Sound card?

[TheLegendsofOld]

total newb here, and I am just curious,
is it better to get a great sound card, like an m-audio,
or should i get a small mixer and a new "standard" audio card?
whats the difference?

just a little curious here, and trying to start my own little daw

 

[Chili]

totally depends on what you want to do... What do you mean by "standard" audio card?

I wouldn't call M-Audio a great sound card, but it will certainly deliver.

No one is going to give you a solid answer unless you tell us what you want to do. Having said that, I'm in the mixerless camp. But I'm a one-man studio and I don't have the compulsion to "have my fingers on the faders".

 

[Jeff_D]

If by "standard soundcard" you mean your typical "soundblaster" type card, or the kind of stuff you'd buy for a gaming computer, then don't even bother. If you want to record, then you want a soundcard made specifically for recording.

Maudio cards are good stuff for recording, but definitely not top of the line ( I use a pair of MAudio Delta 1010lt cards). For recording, you basically have your choice between a soundcard coupled with external preamps or mixer OR an all in one usb or firewire interface. What exactly you are trying to accomplish and what your budget is will dictate your best option... so, um, what are you trying to do and what is your budget?

 

[TheLegendsofOld]

If by "standard soundcard" you mean your typical "soundblaster" type card, or the kind of stuff you'd buy for a gaming computer, then don't even bother. If you want to record, then you want a soundcard made specifically for recording.

Maudio cards are good stuff for recording, but definitely not top of the line ( I use a pair of MAudio Delta 1010lt cards). For recording, you basically have your choice between a soundcard coupled with external preamps or mixer OR an all in one usb or firewire interface. What exactly you are trying to accomplish and what your budget is will dictate your best option... so, um, what are you trying to do and what is your budget?

well, my budget its about 150 bucks, and im just trying to get some recording done, a few guitars maybe a bass, and some vocals,
and maybe some virtual instruments too, that and of course doing some sort of mastering


i am a little broke at the moment xD

 

[Jeff_D]

well, my budget its about 150 bucks, and im just trying to get some recording done, a few guitars maybe a bass, and some vocals,
and maybe some virtual instruments too, that and of course doing some sort of mastering


i am a little broke at the moment xD

right on. Do you have mics already? I assume you have instruments? we talkin electric or acoustic instruments?

You can get a presonus firebox for around $200- it has a pair of mic preamps built in and will accept a cord directly from your electric guitar or bass. It has phantom power so your condernser mics will work. This thing maxes out at 4 simultatneous inputs (2 line level and 2 mic level).

Lots of people like these- especially if you are primarily a guitar player... http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-UX2-with-PF?sku=250004 Looks like this has two simultaneous inputs.

There are cheaper interfaces out there but you start to really sacrifice features. For example some of the cheaper interfaces don't have phantom power, and some record only in a lower sample/bit rate.



If you prefer, you can get something like the MAudio Audiophile 2496 for ~$100, but then you'll need to pick up an external preamp or mixer with preamps.




So, critical questions...

1.) How many tracks do you need to be able to record simultaneously. If you want to sing and play acoustic guitar at the same time you might want 3 or 4 inputs.

2.) What do you already have? Mixer? Mics?

Basically, define what you need, and start shopping.

 

[TheLegendsofOld]

2.) What do you already have? Mixer? Mics?

Basically, define what you need, and start shopping.

well pretty much, im just a guitarist, who trying to get some singing done.
For now, ill be recording only one track at a time, but im pretty sure ill be doing 2 soon.
now heres a quick question, if i record via usb, and say i want to layer and add many effects to what i do, would a better sound card effect the way these are processed?
i mean, i know the sound quality would improve drastically over this...onboard audio card xD
but yeah, thats kind of as far as ive gotten, besides actually recording some ok sounding tracks via the headphone out jack on my lame digitech rp 80 pedal xD

 

[Dr. Varney]

total newb here, and I am just curious,
is it better to get a great sound card, like an m-audio,
or should i get a small mixer and a new "standard" audio card?
whats the difference?

just a little curious here, and trying to start my own little daw

Actually, IMO, you should try and purchase both card and mixer.

Lexicon, E=MU, Steinberg and M-Audio do make great, solid gear for the home hobbyist, in my opinion.

I would recommend at least considering an E=MU 0404 internal. It has a good history & reputation and comes with a bundle of software to get you started. The 0404 is now a few years old, so you can pick them up new and used for easy money. You don't need 'cutting edge technology', you just need something solid, with proven quality. It gves you MIDI in/out for future KB/controllers and SPDIF/optical connects.

With an internal card, you are not paying for the casing, as with an external unit. They usually use simple breakout cables to connect your gear.

Try and get hold of a used small mixer in good condition. Something basic but solid. With this you will be able to record from multiple inputs without having to dive under your desk everytime you want to switch instruments/mic. It also makes it possible for you and your fellow musicians to jam/record together in real time. Very productive! Try to find one which features an ALT/AUX BUSS.

Don't bother paying extra for one with onboard FX because you will have all the digital FX you will ever need, both in your card's software and your DAW's plugins.

All good sound cards come supplied with their own 'virtual mixer' but you will find, having your hands on all those knobs and faders and messing about with all those cables will teach you how to make analogue, as well as digital connections - and I think it is a very beneficial thing for any newb to get a grasp of, to be honest.... Mainly because it shows you not just how to, but WHY you make those digital 'connections'.

Regards

Dr. V

 

[Jeff_D]

For now, ill be recording only one track at a time, but im pretty sure ill be doing 2 soon.

Keep in mind common recording and micing techniques. For instance, it isn't uncommon to use 2 or even 3 or 4 tracks just to recording one acoustic guitar. You'll want a soundcard or interface that can handle as many separate tracks, as mics you want to use.

now heres a quick question, if i record via usb, and say i want to layer and add many effects to what i do, would a better sound card effect the way these are processed?

Your soundcard or usb interface *almost never* is responsible for processing effects. Your soundcard's role is basically to convert your incoming analog signal to digital so that it can be stored (and later manipulated) in your computer. Through the software you use, you'll apply dx or vst effects, which are processed by your computer processor. The soundcard will convert the combined / processed signal back to analog so you can play it through your speakers / heaphones, etc. (There are a *few* soundcards that have an effects processor built in- I wouldnt get too hung up on that at this point)

i mean, i know the sound quality would improve drastically over this...onboard audio card xD

The sound you capture with a purpose made recording soundcard will be a big improvement over the onboard card, for sure.

but yeah, thats kind of as far as ive gotten, besides actually recording some ok sounding tracks via the headphone out jack on my lame digitech rp 80 pedal xD

You can download an uncrippled trial version of Reaper and get started. You can plug the headphone out from your RP80 to the line in on that stock card and get a halfway decent recording. If you had a mic pre and a mic you could plug that into the line in too.

 

[TheLegendsofOld]

. Your soundcard or usb interface *almost never* is responsible for processing effects. Your soundcard's role is basically to convert your incoming analog signal to digital so that it can be stored (and later manipulated) in your computer. Through the software you use, you'll apply dx or vst effects, which are processed by your computer processor. The soundcard will convert the combined / processed signal back to analog so you can play it through your speakers / heaphones, etc. (There are a *few* soundcards that have an effects processor built in- I wouldnt get too hung up on that at this point).

if this is the case, then i think you have made my decision in gettin the usb interface.

i mean my computer is absolutely no problem, in well...everything, although i build it for gaming, it can handle many many other useful applications, and theres tons of space for recording.

and i beileve i shall check out that raptor program, from the site it looks to be really well made, and its price is reasonable