TMatt142
New member
I'm trying to get things together to build my first computer dedicated to recording and ran across this. Is this a pretty good soundcard?
Jeff_D
New member
If you can do without the ADAT, I'd look at the M-Audio Audiophile 2496.
I dont like Creative / Emu (my 2cents).
What are you recording? Is 2 analog inputs enough? Do you have mics and preamps already? There's plenty of questions you could/should be asking yourself (or the people here) if you dont already have a plan in place.
I dont like Creative / Emu (my 2cents).
What are you recording? Is 2 analog inputs enough? Do you have mics and preamps already? There's plenty of questions you could/should be asking yourself (or the people here) if you dont already have a plan in place.
TMatt142
New member
yeah, that's the thing...I kind of have a plan in place but I just don't need a bunch of inputs and outputs. I'm open to just about anything, I just want to keep things as simple as possible without breaking my budget. I've also got a complete Daw system to assemble. The only constant right now is I'll be running Sonar 7, and I record almost everything direct.
Jeff_D
New member
I assume Sonar 7 will work with about any soundcard or interface (i.e. not like Protools).
To start out, if you just need a pair of inputs, its hard to go wrong with the MAudio card. For one, I'd buy MAudio (or just about anything) over Creative/Emu. For two,I just saw the 2496 card on zzounds.com for like $85. So even if you decide you need more inputs later, you can add another MAudio card, or scrap that all together and go with something like the Firepod.
I use a 2496 card in my living room computer to play mp3s through my home stereo set up. I use (2) 1010lt cards in my recording computer. I've had nothing but good luck with these guys for the last 7 or 8 years now. Solid hardware and solid drivers.
Again, just my 2c. There's probably a few people out there (or here, even) that really like the emu stuff... but I'm not one of them...
To start out, if you just need a pair of inputs, its hard to go wrong with the MAudio card. For one, I'd buy MAudio (or just about anything) over Creative/Emu. For two,I just saw the 2496 card on zzounds.com for like $85. So even if you decide you need more inputs later, you can add another MAudio card, or scrap that all together and go with something like the Firepod.
I use a 2496 card in my living room computer to play mp3s through my home stereo set up. I use (2) 1010lt cards in my recording computer. I've had nothing but good luck with these guys for the last 7 or 8 years now. Solid hardware and solid drivers.
Again, just my 2c. There's probably a few people out there (or here, even) that really like the emu stuff... but I'm not one of them...
TMatt142
New member
I was just throwing it out there just to get some opinions. I'm completely clueless about this stuff since I'm just now getting into computer recording. There is so much out there that it becomes a bit confusing to me. I've heard bad things about USB, Not sure about RCA. I mean, what really is the best type of connection for an interface? I'm probably making this a lot more complicated than what it really is....Think I better just do a bit more research.
Jeff_D
New member
I hear ya. There are ALOT of options. Hang out around here and read. There is plenty to learn here.
What exactly do you want to record? Just a vocal and acoustic guitar? A full band w/ drums? any midi?
I would say your analog input connection options are;
XLR (mic level, i.e. the interface has built in mic pres like a Firepod)
1/4" TRS (tip, ring, sleeve 3 wire connection)
1/4" TS or RCA (unbalanced 1/4" tip, sleeve or rca 2 wire connection)
The best type of connection for your interface really depends on what you are pluging into it. Other then the plug theres really no difference between an rca connection and an unbalanced 1/4" connection (other than maybe you need to add an adapater). Balanced 1/4" connections reduce noise but from what I've read, thats really more critical when you have longer cable runs.
Do you already have mics and preamps?
Hope some of that helps...
What exactly do you want to record? Just a vocal and acoustic guitar? A full band w/ drums? any midi?
I would say your analog input connection options are;
XLR (mic level, i.e. the interface has built in mic pres like a Firepod)
1/4" TRS (tip, ring, sleeve 3 wire connection)
1/4" TS or RCA (unbalanced 1/4" tip, sleeve or rca 2 wire connection)
The best type of connection for your interface really depends on what you are pluging into it. Other then the plug theres really no difference between an rca connection and an unbalanced 1/4" connection (other than maybe you need to add an adapater). Balanced 1/4" connections reduce noise but from what I've read, thats really more critical when you have longer cable runs.
Do you already have mics and preamps?
Hope some of that helps...