Need to know more about sound cards

[danondrums]

I'm new to this whole BBS thing, so I hope I'm doing it right...

Straight to the point:

I have been demo-ing bands (inclucing my own) on a DAW, but it only uses two inputs, and doesn't have wave editing or very fancy effects features (no real visual wave, time line type stuff) which I need for some advanced recording applications. So, I've come to the conclusion that I need to expand into computer based recording to affordably increase my tracking and mixing capabilities. I have acquired software that I think I will work well for me, but I still have this problem with being able to record more than 1 or 2 tracks simultaneously (especially where live drum tracking is involved). Am I doomed to make an additional investment in a 1010 card? Is it really the only way to silmutrack? I recently saw special XLR style snake cables that had an S/PDIF style connection at the end; could it be that I can multitrack using a sound card with an S/PDIF input in this manner?

I'm excellent with a DAW, but a mere beginner with PC based stuff so be gentle...

 

[Slackmaster2K]

You will need a channel for each input, whether it be SPDIF or analog input. That's the way she goes

P.S., around here computers used for recording are also called "DAW's". I thought I'd mention that just to avoid any potential confusion

Slackmaster 2000