SoundBlaster Audigy 2X Vs. Audiophile

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solit

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Hello-
I'm a vocalist, completely inexperienced in the technical side of recording. Studio costs have prompted me to look to invest in developing my own computer based studio at home.

I will be recieveing track from producers, laying my vocals over them, and mixing them down on my computer.

I am having a difficult time deciding exactly what I need to make this happen.

So Far I have determined I will need:

SoundCard
Mic
Mic Stand
Mic Screen
Mic Cables


My main dilemma now is deciding which Soundcard to use. I want something:
1. Less than 300
2. High quality sound.
3. Not too complicated to use.
4. Including all the software I need to accomplish my goals.


My top 2 prospects at this point are creative's new Soundblaster Audigy 2 Platinum, and M-Audio's Audiophile 2496.

Can anyone provide me some first hand insight into which would be better and let me know why?

also, are there any other soundcards I should be looking at?

Thanks for your insight!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
you need to add a mic-pre to your list.

get the Audiophile2496, period. :)
 
Wise words from Leeking. :)

Creative audio cards should not be considered for serious audio recording work.

You might want to have a look at the all new Echo MiaMIDI too. The Echo has the best S/N ratio of the sensibly-priced audio cards.

--
BluesMeister
 
Sound blaster cards are ok if you just play around with some softwear that you didn't pay for and you don't plan on actually making cds from your work or showing anyone.

If you want to actually do something you can show around and be proud of, get an audiophille.
 
As mentioned the Echo Mia or MiaMidi is another good budget soundcard. Its sound quality measures a bit better than an Audiophile, and its drivers have a few more features.

Audigy is good for playing games or if you are composing music/sound effects for games. Otherwise get a Mia or Audiophile
 
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Yea the Mia is good as well. I didn't mean to sound as if the audiophile was the only good one.
 
audiophile additional software?

thanks so much for your input everybody.

if I do purchase the audiophile, what additional software would I need to purchase, and how much would that cost me?
 
Unless your going to track all by yourself, I would not get the Audiophile.
I own one and although it does sound decent, it is very limited with only 2 ins & 2 outs.

I would try to get a card that allows more channels or at least consider buying more then one Audiophile, that's what I'm considering.


As far as software, it does come with a low level version of cakewalk. I use cool edit pro however.

Good luck

Sean
 
So smelly fuzz you don't find the ad/da converters sound that great?

Compared to SB i'm sure they sound phenominal, but you're not totaly satisfied? To get better results you'd have to step up to something like the delta 1010 or an RME hammerfall or something like that right?
 
I've never heard those cards, and yes the Audiophile 24/96 DID sound way better then my sound blaster.

I have more of a complaint of how few channels one can record at once.

TWO.

Sean
 
The Audigy2EX has many tricks up its sleeve but for your purposes, you don't need them. The Audiophile, Mia and indeed Terratec 2496 will do fine. You do need to add a mic pre-amp, preferably of the "voice channel" variety that includes EQ, compression, De-essing and limiting. It's best to use one of these to condition the mic signal before it get converted to digital by the card. The mic should be a large diaphragm condensor type and a pop-shield is a must-have too.

Now your software. If you are adding your vocals to finished stereo mix, you will have a hard job making it any more than demo quality. It will be extremely difficult to make your recordings match the stereo track and sit in the mix. You really need the songs in multitrack form from your producers if you want to make release quality songs yourself. If the producers just need a vocal track off you, then you only need a basic multitrack program. Cakewalk HomeStudio, CubasisVST etc will do fine - import the stereo backing into a stereo track and record your voice onto mono tracks.
Finally, use the programs "Export Audio" function to make a mono .wav sound file of each vocals track to burn to CD and send it off. If you intend to work from a multitrack version of the song, you will need the same recording software as they used.
 
Delta Audiophile is a great choice....Mia also is.....the Audigy isnt a good idea for what you want to do......(dont let included software be a factor)

id suggest a Studio projects vtb1 preamp or if you can afford it, a RNP preamp.....

also a nice compressor like the RNC.....

a good condensor mic like the Marshall MXLv67 or Studio Projects C1......


N-Track software for multitracking, Goldwave software for editing, and some nice free plugins for effects........
 
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