Question about output

[Tampa dude]

I am doing simple dry recordings (voice and guitar) on my Fostex MR8. I then copy the .wav file to my computer and mix it thru Cakewalk.

My questions is, how important is the sound card? Will upgrading my sound card to a MAudio Audiophile 2496 or something of that nature matter?

Also I know monitors are the preferred method for listening to your recordings while mixing but are there headphones out there that will give me a comparable sound or am I doomed to failure at final mix?

Thanks in advanced.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

The quality of the converters that turn your analogue signal into a digital one (and back again when necessary) do have a significant effect on sound quality. So yes, the M Audio card would give you an improvement over the using the card that came with your comp.

Sadly there aren't headphones that can compare with the accurate picture a decent pair of monitors will give you.

 

[DonF]

I hate to argue, but in the scenario Tampa dude gave, the sound card is of little consequence. He said he's using the A/D's in the Fostex, and he's mixing "in the box". The only value the Audiophile would give (and it might be significant, but it might not) is cleaner monitoring during mixdown. The final product may or may not sound better.

Or maybe I'm missing something here....

 

[gordone]

I think the problem is that Tampa dude has not specified how he's copying the wav file. If he's plugging the analog out of the MR8 into the analog in of his PC, then obviously the AD converters are important. BUT if he's taking the wav file from the memory card and loading it onto his computer, then the AD plays no role, BUT the quality of the DA will affect playback which will affect mixing decisions and such.

I then copy the .wav file to my computer and mix it thru Cakewalk.

 

[DonF]

... If he's plugging the analog out of the MR8 into the analog in of his PC, then obviously the AD converters are important....

Agreed. But if he's doing that, he's got more serious problems than a sound card can remedy. I assumed that he's exporting the WAVs via USB.

 

[Tampa dude]

Thank you for your replies. I am transferring the wave files from the memory card directly into the computer using the MR8's USB function.

From what I now understand, with the way I am doing this the A>D conversion is not affected by the sound card but the D>A conversion would convert better on a separate higher end sound card.

With that new knowledge I believe I will purchase a separate sound card.

My question now is, will a simple sound card like SoundBlaster Live! work or will I see better conversions from an MAudio Audiophile 2496 or comparable?

Also would there be a difference between PCI or USB? My computer is fairly high end with 1 gb of memory.

Thanks Again!