Sound Card & Mixer

[Dillon]

I'm wanting to set up a computer recording system, I'm completely new at recording in general, however. I'm unsure of what sort of sound card to purchase, I'm currently building the PC I'm going to use -- and I was considering the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum. I don't know if this card (and included hardware) will be sufficient for hooking up a mixer to record with. I also was considering buying this mixer. Would these work or be compatible with each other, for recording the typical -- mics, guitar, drums, keyboard, synth, etc..? I'd also like if I could get some suggestions on choice of software. I'm a beginner at recording, not music or computers. Thanks a lot.

 

[mike_hall]

First off DO NOT use a sound blaster for recording, no good. I recomend the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 for basic begginer recording, this sound card has excellent quality and you can find them at a pretty good price. Also a few steps up from that card would be the M-Audio Delta 1010LT which is an amazing card. For a mixer Behringer mixers arent that great, I would go for an american made mixer like a Yamaha or Alesis, both are known for high quality recording results. I would suggest something like the Yamaha MG 12/4 mixer, or if you would like more channels there are a few more MG models with more channels
hope this helps you out.
mike

 

[manning1]

dillon. search under my name for hundreds of tips ive posted in the last year related to using a pc as a multitrack recording studio. topics covered include pc configs, software,mics, recording techniques, monitors etc etc.
if you have q's - just ask - or clarifications.
peace.

 

[Dillon]

Thanks to the both of you, I'm glad I didn't already spend my $199.99 on the Sound Blaster. I thought that the Behringer mixer would be great for what I'm doing, but I guess not... Why are American mixers better? (By the way, mike hall, I thought Yamaha was a Japanese company?) Like I said I'm currently building the PC that I am going to use for recording, could you guys tell me if this computer hardware would be fine for recording:

Motherboard: Dragon 2 v1.0
Processor: Intel P4

By the way, I have one more question I haven't been able to get an answer to... what is the difference between active studio monitors and passive studio monitors? Which are better, or which do you prefer?

Thanks everyone.

 

[minofifa]

hey dillon

the difference between active and passive speakers is that active speakers are amplified already whereas passive speakers require an external amplifier to drive them. "pros" i think like passive + amp option because the idea is that each piece of gear is made specifically for that tast insted of having an all-in-one active speaker solution. I personally cannot comment since i have never used passive monitors with an amp but there are plenty of active monitors that have excellent quality. I think active montors are cheaper for the same quality than passive speakers (including the cost of the amp).

I would suggest doing a search as manning said. There is tonnes of stuff about the gear to get. You will get way more answers to your qestions that way rather than in this one post alone.

Oh yeah and the reason behringer mixers are not as high quality as say a yamaha or a mackie mixer is due to the components. Mainly the preamps (the electrical parts that change a weak mic signal into a stronger one which can be recorded). Having a high quality preamp is important in getting good signals to mix and process later.

 

[Dillon]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I have one more question and then I'll shutup -- would you all recommend an M-AUDIO sound card? If so, which one? Sorry if I'm asking questions, you all probably see everyday... but I want to have my equipment wishlist ready so I know what to buy, and don't find myself with a bunch of equipment that won't work for recording.