Simple question soundcard

[daav]

I am considering switching to full on PC recording, but in the meantime i am working through the fostex MR8 and xfering wav files to the PC to edit and mix via n-tracks. right now i have been playing around with things via the onboard soundcard/chip but i imagine that will prove very limiting.

Is there a set of standard choices for a reasonable priced (<$150) decent quality soundcard that would work with that set up? No need for much of an interface, since I plan on capturing the files eslwhere for the most part.

Alternately, is it foolish to go partway and upgrade the card alone for now? If i were to make the plunge to full PC recording (which i suppose i plan to do eventually) i would have to build myself a better PC, and go the full interface route which is a bit spendy for my needs right now.

Any help would be great, thanks!
Daav

 

[dwillis45]

Is there a set of standard choices for a reasonable priced (<$150) decent quality soundcard that would work with that set up? No need for much of an interface, since I plan on capturing the files eslwhere for the most part.

Alternately, is it foolish to go partway and upgrade the card alone for now? If i were to make the plunge to full PC recording (which i suppose i plan to do eventually) i would have to build myself a better PC, and go the full interface route which is a bit spendy for my needs right now.
Daav

Take a look at the offerings at Zzounds:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/cat--PCI-Audio-Interfaces--2421

I'm not a pc card user, but it seems like a lot of folks around here suggest the M-Audio Deltas. Since you are transfering WAV files, analog-to-digital conversion is not a big deal right now. But a sound card update will help with digital-to-analog conversion and should improve what you hear as you mix. Of course, that's all realtive depending on what type of studio monitors (if any) you have.

As far as future planing, only you can answer that question based on your budget, your timetable and your goals. You could buy an inexpensive card and toss it when you upgrade. You could also buy a mid-priced card and make sure it will fit in a new machine. It's really your choice.