The SoundBlaster Audigy 2?

[kag1]

Ok, our band recently built like a small ..studio type thing (tried to sound proof the walls, carpet on ceiling and walls and door, everything, it's about an 8x8 room.

What we were planning on doing was using our yamaha mixer/preamp and connecting the record out, to my Creative Audigy 2 Platnium's Auxilary 2 input (RCA Cables). Then just record everything like that using Cakewalk Producer Sonor (never even opened it yet!, maybe also tell me if this is a bad program to use). And we were just looking to buy a compressor..but then I started reading on here and around a bit, and it turns out that this Audigy 2 (best card they had a best buy) is actually not really a good card to record on.. So I guess my question is, Should I buy the compressor and use the Audigy, or should I by a new sound card / Interface (Whats the difference?) and hold off on the compressor for awhlie.

If the answer is to buy the new interface/card what kind would you guys recommend? I was hoping to keep which ever one I decide to get under a probably 200-300 dollars..

Thanks alot for your guys' help

[BloodShark]

I'd go for the card, but that depends on the sound quality you're expecting. You can do your recording with the Soundblaster, it's just not as good as other soundcards (and it has less functionalities too).

Try looking for an M-Audio soundcard. They're really good and not that expensive. An audiophile 2496 is a good choice.

[bigwillz24]

instead of buying a compressor use the plugin in sonar.

[NYMorningstar]

Your going to need a better soundcard if you're serious about this. You want to get one that you can record individual tracks on live. Recording this way allows you to edit individual tracks later on when you are mixing. A Delta 1010 give you 10 in/outs to work with. Check out this link http://www.adkproaudio.com/viewitem.cfm?id=1454 where they have them listed for $599. If you shop around you can probably get a better price. You can pick up a Delta 1010Lt for around $300 but for the extra couple hundred bucks go for the real deal. You can get a Behringer compressor/limiter almost anywhere for $125 which is all you'll need for a good long time.