mixing boards

[FourEyesRock]

hey guys another question...whats the purpose of having a nice soundcard such as the delta 66 if you have a mixer...i mean wouldnt just any sound card suffice and give you a high quality recording? im looking for a extremly beautiful, stereo, packed with a punch sound and im looking into the delta 66 card and possibly a mixer but im debating whether i really need one....can someoen help me out on this decision...would both together be a killer combo and ravage this planet with amazing recording sounds? hellllllllp....thanks guys

 

[Barometer]

I'm no expert, but I use my mixer to preamp as well as to ensure I get the best signal going to the soundcard. I use a Delta 1010 and can't plug straight into it with a mic or instrument, therefore the mixer. And I like to fine tune before the computer since we monitor live from the mixer as well as send the tracks to the computer

 

[gordone]

Welcome to the BBS!
Audio is generally analog. To get it into your PC, you need to convert the analog signals into 0s and 1s (Digital). This is essentially what your soundcard does. So the final results is extremely dependent on the quality of your soundcard. Soundblasters as well as built-into-the-motherboard soundcards do not this very well. They do an ok job, but if compare those results to a Delta 44/66, you will be blown away. Better frequency response, quieter, just overall better sounding, in addition to allowing 24 bit recording, as well as greater sampling rates (how often the card takes a digital snapshot of the incoming audio, the 24-bit part refers to the size of each snapshot)
So if you have the best mixer in the world (Neve, SSL, etc..) and plug it into your soundblaster, you will be dissapointed to say the least! I say go for the Delta card!

Oh yeah, with the Delta cards you will need a mixer or standalone preamps if you are recording any microphone inputs...

 

[TexRoadkill]

Good answers from everyone. There is also the issue of inputs/outputs. If you only have 2 then you can never record more than 2 tracks at once or mixdown more than 2 tracks at once on your console.

FYI- Delta stuff is good but hardly pro. It's pretty much minimum requirements for demo quality recordings. If you are really serious you are looking at much more expensive convertors and interfaces.

 

[FourEyesRock]

thanks guys

thanks a lot for all the help but soem other small questions...ok so if the delta 66 is roughly used for semi good recording for demos then what soundcards would be pro quality sound? i mean ive heard a lot about the yamaha dsp2416 (i think thats it) ya know the one with like 6 rca outs and ins, 32 bit n such, but i mean is that really a pro card? what about the lynx 2...ive heard something about that as well. im basically looking for the best sound possible right now...i have money (ive been saving forever) and i have ebay (you know you love it) so i just need to know what a pro sounding soundcard would be (of course along with a very nice mixer but thats later)

 

[Barometer]

I've heard that some of the RME stuff is considered "pro quality" and affordable, but I don't know from experience.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Re: thanks guys

thanks a lot for all the help but soem other small questions...ok so if the delta 66 is roughly used for semi good recording for demos then what soundcards would be pro quality sound? i mean ive heard a lot about the yamaha dsp2416 (i think thats it) ya know the one with like 6 rca outs and ins, 32 bit n such, but i mean is that really a pro card? what about the lynx 2...ive heard something about that as well. im basically looking for the best sound possible right now...i have money (ive been saving forever) and i have ebay (you know you love it) so i just need to know what a pro sounding soundcard would be (of course along with a very nice mixer but thats later)

At the higher end your looking at stuff like the ProTools or Radar 24 systems that have their own convertors or stand alone convertors from Apogee, Lucid, Cranesong and others that will connect to your computer via a sound card with digital i/o like ADAT lightpipe or TDIF.

Semi pro convertors usually run around $100 per channel and pro usually runs around $500+. The Radar 24 is the best bang for the buck offering 24channels of 24bit/44.1/96Khz for $4500 but it can only be used on their recorders.