Notebook soundcard related

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hdh

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Might sound like a stupid question, but is it absolutely necessary to have a soundcard in a Notebook to do mixing, exporting and editing ... using software such as Cubase and WaveLab or Peak?

I'm assuming yes, but just want to make sure so I can ask the next question...

Does it matter what kind of soundcard it is? I mean does it make a difference to get some basic card rather than an RME Cardbus or an Apogee card?
 
How else are you going to make judgements on the mix????

Built-in soundcards are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer), not quality music production.

#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.

Here's a good guide and "you cant go wrong" suggestions:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
 
So is there an answer to my second question?

If I'm completely mixing and exporting from Cubase then mastering in Peak, does it matter what kind of card I have in my computer? I don't mean the $1 built-in garbage card you referred to, but let's say the RME Cardbus compared to the Apogee Symph Mobile.

I'm just trying to figure out how to set up everything ... I'm completely buying new equipement .... Mac Desktop, probably connecting a MOTU Ultralite (cause according to the research I did it's the most suitable and affordable for me) and a Mac Pro (which I want to use on the road mainly for arranging and probably mixing ... and if I need to record vocals or whatever I can just use the Ultralite, but in the meantime need a card in the actual notebook to work.)
 
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A big part of the superiority in a good soundcard is going to be the audio to digital conversion (input). Most soundcards are going to do a decent job of D to A conversion (output), since that's what 99% of their customer base will be concerned with.

So if you're not recording but just mixing and arranging, there probably won't be much difference between a decent card and a really good card.
 
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