Protools LE on it, as if this is some sort of "right of passage".

If you're going to save money for something better, I would suggest buying a decent tube pre, an outboard converter and a soundcard w/ digital input... (such as the audiophile). RME makes beautiful cards as well, btw.

I'm finished ranting.... for now.
good luck in what ever decision you make.
ls

Hey Sonicpaint... 9 more posts and you get your own avatar! You dirty dog...

[sonicpaint]

I can understand how you feel about the Pro Tools thing. Though many people may have an MBox and are running around saying their running a Pro Tools rig, I'm not one of them. I do run Pro Tools but I'm running a Digi 002 rack if that makes any difference. I try not to mention what I use much because I know not everyone is as fortunate not to mention that their are other great hardware units just as powerful as Pro Tools.

When I bought my Pro Tools setup I was torn between the Pro Tools set up and the Motu unit (not sure now if it was the 828 or the 2498). I ended up choosing the Pro Tools rig because the software that Motu came with (Digital Performer)was Mac based and I was running Windows, which Pro Tools supported.

I'm quite happy with my set up and as time goes on I'm getting more comfortable with the software. Now as it being the industry standard? I honestly think that the reason for it has more to do with it's popularity then it's superiority over other set ups. I'm not saying that this is the case for sure but that's how it seems to me anyway.

I thought I would mention the MBox because it's a combo (meaning software and hardware) making it a bit more cost effective for Rags, but maybe with some research he'll find something that he'd prefer over Pro Tools.

In regards to my avatar? I already have it waiting....lol.... It's a long wait.

sonicpaint