Define 'good' and 'better'

[jsv08]

Define 'good' and 'better' -soundcard/pre

First, a little background. I have a guitar, a Sansamp gt2, and a Pavilion with, of course, the Riptide card. That's it! Of course I have the same question everyone does. I want a better sound! heh..

The problem is, as I've gone through the forums looking for advice (preamps and soundcards specifically), everyone says, 'you need a good preamp', or 'buy a better soundcard', without really detailing the impact that either will have on your recordings SONICALLY and in terms of the acual audio quality. I'm not interested in 'features' or 'capabilities'. I've provided a link to a short clip I just recorded using just my Sansamp into the computer. Can anyone tell me exactly how a better soundcard or preamp will affect the sound?? Again, I don't experience problems with the actual recording aspect (ie. dropout, etc), and I just want to know how the sound quality will be affected. Quite frankly, this sounds like garbage, but I need a more specific answer concerning soundcards/preamps before I consider upgrading. I would LOVE to actually hear some before/after samples contrasting something akin to my bare bones setup and a setup including a better preamp/soundcard!! THAT would be ideal!! I don't suppose there would be anything like that out on the web, eh? Also, a longshot here, but I'm gonna provide the settings I used for this clip on the gt2 JUST IN CASE someone out there decides to record a short little something for me to compare with!! heh.. (seriously, no pressure!)

Settings: (for easy comparison)

Mic - Center, MOD - Hi Gain, Amp - Cali

Level - 12 o clock
High - 1 or 2 o clock, pointing to dead middle of arrows
Low - 3 o clock
Drive - 12 o clock

I really appreciate it! Thanks!

JS

 

[AlChuck]

You're in the realm of the subjective, so you're asking for something no one can really give you. The soundcard itself, while pretty -- er -- sucky -- should record a relatively clear and noiseless signal compared to a cassette multitracker. Good preamps, high-end converters, all that can make a huge difference in the perfection of a sound, but from the signal out of a SansAmp, you should be able to do fine. If it doesn't sound fine to you it's either (1) poor recording technique (level problems, inept use of EQ and effects, etc.) or (2) a poor source -- noisy, bad tone, whatever.

What I'm trying to say is, you should be able to get a very acceptable recording from a good source signal into even low-end sound hardware on any modern computer. The difference between this and a great recording is subtle and requires more than just good equipment.

That clip you provided sounds pretty OK to me... what's so terrible about it?

 

[jsv08]

Thanks for the reply!

However, I'm not looking for advice on how to get a better sound, but rather, a better description of how 'better' hardware will affect the sound (ie. not just descriptions of the bells and whistles of a particular unit). I provided the clip and settings simply as a reference point (not as an example of a sound that I want to make better) so others may be able to better detail how a bare bones, unprocessed, sloppily played sound will be affected by better equipment. THAT is what I'm interested in! Thanks again!

JS

Still too subjective??? ahh well.. heh