soundcard choice

  • Thread starter Thread starter glamslam
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glamslam

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Hi all,
what sound card do I go for if I need to handle both midi and audio in one unit. People have suggested plug and play units for USB like the MidiSport (along with a Delta 44 as the main soundcard)...is there any way of doing this without a USB connection? I.E. is there an "all in one" professional soundcard?
Thanks
 
I would say for you to use the Delta and the Midisport. They make a nice combo.

I use the Delta 66, Midisport 2x2, and a Tascam 822PCI.

The Tascam card gives me an additional 2SPDIF's, 2 MIDI, and TDIF connection to the Tascam TMD1000 board.

It depends on what you are trying to do and how much you want to spend.
 
budget!

Well, I can spend up to 200 pounds (about 370USD) on the soundcard part of my new setup. The rest will go on Logic Audio Gold and a pair of monitors.
If I use the Delta and a Midisport will I have trouble configuring my computer to use both simultaneously? I´ll be recording R&B, Hip Hop and Soul which means that most of the backing will be done by MIDI instead of audio. So basicallý, I´ll need 2 balanced audio inputs, MIDI, lowest possible latency (which I now believe is 0 with the audiosport quattro) and full duplex.
While on the subject, I have an MDMX4 (4 track) lying around with no use. Should I use it as a DI box before running my vocals through the audio input of whichever soundcard I get?
Thanks
 
If I use the Delta and a Midisport will I have trouble configuring my computer to use both simultaneously?
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Shouldn't be any trouble at all.

I´ll be recording R&B, Hip Hop and Soul which means that most of the backing will be done by MIDI instead of audio.
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Really? I thought you would be heavy with loops doing that kind of stuff...

You dorealize that the Delta has no MIDI synthesizer on it? Do you already have any outboard sound modules? Or are you planning to use VSTi softsynths?

By the way, in your original post you said:
is there any way of doing this without a USB connection? I.E. is there an "all in one" professional soundcard?
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I'm not sure if you want a USB connection or not. There are several MIDI interfaces that use parallel or serial ports and some in PCI form that take up a slot in your computer and have their own ports on the backplane. There are also some "all in one" units that have audio interfaces and MIDI interfaces on them, either as a PCI card (plus usually a breakout box) or with USB and now even FireWire I/O. Lots and lots of choices, of course depending on budget. Instead of the Delta you might consider the M-Audio Audiophile (2 analog ins and outs on RCA jacks, plus a MIDI interace, $229 list).

While on the subject, I have an MDMX4 (4 track) lying around with no use. Should I use it as a DI box before running my vocals through the audio input of whichever soundcard I get?
Click to expand...

Well, you will need mic preamps, yes. The 4-track can work for you there, though it might not be the best choice in the world. Try it and see if its preamps work out for you.
 
even more complicated...

First of all, thanks very much for providing such a useful reply. The help I´ve received from all of you has been really helpful.


You dorealize that the Delta has no MIDI synthesizer on it? Do you already have any outboard sound modules? Or are you planning to use VSTi softsynths?
Click to expand...

I´ll be using a Korg Trinity Plus as my master keyboard. Up until now I´ve been working with the sequencer that´s built into it but I need something more flexible now which is why I´m going into computer recording. I will, of course, use virtual instruments that come with the multitracking program I get as well as loops.
The kind of music I plan to record does not rely on loops as much as the broad categories I gave in my original post. It´s more acoustic soul than anything else.



I'm not sure if you want a USB connection or not.
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It´s not that I don´t want one... the Audiosport Quattro looks great...it´s just that USB soundcards don´t appear to have been test driven very much and to quote another user on the group, I don´t want to be the guinnea pig for new kit as I am not experienced enough to handle any technical problems that may come up.

Lots and lots of choices, of course depending on budget. Instead of the Delta you might consider the M-Audio Audiophile (2 analog ins and outs on RCA jacks, plus a MIDI interace, $229 list).
Click to expand...

My budget can go that far...perhaps a little bit more depending on the price difference here in England. How long has the Audiophile been around for and what kind of a response has it got? I´d like to go for a PCI card with the breakout box... this doesn´t mean that I´m going to wind up with something like a Sound Blaster Live though, does it?

Once again, thanks.
 
A Triton... nice... you don't need no stinkin' on-board MIDI synth soundcard!

From what I gather the Audiophile is basically the same basic hardware architecture as the Delta cards, only 2 channels instead of 4, and with the jacks on the card and a simple MIDI interface added.
 
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