Audigy 2 Platinum best for starters?

[xxspxx]

I want to spend $300 for a sound card/pre amp/mic, everything I need to get started recording to my pc.. I was told to get the audigy 2 platinum, is this the best for the price? I saw them on ebay for around $175.. also I need a mic, any suggestions on what I should buy, will prolly get them all from ebay since there is nothing near me and I got my money in paypal

[participant]

Actually, have a look at the Delta Soundcards before getting that card. IIRC the "Audigy" is a consumer card, made mostly for playing video games. The Delta Cards are more oriented toward music recording/production.

[tdukex]

Yes, forget the Audigy. The M-Audio Audiophile can be had for $150 online. Get it. You can then get the M-Audio Audiobuddy for $80 and a Studio Projects B1 large condenser mic for $80. Total cost = $310 and you have a damn nice setup.

Check this page and you'll find both the Audiophile and the Audiobuddy:
http://www.8thstreet.com/product_sea...site=Go+to....

Check this page for the SP B1:
http://www.8thstreet.com/product_sea...site=Go+to....

If you ever buy an Audigy buy it for soundfont use (MIDI), and get the basic version without the preamps or other garbage. You can get the basic card for about $50 and run it alongside your Audiophile. That's my basic setup.

[xxspxx]

thanx for replies, i found the 3 things you told me I should get..

M-Audio Audiophile
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...929866111&rd=1

M-Audio Audiobuddy
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...931001543&rd=1

Studio Projects B1 large condenser mic
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...931131234&rd=1

can you tell me how everything will be set up? the audiophile will go into a pci slot, what does it connect to (the wires).. the audiobuddy will go into a 5 1/2 cd drive, what does it connect to (the wires), and the B1 mic, what does it connect to (the wires). also do i need to buy anything else besides these 3 things?

[ambi]

the audio buddy is the preamp, i think that just sits outside your computer on your desk. The delta card goes into your computer like a soundblaster card, just plug it into a pci slot like normal. The microphone goes into the audio buddy, then the audiobuddy goes to the delta card.

Voilla you have a decent signal chain.
You need softwear to record to, and usually a fairly quick computer, and you'll need some cables, and i think maybe a 1/4'-1/8' adapter for the cable that goes into your soundcard.

i believe you use an xlr-xlr cable to go from mic to preamp, and then xlr=1/4' to go to sound card, with the 1/8' adapter on the end of the 1/4' cable. Now i believe that is the setup, but im unfamiliar with the audio buddy, so it maybe be xlr - 1/4 from mic to preamp as well.

[participant]

Originally posted by ambi
i believe you use an xlr-xlr cable to go from mic to preamp, and then xlr=1/4' to go to sound card

Close... the Audiophile 24/96 has RCA ins/outs...

[Robert D]

Another great save!

[ambi]

ah even better... that raises an intresting question... why the hell would it have rca ins/outs?

[esun127]

I'm also in search of a good setup and I'm leaning towards getting an M-Audio Delta 44 for my band. It includes a sound card and a box with four inputs and four outputs, all 1/4" line-level . Most people who have it have had good experiences with it. It's around $230.

As for mic preamps, I'm just using a small $80 behringer mixer at the moment, and will probably continue using it for awhile.

[A1A2]

esun127:

Not a bad choice I had a similar setup. Worked great

AL

[xxspxx]

I don't have enough money for Delta 44 and a pre amp/mic, only $300.. anyway, I bought the M-Audio Audiophile yesterday but missed out on the pre amp and can't find anymore on ebay, any other pre amp suggestions for around $80?

esun127 whats the model number or full product name so I can look for that behringer mixer?

[tdukex]

Why don't you just buy it from 8th Street?

You can bet a Behringer MX802 (4 mono + 2 stereo) for $80 http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp...ategory=Mixers

Or one of their newer mixers, which are supposed to be better http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp...ategory=Mixers
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp...ategory=Mixers

[xxspxx]

Because 8th Street doesn't take paypal and I don't have a credit card, only 16.. thanks for the links tdukex, found the same ones on ebay.. anyway thats all I need, thanks for all the help..