soundcard advice

[BlackDrum]

I have a dell notebook and i am searching for a soundcard that is compatible to use with windows xp for home recording and creation. Probably going to use both of the new versions of sonar and soundforge. Price range around $250- $500, but will spend more if its necessary.
thanks

 

[zekthedeadcow]

soundcard

I love my Aardvark Q10 only $750

8 XLR or 1/4 inch ins realy good direct guitar sound

 

[neirbo]

Depends on your needs. For some the best card costs $800, for others it costs $60. I have the Q10 and love it too because I need 8 inputs sometimes. If you only need 2, or just MIDI, then the Q10 is overkill. You need to decide If how you plan to record (all solo work, recording live bands, all MIDI etc.) first, then decide which card will best suit your needs and budget.

 

[Seanmorse79]

I didn't think you could use a Q-10 with a notebook. Doesn't it have a PCI host card.

 

[neirbo]

Seanmorse is right, the Q10 will not work on a laptop. I didn't catch the laptop reference in the first post. With a laptop I think you only have 2 or 3 options for a sound card. I'm not sure what they are, but a search under "laptop soundcard" will probably get you lots of info.

 

[Grotius]

I also have a laptop, and I've been looking at appropriate sound cards. It is true that there are only a handful of PCMIA cards that plug right into the laptop. One example is the Digigram VX Pocket, which has SPIDF and XLR connectors; it lists for over $700, but you can get it for more like $500 or so, I think.

There may be cheaper alternatives. One possibility is an external sound card. On the low-end, the Sound Blaster Extigy seems like an interesting option. It connects to your laptop via USB, and provides SPIDF in/out. It retails for around $150. The M-Audio Quattro, also USB, is around $250, as is the new M-Audio Duo. For around $400, you can get an external audio interface like the Tascam US 428, which provides SPDIF (but no preamps or phantom power); again, it can ask to the laptop via USB. There are also external devices that connects the laptop via FireWire, but they are more expensive (e.g., MOTU 828 or 896), and your laptop has to have FireWire, which mine doesn't. I'm sure there are other options; I'm still learning too.

Hope this helps.