Newbie questions

[SkyTiger]

I have decided to try my hand at computer/home recording and i have one major question....

hardware

i built the pc myself and it is configured as follows:

xp professional OS
p4 2.53 cpu
asus p4g8x mobo
512 pc2100
sony cdrw burner
gforce 4 ti4600 video card
sb audigy platinum
six western digital 120 gig hard drives
(yeah i know.. extream overkill but i collect mp3s)

one of the hds will be dedicated to my audio apps

i will be boosting the memory up another gig in a couple of days

my real concern is my sound card... ive read about the delta 44 and the delta 1010 and i was wondering if i should go with something more targeted for home recording like the aforementioned items... or is the audigy going to be able to handle the demands.... ive read about latency issues and it seems to me that if im going to go for this full-time i should fork over the bucks to get the best sound card....

so what is the best sound card...

thanks in advance

SkyTiger

 

[Porter]

This is an open ended question... do a search of the Computer Recording and Soundcards forum. The question has been asked there many a time.

Things to consider:

How many inputs do you want to record at one time?

How much do you want to spend?

Do you have any free PCI slots, do you use Firewire? ...different sound cards use different interfaces....

Are you going to be using much external gear, Sound Canvases, Drum Machines?

OK, the last question isn't as relevant, however it had a slight swaying on my decision.

In saying all that, the SB might be fine for your use,

Porter

 

[Jeyan]

Porter was right, explain what is in your mind, what kind of setup, how many istrument inputs, mic inputs... like that, then it would be easy to pick the right card for you. By teh way all Delta cards are pretty reliable, pick one that suits your application.

 

[Porter]

Another thing... I know that this was posted in the Cakewalk forum, so I'm guessing you are wanting to use Home Studio or SONAR.....

Home Studio is only limited to 2 inputs (ie the left and right channel of a stereo pair) at one time, where as SONAR isn't limited on the number of inputs, more like how many your system can handle.

Also, here is a list of the recomended audio cards that cakewalk suggest. Mind you it hasn't been updated for the Sonar 2.2 update which includes support of new ASIO devices, from the website:

"ASIO-compatible hardware includes the RME audio cards, the Creative Labs Audigy™, and Digidesign's 001™, 002™, Mbox™, and Pro Tools | HD™ products."

Porter

 

[moskus]

my real concern is my sound card... ive read about the delta 44 and the delta 1010 and i was wondering if i should go with something more targeted for home recording like the aforementioned items... or is the audigy going to be able to handle the demands.... ive read about latency issues and it seems to me that if im going to go for this full-time i should fork over the bucks to get the best sound card....

The easy and short answer that a Delta 44, 66 or 1010 would work great in a HomeRecording studio. You can't fail with them. It supports WDM and ASIO-drivers, meaning low latency...