question:soundcard and pre-amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter joeprocker
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joeprocker

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I’ve been browsing this forum for some time now, trying to avoid asking newbie questions but dont seem to find the answer to some of my questions. So here i go.... (takes deep breath). I am looking for a good soundcard for recording-purposes. Most soundcards reviewed here deal with recording multiple instruments at the same time and therefore pretty expensive. I dont need more than one (or two) inputs cause i want to record one instrument (guitar, vocals, keyboards) at a time. I got the impression soundblaster isnt that well percieved on this board, so which soundcard can you recommend?
Second i found this mic/guitar-preamp:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/AudioBuddy-focus.html.
Is this any good or is it advisible to go with a small mixing-board instead? Thanks in advance.
 
Without knowing your budget, I can say pretty much nothing...
 
I picked up a used AudioBuddy not long ago. It gives me a couple more preamps but I haven't figured out how to monitor and play along with existing tracks. That could be a Cakewalk9 limitation. So I still have to use my mixer for recording to PC since I can monitor from there. A good mixer won't be a waste of money!
 
Hi Joe,
In my experience, M-audio does an excellent job of putting out products that score very high on the value scale. In other words, you get a lot of quality for not a lot of money with them. I've never heard of an M-audio anything that sucked, and the gear that I have from them is quite good. I have a Delta 66 interface from them, and a DMP3 mic pre. Neither are the best I own, but both stand up quite well compared to the more respectable names I own, and neither is sitting idle. If you can go the few extra dollars and get the DMP3 instead of the Audio Buddy, you'll be getting a pre that has quite a few fans, many of who own much more expensive pre's. It's widely regarded as the best, most transparent pre available in it's price range.
An M-Audio Audiophile card will give you a good 2 channel interface for $100, or $50 more will get you a Delta 44 with 4 in x 4 out.

There's a lot of options out there, so do your homework, and please.......don't let yourself get talked into a glorified gamers card by soundblaster (creative) or any of the others.
Good luck,
RD
 
I believe that's a 16-bit box. 24 is much easier to work with. Consider the TASCAM US122.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. Very helpfull. There so much info on the internet its sometimes hard to find what you are looking for.

@ Halion
Regarding the soundcard, i dont want to go any higher then about $200.
i want a good quality product, but i want it solely for recording home-demo's of my own songs so i can give my fellow bandmembers a good idea of what i want :D . So good quality is what i am looking for, but if i want the real deal then i'll book a studio.
 
apl said:
I believe that's a 16-bit box. 24 is much easier to work with. Consider the TASCAM US122.
Click to expand...

Delta 44 and Audiophile are both 24 bit 96Khz interfaces. Audiophile is also available in a 192Khz version, but that's a little overkill. ;-)
 
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