Homestudio setup help!

[amt7565]

hello folks!
I am faily new to MIDI. Please answer the following questions. It will greatly benefit me. Thank you!

1. I only use one Guitar to plug into the "line in" of my 'Soundblaster digital value" sound card. Is this soundcard good enough? Or do I need an external sound card?

2. I am using SONAR and DXi softsynths. But I'd love a more realistic sound. Will changing the sound card help? Or do I need to get an external sound module? What is recommended?

3. Is a mixer necessary to use only 1 guitar input and all the rest of the tracks for internal MIDI? If not, is a mixer recommeneded if I am using an external synth module?

4. While performing my final 'mixdown' from MIDI to Audio, the sound degrades. How can I prevent this? Will a better sound card help?
To summarize, I am asking how I can setup a decent homestudio.
Thanks again!

 

[TexRoadkill]

All your questions seem to point to a new soundcard. Yes a pro souncard will have much greater quality if you give them a good clean signal.

Mixers serve as Preamps to help boost the signal before it goes to the recorder and to mix several sources at once. If you just want to record 1 or 2 tracks at a time then you can just get a nice preamp. A mixer will have more fexility but the preamps on the cheaper ones are pretty bad.

You would be well served by a Mackie 1202 and one of the cheaper Delta sound cards.

Generally speaking external sound modules will give you the best sound quality. A better sound card will help your softsynths but not by much. You can get new samples for them also.

 

[amt7565]

Thanks Tex.
So, I guess I will go and get a sound card. I play guitar well and I want to make sure it comes clean on audio. I have tried it on my soundblaster. After mixing, recording etc etc. it sounds dull on the final mix when I put it on a home stereo system.

Do you have any recommendations for a decent, but affordable MIDI soundmodule I can use SONAR with?
Thanks!