Computer question.

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the_grudge

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What is the best sound card and software to being building a recording PC?
 
No.....What is it that you want to do?


I can say the best is something that 64 inputs and 4 band eq with focus rite preamps....but then if i told you that it costs above $10,000, youd ask, "whats in the price range xxx-xxx?"


So why dont you just ask the real question...."What is the best sound card I can get for (insert your reason for wanting a DAW here) and which doesnt cost more than (insert your budget here)?
 
that's a pretty broad question. what do you have to spend? what do you want to record? what kind of computer is it? how many ins do you need? and how many outs? also, what type of input/outputs -- 1/4", 1/8", RCA, S/PDIF? do you need MIDI ports?

Jason
 
Easy.
You'll need a G5 quad Macintosh, 20 inch studio monitor, 2x 250GB hard drives, 8GB RAM, running Logic Pro 7 and the soundcard will have to be the MOTU 896HD firewire device.
The channel strips you'll need for recording vocals are a pair of Avalon VT737s and a couple of Neumann U87 microphones.
Finally, for listening back you're going to want a pair of KRK V8s.

Come and see me at the shop to purchase all of the above so I can get a huge commission on the sale.
LOL! :D
(Would be a nice setup though, eh folks!?) :cool:

grudge, all frivolity aside, have a think about what you need in the way of inputs/outputs and what kind of music you are wanting to record.
Go and investigate some soundcards which might do the trick in the price range you can afford then ask the forum for some input on their thoughts.

Happy hunting!
Dags
 
Just for shits and giggles, you say you've been recording for 3 years, what kind of hardware were you using before now??

Jason
 
I used to use a four channel PA, sent through a 1/4 to stereo converter into the computer, running acid pro. The results were never impressive, but mostly just for shits and giggles. However, i have recently started getting serious about recording.

Some friends and i have recently (in a span of maybe 4 or 5 months) bought a Yamaha MG16/6FX 16-Input 6 Bus Mixer, a CAD PRO Drum microphone set (7), 2 Sennheiser E609 Silver Dynamic Guitar Mics, as well as a MXL 990 Condenser Mic. Weve mostly been using them to play live, but id like to start recording as well.

As far as my price range for the computer, all i need is advice on a sound card, and recording software. On of my friends is very expierenced in computer modding, as well as building, but dosnt know where to go in terms of an audio card, or converting hardware for 1/4th jack, as well as software.


Im looking to spend around 200 - 300 on software, and as well as 300 for hardware. Hopefully that better phrases the question.
 
there is some software you can get for free... but you'll probably get something with your sound card.

if you don't need pre-amps, the PCI-based M-Audio Delta 1010 is pretty good, otherwise check out the tascam FW1804 or the prosonus firepod. if you've really got money, or generous relative (since this is the holiday season) the MOTU 828mkII.

Jason
 
the_grudge said:
I used to use a four channel PA, sent through a 1/4 to stereo converter into the computer, running acid pro. The results were never impressive, but mostly just for shits and giggles. However, i have recently started getting serious about recording.

Some friends and i have recently (in a span of maybe 4 or 5 months) bought a Yamaha MG16/6FX 16-Input 6 Bus Mixer, a CAD PRO Drum microphone set (7), 2 Sennheiser E609 Silver Dynamic Guitar Mics, as well as a MXL 990 Condenser Mic. Weve mostly been using them to play live, but id like to start recording as well.

As far as my price range for the computer, all i need is advice on a sound card, and recording software. On of my friends is very expierenced in computer modding, as well as building, but dosnt know where to go in terms of an audio card, or converting hardware for 1/4th jack, as well as software.


Im looking to spend around 200 - 300 on software, and as well as 300 for hardware. Hopefully that better phrases the question.
Click to expand...

this is all fine, but how many tracks do you want to be able to record at once? Is it okay to record all the instrument you (and/or you/your band might play) all into one track? the latter would save money, but the former will give better results after mastering, IMHO.

Jason
 
the_grudge said:
Some friends and i have recently (in a span of maybe 4 or 5 months) bought a Yamaha MG16/6FX 16-Input 6 Bus Mixer, a CAD PRO Drum microphone set (7), 2 Sennheiser E609 Silver Dynamic Guitar Mics, as well as a MXL 990 Condenser Mic. Weve mostly been using them to play live, but id like to start recording as well.

Im looking to spend around 200 - 300 on software, and as well as 300 for hardware. Hopefully that better phrases the question.
Click to expand...

Hey grudge
If you have 6 busses available on your desk, consider an audio card that can accommodate those outputs. Will be excellent for recording drums and maintaining some separation for mixing later on!
Will cost a fair bit more than a standard 2in/2out card though.

For 8in/8out options, take a look at the M-Audio Delta1010, the Echo Layla3G or MOTU 2408 Mk3 for PCI-based cards. If Firewire is more the go, then these companies also make some really nice Firewire audio converters.
(Others on this forum will be able to list others, my brain is full)

Have a think about what you would *like* to be doing in the future and get gear which will enable you to work up to that level. If you can afford something a bit better and more flexible now, it will save buying several bits of intermediate gear which you may grow out of fairly fast (yes, unfortunately I'm speaking from experience, dagnab it!)

Dags
 
I suppose it might be suitable as a startup, but you'll undoubtedly be wanting to expand later on when you get better at recording and want more drum separation (as indicated by the mic pack you listed).

What it doesn't say is whether the ADAT optical interface can utilise the full 8 tracks of audio via the lightpipe or if it has been trimmed back to stereo. My guess is that it is limited to two channels only ("24-bit/192kHz ADAT In/Out (switchable to S/PDIF)")

If it utilised the full 8 channels of optical, there's a great way of expanding later on if you want to just by adding an analogue to optical interface to your rig.

For the price, it doesn't seem too bad. EMU have had a good reputation in the past.

Try it out and see, I guess!

Good luck!
Dags
 
Dags said:
I suppose it might be suitable as a startup, but you'll undoubtedly be wanting to expand later on when you get better at recording and want more drum separation (as indicated by the mic pack you listed).

What it doesn't say is whether the ADAT optical interface can utilise the full 8 tracks of audio via the lightpipe or if it has been trimmed back to stereo. My guess is that it is limited to two channels only ("24-bit/192kHz ADAT In/Out (switchable to S/PDIF)")

If it utilised the full 8 channels of optical, there's a great way of expanding later on if you want to just by adding an analogue to optical interface to your rig.

For the price, it doesn't seem too bad. EMU have had a good reputation in the past.

Try it out and see, I guess!

Good luck!
Dags
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help!
 
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