IM on a soundcard hunt

[Klutch]

well i now am going to retire my creative sound blaster audigy platinum lol (actually for just me recording it has done me well, ill actually miss it)

Ok what im looking for is something around 300-500 or a little more that has atleast 8 inputs with good sound and preferably a break out box or some kind of mixer interface that runs firewire to the pc and records all my bands tracks seperately in cubase.

thanks for the help in advance.

 

[buckkillr8]

Are you set on a soundcard or are you open to interfaces as well?

 

[TimOBrien]

Here's a good guide and tested suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

 

[suprstar]

Soundcard, interface, they're the same thing in my book. Interfaces appear as a sound card to windows. Technically your SB is a 2x2 interface with a stereo line in, 1 really crappy mic pre, and the best AD converters you can build with 43¢

I have a Phonic Helix 18 mixer, it has 16 channels with firewire. The pre's are noisy, but it's great with my outboard pre's and line-in stuff. Alesis also makes some firewire mixers, the Multimix 8 is in your price range. Sound is tapped right after the pre/gain, so you can monitor eq and fx while recording a dry signal.

For standard rack interfaces, Presonus Firepod / firestudio / fp10 or whatever they're called are highly regarded, as is anything made by MOTU. They can do everything the fw mixers can (i think?), you just have to do the mixing on screen with the software mixer.

 

[buckkillr8]

Soundcard, interface, they're the same thing in my book.

True, I meant if he was looking for PCI or a standalone interface.

 

[Klutch]

thanks for the help i went ahead and got the firestudio project. the pres actually sound really clean in it. I know alot people have had issues but i have had none yet.