Question about an optimal recording setup

[phathamstr]

Hello, i'm putting together a home studio, currently, I have a Yamaha Motif 88, and a GT33 Condenser Microphone, hooked up to a PC running Windows XP. Instrumental wise, i'm all set, but am slightly frustrated by the background hiss evident when recording into the line in ports onto the computer, the hiss is present when recording in with the motif, and the microphone. The soundcard on the system is a Soundblaster Live! Value, is this to blame for the hindered quality on recordings? What are some good quality soundcards to purchase if one is to divert away from the digital recording option of pro tools or a digi recorder? Or is it better to just shell out the extra cash? Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[crankz1]

Of course the Sounblaster isn't the greatest of cards for recording, but people have had good success with them.
You may want to take a look at the input level for the line in on the Creative mixer applet. Make sure that you don't have this level set to high. Try and achieve you gain early in the chain via mixer/preamp.

 

[phathamstr]

Thx Crankz

thx for the info, adjusting the levels and such do def aid in making the best out of the setup =)