Do you need pre amped mic inputs?

[Mongoo]

I'm looking for some type of sound card (mostlikely external) that can work to turn a lap top into a good multitrack. From what I've read so far alot of people like RME's hammerfall multiface card. Something I noticed about it though is that there are no Mic inputs. Arn't those important? Or do you just need to have a pre amped mixer to send the mics out into one of the 8 1/4" plugs it offers.

Also the add mentioned that it could record 4 channels with the optical input. Just how many tracks can it record at once? Can it record mics? for the actuall recording does the software program just recignize there being so many line-ins to choose from to set all your track up with?

Thanks

 

[Slackmaster2K]

Soundcards with built-in mic preamps are really kind of rare. Typically a soundcard system will just have line inputs for analog equipment and usually some kind of digital I/O for connecting digital gear.

The multiface, for instance, has 8 line level analog inputs & outputs. "Line level" is a somewhat standard reference, and you can connect anything with a "line out" into a line level input.

A microphone doesn't have a line level output, it has a microphone level output. Yes you are correct in that you'll need a mic preamp. You can either buy external, standalone units or a mixer with mic preamps and the appropriate outputs (or a combination of the two). I would say that most people into computer based multitrack recording use standalone mic preamps.

Regarding your "how many tracks can I record at once" question... it looks like it can record 8 mono analog sources simultaneously, and 2 mono or one stereo SPDIF sources for a total of 10 sources (assuming you're not using ADATs).

The total number of tracks you'll have in your project is dependent upon the software you use and the power of your computer. Just because your soundcard has a hard limit on the number of simultaneous sources it can record, it doesn't mean that you can overdub as many tracks as you want!

Slackmaster 2000

 

[Mongoo]

Thanks for the reply.


How many tracks can I overdub at the same time? I don't have a lap top yet so what would you reccamend. I hear you can only upgrade the memory on them so I'ld be best to get it right the first time. Also how much does a stand alone 8+ channel mic pre ampe - Line out mixer cost?

Say I don't mean to sound dumb but what type of hook ups are SPDIF, Optical, ADAT and what are they used for? Whats the difference from those to mic & line inputs?

THanks again