soundcard for laptop?

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coffeeandtv

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hey my friend was asking me which soundcard you would recommend for a pc laptop. he's really into aphex twin type music, and he uses mainly soundforge, fruity loops etc. he wants to use it for performing live, so he needs the necessary outs to hook up to the mixer, can you guys recommend a soundcard in a reasonable budget?
 
Uh...I wish I could...

Unfortunately, most (all?) laptops are blessed/cursed permanently with the cards they come with. The laptop *probably* has a headphone output that can be used to get a stereo signal out of the computer. Other than that (which doesn't generally sound that great), you're looking at limited options.

You could use a USB device instead of the soundcard- like tascam us-428, us-224, or the Event EZbus. A more expensive option would be a firewire device (MOTU 828- 8 ins/8 outs) or PCMCIA Device (Digigram VXPocket). There are a few others out therel, but I don't know them all.

The key is to figure out exactly what your friend's needs are and find a device that meets those needs for the best value. Do you need more than 2 outputs? How about inputs?

Take care,
Chris
 
I've been investigating the same question. I kind of like the PCMCIA-card option, but there aren't many choices. In addition to the VXPocket ($500ish street) mentioned by Chris, there are also new Echo Mona and Echo Layla cards that are PCMCIA with breakout boxes; both run around $990, maybe less. There are differences between the Mona and Layla; e.g., one has MIDI and one doesn't; one may have preamps/phantom power too, I'm not sure.

Yes, the Tascam US-428 is a USB option, as well as some of the MOTU units. On the budget/consumer end of the scale, there's always the $150 SoundBlaster Extigy, which does include a SPDIF in and a MIDI port, but if you use the line inputs, don't expect great things out of the A/D converters.
 
M-Audio also has a bunch of USB options too. I have a AudioSport Duo and have had absolutely no problems with it.

Beezoboy
 
thanks for all the replies,

does mac in general have a better solution for laptop audio?
 
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