better soundcard OR decent card + mixer

[monster]

hey! I'm nearing the end of round one with my home recording set-up and I have a specific question about a soundcard decision. first, here's my daw:

p4 2.2
1024 mb ddr
20g maxtor ata133 7200
60g " "
matrox g450 16mb
XP
Sonar 2.0

Right now I have an audiophile 2496 and a presonus bluetube preamp. I record acoustic guitars, acoustic drums (I need 4 in now, up to 8(?) later. electric guitars (straight in stereo), a midi keyboard controller and vocals. not all at once of course. The drums require the most and I need minimally 6 ins and 8 would be great (bass, 2 overheads, snare, and either 2 or 4 tom mics). I have 4 mics- bd, snare and 2 overheads now.

here's the question (or my option as I see it): do I get a decent soundcard (I am seriously considering the delta 1010lt) and couple it with a good mixer (mackie 1604?) for preamps/mixing or do I go with an outstanding soundcard w/necessary preamps (????) and do all software mixing. I think I could do the 1010lt + used mixer for about $900 so let's say if I go with the better soundcard I'd need to spend less than that. thanks for any advice!

 

[dumass]

i guess it all depends on your preference, but for me, i would go with the better sound card...although i do think that the delta 1010 is great. also consider soundcraft mixers, which what i've heard lots of great things about. i myself perfer mixing in the software with my waves renaissance bundle plug-ins.

 

[Seanmorse79]

If you're anything like me, you'll end-up mixing with the software anyway, unless you have enough outboard gear to make it practical (I can't stand playing the cable-swapping game).

One thing to keep in mind, is the Delta 1010LT, while it's a very good card, has no breakout box. The converters are on the card, inside your electronically noisy computer. The importance of this is debatable, but we do know that it's not the best way to go.

If it were me, I'd consider the Delta 1010 (not the LT) and a good used mixer. Might take a bit longer to find a good deal, but you'd end up with better stuff for the same cash. I'd also consider something like the Aardvark Q-10 without the mixer.

For the record, I ended up with a C-Port and a used mixer (for about $600 total) and am pretty happy with the results.