Some basic concerns

[Shakuan]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to build my pc recording studio. I'm not sure how all those recording things work so I need some enlightments.... some newbie stuff but hey! that's exactly whats written under my name

so far, I'm thinking about a quality pci card (Delta series) with a breakout box cause I don't want to plug the things directly into the computer. (I'm guessing a breakout box is a box attached to the pci card with the plugs on it).

I need inputs for 7-8 mics I guess cause of the drums and vocals+guit+piano...

I need to be able to listen to whats already recorded on the computer while recording new stuff with it. (I'm french speaker so maybe that's what monitoring means I'm not sure.)

I also have a midi keyboard PC70 to connect...

I've been looking at the Omni Studio+Delta66 or the Delta1010 from M-Audio (midiman)... which one should I get?

Also, I'm planning on buying a Bass POD pro and a POD Pro from Line6. Can I just plug in my bass in the bass pod and then the bass pod in the recording card and have a great sounding bass? Does it give good results or is it better to mic the bass?

To record from the mics, do I need some "pre" things or can I just plug the microphone in the recording card and thats it!? I' concerned about the signal not beeing loud enough or something... Same thing with the POD, can I just plug in the guit in the pod, then the pod in the card ,et voilà?!

I know it's some pretty basic stuff but I really need some infos cuz I'm not sure I understand what I really need to get a great recording station.

Thanks!

 

[BrettB]

If you needs 7 or 8 tracks at the same time, and especially when you got the money, go for the Delta 1010.

About the Bass POD, especially for homerecording it gives a great result, you can just connect it and off you go.

With a "pre" we mean a microphone preamp. A normal microphone signal is a too weak to record on it's own, so to boost the signal, pre's are necessary. Most soundcards have several build in pre's (I'm not sure on how many channels the Delta has it) but the most of us use the preamps of our mixer. So that's something that's is missing in your setup: a good mixer. Look at the websites of soundcraft or mackiee, or Allen & Heath, they have quit a good reputationn. Behringer tend to be much reliable.

A Line siignel, such as the one of the POD doesn't need a preamp, so you can put that one right in

 

[Shakuan]

Ok but what about the Omni Studio. It says it has 2 headphones outputs... Will I be able to have headphones output with the Delta1010?

I guess that's part of the 10 outs, right? As well as the studio monitors/speakers... I think the specs are just fooling me... both seems to be saying the same thing but in different terms... Like those 2 headphones outs are just normal outs like on the D1010 card which as 10 outs... so I could have 10 headphones connected on the D1010.... im confused...