Need a quality pro audio card for under $300

[sethleonard]

I'm in the process of creating a completly computer based system of recording my music. I'm not dealing with MIDI as I am pretty much sticking to .wav files (borrowed, edited, and created) and my voice. I'm using ACID Music to lay everything down, but need a good professional audio card for high quality input and output as I am planning on releasing a CD. Does anyone have a suggestion as to a card I can get for less than $300 (or around) that will serve my purpose?

Thanks 1,000,000.

Seth

 

[houdini]

If you don't need a midi input, the Dman 2044 by Midiman has 4 ins and 4 outs and you can get it mail order for $250 +/-. I haven't completed a project yet, but what I have so far seems to be fairly noise free. Please keep in mind that I have no basis of comparison with other sound cards. But, it sure is less noisy than my old Tascam 4 track.

 

[robertisaac]

im in your shoes of buying a soundcard now i am not a pro....but the darla, gina and layla have been known to be made by ..event....they are no distributing them....echo will continue to ....prices have dropped dramatically....i just saw the darla for $199...that's with 2 inputs and 8 outs.....RCA.....now they are now coming out with the darla 24 (24 bit recording)...$379....and it comes with 2 in 8 out but and outboard box with 1/4" connections pretty cool....i have experience with the gina card and must say i liked it....but i think im gonna go with this darla....now i've also heard some cool stuff about the lexicon..card

 

[Rhoadz]

I use a MidiMan 2044. Low noise, no unnessary
extras. The big factors that i found helpful in picking the dman were: # of inputs needed at 1 time (2 isn't enoungh for me);and the outputs of all my gear were 1/4 in plugs which match the inputs on the dman. If i'm not mistaken the event cards have RCA in's and it saves me a lot of cable adapters.

good luck.

 

[Ranger]

I've been using the Guillemot ISIS Maxi-Studio for about a month now and am very happy. Its a PCI card that gives you 8 ins,4 outs and SPDIF ins /outs (optical and coaxial) on a nicely designed breakout box. It also has pretty good midi capability. You can get it for about $300 on the street. Installation was a breeze! No conflicts thus far.