Soundcard with n-tracks

[Steve L.]

Hi guys, this is my first post here on the board. I was wondering what soundcards you all are using with n-track. I just got the standard $45 version (excludes playback and recording from 24 bit soundcards). Right now I record on my laptop with USB, but I'm getting a good desktop soon and want to try using a decent soundcard just to see how it compares to USB recording. Whats a good soundcard to check out? I am very pleased with the sound I already get.

[gordone]

I've been using the Delta 44 (M-Audio) with N-Track since 2000 with nary a hiccup. It's been running on a PIII 450mhz on Win98 and Win2K, and now lives in my PIV 2.53ghz Win XP. 4 ins/outs, no Midi or Digital inputs, but it suits my needs fine. Good luck in whatever you chose!

[Teej]

hi Steve, and welcome.

Gordone touches on a couple good points. You need to decide a couple things before we can make a decent recommendation.

- How many tracks do you intend to record at once?
- Do you ever plan to do MIDI?
- How much can you spend?

There are a number of good brands on the market; ones that have proven themselves over the years. There are a couple areas in which a company is graded; quality of components and quality driver support. Any card that doesn't have both of these isn't worth the money.

Gordone mentions M-Audio. They have a good track record of doing both. Terratec is another manufacturer that does a good job of this; as does Echo Audio. There are others.

And, of course, each manufactuer offers a number of cards. That's why it would help if you were to answer the above questions. If you're only planning to record you and a guitar, there's not much sense investing in a multi-channel sound card. But if you do plan at some point to record more (drums, for example), you may as well invest in a multi-channel card right away. Nothing more frustrating that spending $150 on a card just to discover that you need to upgrade right away.

Sooooooo.. what kinda plans do you have?


tj

[bubbagump]

Two places for you to visit...


http://www.ntrack.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi

and

http://www.audiominds.com

[Steve L.]

Teej -

- How many tracks do you intend to record at once? No more than 2. I have a mixer for drums.

- Do you ever plan to do MIDI? Nope.

- How much can you spend? I would like to keep it under $200 for a soundcard.

[Teej]

Gotcha. That will help to narrow down the field. You should be able to find a good 24-bit, stereo card in the $150 - $200 range.

I used a 2-channel Terratec (EWX 24/96) for awhile. I like it. Driver support was good, the quality seemed fine. They have newer models now, but Terratec is one option for you.

M-Audio has been a leader for awhile now. Many people have used the Audiophile 24/96, and the comments have always been positive. Again, that's a model that's been out for awhile, but M-Audio has other, newer models you might consider.

Echo has a very nice, balanced input card called the Mia that i've heard good things about. It's difficult to find balanced inputs in that price range.

I'm sure there are others...

Even if you haven't invested in the 24-bit version of N, you'll see an improvement in quality by using a 24-bit card (at 16-bit). But i'd encourage you to invest the extra $20 (or whatever it is these days) to upgrade N as well. The move to 24-bit is a good one.


There are many other users at the n-Track forum that can give you advice on specific 2-channel cards. I use an 8-channel Terratec and haven't researched stereo cards in awhile.


tj

[wilkee]

The new Emu 1212M has balanced ins and outs as well as Adat at a silly price in the UK (£149) should be a steal in the U.S.

Tony

[Progger]

If you want to go M-Audio, don't go for the Audiophile 24/96. I'm sure it's a great card, but for $50 less, you can get the Delta 410, which has the same capabilities but with 8 outs. Those outs come in real handy with my monitors on outs 1 and 2 and my headphone amp on outs 3 and 4. Also good for DATs and such.