Need help choosing soundcard

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Trotter

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My computer is an HP pavillion xe743
600mhz intel celeron processor
320 meg ram
HD rpm... I don't know

My cash is limited to around $250.00 I am looking for the card that offers the best bang for the buck. Hope one of you knowledgable people could help me out with this decision.
If you could offer some suggestions as to which soundcards will work with my limited computer system, I would appreciate it.

The Delta44 is one card that I am considering, as well as the Roland UA100 USB interface. Information on the Roland has been very hard to find. Any Roland UA100 users in this forum?

I have very limited knowledge about computers, and do appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

Thanks,
Trotter
 
The Delta is a good buy. I saw it recently for $229 at some Yahoo store. I'd recommend it over something like the Audiophile since you get 4 1/4" balanced ins & outs.

Slackmaster 2000
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...6110977244/search/g=home/detail/base_id/38384

This may be worth having if you're big into midi. Converters are only 20 bit. And appears to be $150ish over your budget.

Tell us a bit more about what you'd like to be able to do and what equipment you alreadt have; mics, mixer, etc.

In the mean time, check this out...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...6110977244/search/g=home/detail/base_id/52846

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...6110977244/search/g=home/detail/base_id/59234 to be used later with a delta if you get one.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...6110977244/search/g=home/detail/base_id/51874

http://www.marsmusic.com/store/prod...395&primarySkuId=9467&deptid=8&navAction=jump Probably best bang.
 
I will not be needing any midi inputs. All I need is a card with a couple of 1/4" anolog inputs. I will be playing all of the of the instruments on my recording.

Here's a list of my stuff:

Fender Strat
Dixon Bass el cheapo...
Rode NT1
Pod Line 6 version 2.0
Yamaha DX21 keyboard
Yamaha RX11 drum machine


Windows 98se
N-tracks
Goldwave

Will I need a mixer? I was hoping to use the n-tracks mixer.

Thanks,
Trotter
 
Nothing wrong with the software mixer.

I'm not really up on drum machines or keyboards. Are these USB midi? If not, wouldn't you want at least one midi input?

If you could pony up a couple more bucks I would recommend the Omni Studio. It's got two mic pres and no midi, but you can always grab a midiman later if needed.

The delta66 would be a good way to go initialy, and buy the omni breakout box later.

Does the pod work as a pre to bring guitar up to line level, or do you a pre?
 
The drum machine and keyboard have analog as well as midi outputs. I have been using the analog outs on both. Is there a big difference in the sound quality of the midi and analog outputs?The Pod has a built in preamp and sounds great.

I know now which card I will buy. Thanks all for the input.

Trotter
 
midi

Well, the thing about your midi outs is , you can record multiple tracks via midi (if your keyboard is multitimbral) which is very easy to edit/copy/paste etc And, in the end you will have to record an audio track from your keyboard analog out. But, if you are just using one patch, like pno or org it wouldn't buy you much
 
Just got my Delta 44 now what?

I now have my new Delta 44, and have some more basic questions before I attempt to install it.

I have read the instructions at the midiman site, they seem pretty straight forward. My first question is, what do I have to do before I install the card? At several forums I read something about disabling the current soundcard in the device manager before installing the Delta. Is that neccesary? How do I do it? It would be great if all I have to do is install the card and follow the instructions.

What about IRQ conflicts? The tech support person at midiman said the card would work as long as it wasn't on #9. My Riptide PCI audio card is set on 9. Should I just put the Delta card in and see what happens?

The specs for the Delta card says it requires a Pentium processor, I have a Celeron 600mhz. Does that make any difference?

In several threads I've read that HP Pavilions are not a good choice for recording. I guess what I'm wondering is if the Delta will work well with my Pavilion.

My last question... Hard drive rpm. I have a Quantum Fireball, and I'm not sure what the are rpms are. I've read that you need a fast hard drive to get a lot of tracks. I definately need at least twenty tracks. Is this doable with my current system?

Sorry for all of the stupid questions, but I want to make sure that this card will work well with my HP.

Thanks,
Trotter
 
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somebody answer these questions PLEASE!
im'm in the exact same boat!!!
 
Basically, the more tracks you record, the more you tax your computer's multitasking ability during play back. I've seen recording done on a pretty slow machine, but with some extra RAM added, we managed to record 24 tracks and have it play back without any glitches. RAM is pretty cheap - you can buy 256 Mb of RAM for peanuts nowadays.

Also, I would consider seeking out an audio interface that will allow you to connet your microphone to your system via XLR input. If you can't afford it, but an impedance converter that will allow you to convert the signal from your mic to a low impedance signal. These converters will adapt from XLR to 1/4". Just remember, you need to run phantom power mics at low impedance, and unless you are using XLR cords, or some kind of a converter/adapter, you'll make things sound pretty junky. (1/4" mic chords sound wooly to me - is "wooly" a word?)
 
Plenty o' ram

Ram is not a problem. Last week I had 256 installed with the 64 already in the mobo for 320 total. My main concern is the compatibility of the Delta card with my HP Pavilion. HP always seems to make simple things hard.

BTW, wooly is a word.
 
I have a Delta Audiophile running in my HP Pavillion...setup without a problem and has run since without a hitch.....
 
Gidge,

That's great news. I guess my main question is, do I have to do anything to disable the Riptide card in my pc before I install the Delta?

Thanks,
Trotter
 
The Riptide might or might not conflict with the Delta; all you can do is try! Or just disable it at the outset. There should be a setting to disable the on-board sound in the BIOS. Read the documentation on your PC.
 
Yes, in your computers control panel you should be able to select whith card your machine will be using. Also, I know in Cakewalk as well as Samplitude you can select which card will be used for recording, and which card will be used for playback. (Some guys still prefer to monitor out of the card that came with the machine (Actually, I think with Samlitude you HAVE TO monitor out of the card that came with it).

There shouldn't be any conflict between sound cards.
 
when i installed my Audiophile, i had the onboard card plus a Vortex card installed and i had no problems...i wouldnt recommend this, but it did work.....

id give it a shot and leave the Riptide be for the install if you are going to still be using it....if you wont be using it, go ahead and get rid of it before the install.....
 
Thanks everybody for all of the help. I'm gonna install my Delta tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

This is a cool place!!!

Peace,
Trotter
 
Everything is ok in Delta land

Installed my Delta 44 Saturday. I recorded several test tracks, and everything sounds great! Many thanks!!!

Trotter
 
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