basic question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rusty K
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Rusty K

New member
Could someone please clear this up for me? If I am only using my computer to master and to transfer audio files from one format to another how does the quality of the soundcard come into play?

Rusty K
 
How are you getting the files into the computer, and how are you monitoring the audio when mastering? Both of these could potentially involve the quality of the I/O on the soundcard.
 
Since mastering involves listening and listening involves the soundcard....I would say that "yes", your soundcard is very important.

Does it, itself, do anything to the quality of the audio files? Only if you're recording with it.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Thanks Jon X,

I've just downloaded CDex 1.20 beta 9. as a means of compressing my bands demo for our web page. This software, if I'm understanding correctly, bypasses the soundcard when introducing audio into the computer from a CD,instead of transfering the signal into analog then back to digital as a soundcard would do. Since I have a Mini disc recorder I figured that would work OK.

I obviously need to bone up on computer audio mastering, I'm a newbie. Is there an easily accessable resource besides this forum to go to for a tutorial?

Thanks again
Rusty K
 
Damn I'm played professionally for years and recorded often though never enough and I'm still so in the dark about the technical side it's frustrating.

So, am I defeating the purpose of my mastering software to record with my 4trac and mix it down to mini disc then give it to my software. Would it be better to send my individual tracs into the computer?

Rusty K
 
even the cheapest "built in" soundcards can give you better quality than a cheap 4 track.. if you already have a computer you should give computer recording a try.. i cant see spending good money on a soundcard to then import audio from a 4 track unless its archived stuff that you cant reproduce over again.. or..if your minidisc has spdif you can get a soundcard with spdif ins an you wont lose any sound quality..but then when you master your still using a cheap soundcard..

look into computer recording..its easier than you might think...

- eddie -
 
Thanks everyone! It seems the more I learn the more confused I get about which step to take next. I guess I'll just keep soaking up information until I have a Eureka! moment.

Rusty K
 
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