Sound Quality on Computer

[adferrendelli]

I Have A Zoom 4-track and i usually just record only using that. The sound quality is fairly good. but when I use My computer and use the 4-track as an audio interface the sound quality is drastically reduced. The guitar cant be distorted well at all and there is no warmth in the recordings. I have Cubase LE. Could i improve my sound with a different DAW program, sound card, or would i have to get a different interface? I would like to keep spending under $500.

 

[Tifstorey]

Most likely your sound card it's running through. You can pick up cheapish M Audio sound cards: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile2496-main.html which would give you a decent sound and would keep you well below your $500 budget.

If you bought that you could totally remove your Zoom 4 from the equation running your guitar directly into your computer or micing up your amp.

 

[TimOBrien]

If you're plugging the Zoom into the computer's built-in soundcard,
you're plugging into a card with less than $1 worth of parts..... of course that will sound bad.

Great soundcard guide and suggestions over at www.tweadheadz.com/guide.htm
(lots of other good advice too...)