Soundcard, amps and such!

[rguagenti]

I am running Home Studio2004XL on a WIndows 2000 system.

I need a soundcard, a preamp and some near field monitors.

My budget is a tad limited, at least until after Christmas, so my ? is:

Can anyone recommend a good soundcard and/or pre-amp(is there such a thing as a combo unit). And, until I get my monitors can I use the PC speakers with this new soundcard?

Also, since the PC speakers are powered, will I need a pre amp to push the speakers or should I wait and buy the pre amp and monitors together at a later date? Like after Christmas.

Thanks for your help.

 

[wheelema]

Preamps are for mics, power amps for for speakers, and you don't want a power amp hooked up to your computer speakers. Near fields come in two flavors, active (with amps built in) and passive (without amps built in).

Of course you can use your computer speakers, but they won't provide the critical listening environment that you need to take your work to a prosumer or professional level.

You need to provide a (1) budget, (2) what you're going to be recording (instruments, male vocals, female vocals, loud, soft, etc.), and how many inputs/outputs you are going to need for the guys around here to provide the best info they can.

Soundcards are legion. Is your DAW a desktop or laptop? What processor and speed? Memory? HDD storage? Your OS is Win2K and that might toss most of the newer soundcard recommendations out the window.

Ciao. Luck!

 

[rguagenti]

I am running Cakwealk Home Studio 2004XL on a WIndows 2000 platform.

Pentium III, 1.5 Ghz, 512MB RAM, 40GB HD.

My recording gear is at a minimum as I have only been at this since May:

1 Oktava MK219 plugged into a Bellari MP105 pre amp that I use for all my recording.

I am using the onboard soundcard(Allegra ESS1989) and my PC speakers. I've been "getting away with it", but I want to move on to the next step, at least for the serious, newbie hobbyist.

I am recording voice, acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Everything else will be MIDI. Inputs and outputs are not a consideration because I'm a one man show here.

At this stage of the game I've got about $400 to $500 to spend.

Im thinking soundcard and monitors and power amp. or

Decent soundcard($150-$200) now running through my PC speakers, and wait a couple of months for the monitors and amp.

Somebody set me straight.

Thanks