Best soundcard for my needs? vocal recording mainly

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iamme

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possible setups i've been looking at-

1. m audio delta omni
in- at3035-->delta omni preamp--> delta soundcard
OR at3035-->presonus tubepre--> delta omni line in --> delta soundcard

+ basically a delta 66 with extra preamps and headphone inputs. i don't have a mixer currently, so i definitely need a place to plug my headphones in. the preamps could be handy also.
- out of production, have to get used- might be lacking in support
- no midi inputs. i want to get a midi controller soon, and don't want to deal with poor latency found in usb devices.

2. m audio audiophile 2496 + mackie vlz 1402
in- at3035--> mackie vlz 1402 preamp--> m audio audiophile 2496
OR at3035--> presonus tubepre-->mackie vlz line in--> m audio audiophile

+ midi inputs
+ more inputs through mackie for more expandability
- longer signal path. i want to be able to run the presonus tubepre through the line in. is there a way to bypass the pre amps in the mackie? would the mackie alter the signal from the external preamp? i realize that the mackie preamps probably sound better than the presonus, but i would like the flexibility of possibly running through a preamp to mixer to card.

3. m audio delta 1010 + mackie vlz 1402
in- at3035-->presonus tubepre-->delta breakout box-->soundcard
out- delta line out-->mackie vlz

+ midi inputs and balanced in and outs. i think i'd mainly be getting this so i would have midi ins.
+ external a/d convertors in the breakout box
+ most flexible setup
- most expensive setup. i would stretch if i could justify it, though.
- probably not necessary at this point. the mackie would probably just be used as a headphone amp at this point, but i could later use it to route other equipment.



i'd like to get as few pieces of equipment as possible.

the main thing i'm concerned about is not overbuying or just getting a soundcard and setup that i'm not going to be able to maximize or don't really need. if i'm just using one line in, is the 1010 even necessary?

on the other hand, i don't want to buy some cheap equipment and end up selling it in a few months after i outgrow it.

i've been going crazy trying to get the best possible setup, there are just so many options!

what would you pick up in my situation? i was planning on spending between $200-500.
 
Be carefull with presonus (at least the "cheap toob prés").They are included in almost all the sets you are thinking.
I try the two ones (tubepre and bluetube DP).They looks cool, has blue lights shinning and a VU ,cool too,but...I A/B the 2 with a (cheap tube pre too)behringer ultragain mic 2200 and (my opinion): no improvement over the cheap behringer.

Instead, try the M audio Dmp3 (honestly I never use it, but it seems a good value in this price range (almost everybody likes)).

Or even the mackie prés.

2496 is a good conversor, but the audiophile 192 (same number of inputs and two outputs more)is a little more expensive and the conversors are better.
 
CIRO said:
Be carefull with presonus (at least the "cheap toob prés").They are included in almost all the sets you are thinking.
I try the two ones (tubepre and bluetube DP).They looks cool, has blue lights shinning and a VU ,cool too,but...I A/B the 2 with a (cheap tube pre too)behringer ultragain mic 2200 and (my opinion): no improvement over the cheap behringer.

Instead, try the M audio Dmp3 (honestly I never use it, but it seems a good value in this price range (almost everybody likes)).

Or even the mackie prés.

2496 is a good conversor, but the audiophile 192 (same number of inputs and two outputs more)is a little more expensive and the conversors are better.


I'll second the DMP3, and reccomend the VTb-1 for the same price as the tubepre. I owned the Presonus Tubpre for about 4 hours on a "take it home and try it out" kinda thing at GC. I returned it the same day.

With your choice of Interfaces you really can't go too wrong, if your trying to justify the 1010 and can't, look into the Delta 44, Delta 66 or Firewire 410(I've seen all 3 on MFs clearance section today for $129, $149, $249 refurbished though) new they are $149, $169, $299 I think.
 
iamme said:
don't want to deal with poor latency found in usb devices.
This is a myth.

Latency, poor or rich, has nothing to do with the port you plug the device into. It has to do with the drivers you employ for the software program you are using. Stick with ASIO drivers and you'll be pleased to find no latency to speak of either over USB, Firewire or a properly installed midi interface.

I use one of these and use the midi in on the breakout cable as the main midi in to my system. Alternatively you could go with this and add a USB keyboard or midi interface at a later time. Both have very good sounding microphone preamps, a step above the Mackie vlz series and far above the Presonus tube pre.




.
 
thanks for the replies.

does anyone know if it would be alright to run a preamp into the line in on the mixer?

if i upgrade my presonus to something better, i'm trying to run it through the line in on the mixer. i know everyone says that less devices in the signal path is better, but will i REALLY notice that much of a difference over plugging the preamp straight into the card? i'm planning on using monster cables on all this btw.
 
ssscientist said:
This is a myth.

Latency, poor or rich, has nothing to do with the port you plug the device into. It has to do with the drivers you employ for the software program you are using. Stick with ASIO drivers and you'll be pleased to find no latency to speak of either over USB, Firewire or a properly installed midi interface.

I use one of these and use the midi in on the breakout cable as the main midi in to my system. Alternatively you could go with this and add a USB keyboard or midi interface at a later time. Both have very good sounding microphone preamps, a step above the Mackie vlz series and far above the Presonus tube pre.




.



how can you tell what drivers you're using? is there some way to change this in whatever program i'm running? i currently run acid, vegas, and soundforge.
 
When you install the CD that comes with one of the many soundcards mentioned in this thread it will show up in the control panel of your computer and will install ASIO and WDM drivers.

What are you using for a soundcard now?
 
iamme said:
how can you tell what drivers you're using? is there some way to change this in whatever program i'm running? i currently run acid, vegas, and soundforge.


I use Vegas too.
You can choose ASIO mode (and work with real time monitoring).
(the Asio mode is only available in version 4 and "up" (??)(whats the term in english??? :confused: :confused:i have no dicionary here). :D :D
I´m far from my city and my recording sistem, but i´ll try...let me see... select properties/audio...and then click in ASIO option.To use ,for example, a reverb or any other plugin in recording ,ability only monitor out, and down the input faders(in software driver).You must have to apply (Vegas) the "monitor input" (near the vol control of each track,with right side of mouse).
And select low values (ex: 128 or 256 , and you will get short times of latency in 44.1 ( if you rec in higher sample rates,latecy goes down).

If i´m wrong in some way sorry,I own a M audio audiophile 192, for me tht´s the way. Other guys that use Vegas can maybe explain better(i,m without my DAW here, and very far from my city)
 
mentalattica said:
I'll second the DMP3, and reccomend the VTb-1 for the same price as the tubepre. I owned the Presonus Tubpre for about 4 hours on a "take it home and try it out" kinda thing at GC. I returned it the same day.

With your choice of Interfaces you really can't go too wrong, if your trying to justify the 1010 and can't, look into the Delta 44, Delta 66 or Firewire 410(I've seen all 3 on MFs clearance section today for $129, $149, $249 refurbished though) new they are $149, $169, $299 I think.

hey,ssscientist...10 outs,better pres than "tube" line and much more ...it seems a very good choice to a sistem (and cheapest than m-audio 410 or similar,I think). (do you make some sound comparision (M audio fireware/ Mbox and this firebox?)
 
ssscientist said:
When you install the CD that comes with one of the many soundcards mentioned in this thread it will show up in the control panel of your computer and will install ASIO and WDM drivers.

What are you using for a soundcard now?

currently running a soundblaster audigy 2ex
 
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