do I need a new soundcard?

[brandon.w]

I haven't started seriously recording on my computer yet...right now I have a little custom build PC with integrated audio, I don't know what it's called or anything...anyway I was looking at recording solutions and I've been thinking most about the Edirol UA-700...simply because it's got cosm modeling as well as the mic inputs and phantom power, midi interface and usb (my computer doesn't have any firewire ports)all for ammount of cash Ic ould get selling some of this old shit I have in storage that I never touch...anyway. once I get this little box will I need to get a better soundcard? does the usb totally bypass the soundcard for recording? or does it just bybass the inputs of the card?

 

[Phyl]

Your Edirol - in conjuction with whatever tracking software you buy - will take care of recording and playing back music that you compose. You'll need microphone(s) and a set of monitors or headphones to get information in/out of the Edirol.

You don't need to buy another soundcard since the one that came with your computer is fine for playing CDs and MP3s you download from the net. This card will continue to use whatever computer monitor speakers you currently have.

Some folks use the soundcard that came with their computer to augment their recording hardware, for instance, a soundblaster live card can be used to play sound fonts, but be aware that specialized units like the Edirol sometimes have problems sharing system resources with other sound cards. Not always, but sometimes.

 

[brandon.w]

cool, thanks a lot!...okay:

-computer (1ghz celeron with 1gb of ram) running reason, fruityloops and cubase.

-edirol ua-700

-midi keyboard (I have a crappy one now that I glued a couple keys back into place, they seem to be holding well though, should I run this through the edirol, or should I buy a new USB one and run it through that way?)

-some cheap little monitors until i can afford real ones (roland ma-8s or those edirol micros)

-mics, I have a few laying around (an audix om-2 and a sm57)

-misc. physical instruments.

I should be set right?

 

[Phyl]

Sounds like like you're ready to go.

Is your keyboard simply a keyboard (only produces MIDI output) or is it a synthesizer? If it only produces MIDI signals then you'll either need a sound module or some software synth to produce sound from the MIDI. I'm not familiar with Reason or Cubase, maybe they have soft synth capability.

 

[brandon.w]

yeah that's right...reason is basically a big collection of softsynths, sequencers and softsamplers....and cubase supports VSTi instruments.