Onboard Soundcard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zorn
  • Start date Start date
Z

Zorn

New member
I will be buying a new Pentium 4 computer sometime soon with 3Ghz, 1GB, with a 6 channel sound card onboard. What I mainly want to do is record my vocals on the computer over music that I created with software. So a decent vocal sound is what I'm looking for. Will the onboard 6 channel sound card do the job? Or would I really need to buy a new soundcard? I'm also looking at buying the SAMSON C01U USB condenser microphone mainly for the reason that it would save me from having to get any pre-amps or a mixer. Was just wondering what people thought about this setup?
 
The sound card may be okay...but what are you gonna be using as a preamp?


You will want to buy a preamp, especially if you plan on getting a condensor mic, i assume it requires phantom power(something your PC will not produce).
 
Great link Tim! I see that you posted it on at least three threads here today. :D
 
Regarding the microphone, I have my eye on the SAMSON C01U USB condenser microphone - it DOESN'T require phantom power as it's a USB mic. Do you think this set up is good enough?
 
your onboard card may make too much noise. you wont know until you have it in your hand. If you dont want to invest in a good audio interface then you can use the onboard card. but dont expect quality. but if you use it use the line in and not the mic in.
 
Zorn said:
Regarding the microphone, I have my eye on the SAMSON C01U USB condenser microphone - it DOESN'T require phantom power as it's a USB mic. Do you think this set up is good enough?
Click to expand...

USB mics seem like they might be a good idea because they save money on cables, preamps, converters, etc. However, for the price, what do you expect the quality of those components to be? Also, think about the future. If recording is something you're serious (or could become serious) about, you need to think about compatibility. A USB mic will only be compatible with a computer using a USB port. I.E., you will never be able to use that microphone with a traditional cable and preamp. Basically, if you decide to upgrade, the Samson will go in the trash.

Do I think it's "good enough?" I think you should be able to record sounds to your computer with that microphone. That's all I would expect.
 
The computer I'm getting has the following onboard sound card:
High quality 6-channel AC'97 audio with Jack-Sensing function

I've been offered an upgrade to a 5.1 sound card for an extra $30 (Australian). Considering I ONLY want to get a good recording of my vocals (no instruments) which I will probably be recording with the Samson USB microphone, would anyone recommend the upgrade or would the onboard sound card probably be sufficient? Or would I be even better off spending a few hundred dollars for the AudioPhile 2496?
 
If you are using the USB Mic for recording your vocals (which I wouldn't recommend, but you seem set on it), the PC's soundcard will have NO effect on the recording of your voice. The USB Mic will handle the A/D conversion for you. The soundcard will effect the playback though (the D/A conversion) I wouldn't upgrade to anything yet. Save your $30 and put it towards the Audiophile, or another unit that would have built-in pres for a NON-USB mic :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top