Soundcard question??? HELP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lane
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Lane

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I'm new to computer recording... just want to record from one mic and a guitar pickup - nothing too fancy. I have a 4 track recorder that I can use, but it sounds like I'd be just as well off with a good soundcard?

So - I'm building a new computer - thinking of a Soundblaster live 5.1 card - but I really dont know one from another. What's an adequate one, at a reasonable price???

Thanks
Lane
 
I think for someone who's really new, and just getting into this, a SoundBlaster Live or Audigy is just fine. You can learn all the basics of digital recording with it, and by the time you outgrow it (which will vary from quickly to never depending on your motivation) you will have learned enough to push you towards the "pro" sound card that's right for your situation.
 
get the cheapest Soundblaster Value you can find as it will sound just as good as the more expensive SB's.....when you outgrow it you can still use it for midi......

the Audigy line is probably better, but still not in the same league with audio cards like the Deltas and Aardvarks .......
 
OK.... so I can go with something pretty simple for now, I guess? Do these cards have inputs for at least a mic and a pickup at the same time - and can I record multiple tracks? (dont need more that 4, probably)

Lane
 
It's given that Gidge and mannnnny others here know alot more about, well, pretty much everything than I do, but IMHO I think if you're going to buy a soundcard anyways why not spednd and extra 100 bucks or so and pickup an Echo MIA, Audiophile 2496, or card of similar quality/price. It seems that you'd outgrow one of these alot slower AND the sound is pretty damn good, which probably won't be the case with most SB, again just my opinion.


Laj
 
laj,

thats pretty logical thinking and very good advice....

where im coming from is that most people use a SB type card in conjunction with an audio card like those you mentioned anyway for midi....so its not a bad idea to get your feet wet with a soundblaster which can be had for well under $50....
www.pricewatch.com

like i said in my first post, when you outgrow its audio capabilities, it can stilll be used for midi......
 
Well....no you folks are confusing me a little...... I don't know about these different cards and I don't want to waste money on something that I will soon be wanting to upgrade - then again, as said in the beginning, I just want to be able to do decent recording from a couple of inputs, edit a little, maybe add some very basic effects.... will the SB do that for me, or do I need to go to something bigger?
Thanks for all the help!
Lane
 
Lane said:
I don't know about these different cards and I don't want to waste money on something that I will soon be wanting to upgrade - then again, as said in the beginning, I just want to be able to do decent recording from a couple of inputs, edit a little, maybe add some very basic effects.... will the SB do that for me, or do I need to go to something bigger?
Click to expand...

All the editing stuff will be done with software, like N-tracks, Cakewalk, etc. Effects will be added there, too.

If you get into recording, you will be upgrading all the time. Cakewalk 7 became Cakewalk 8, then 9, now Sonar. It is addictive.

By the time you figure out recording, and a soundcard like Audigy,they will have "Audigy hologram SE 10:1 version 9". It never stops. Get something decent and cheap to learn your trade, it will all be obsolete next year. SB is fine, Mia is better and costs more, but still cheap.
 
I got a digital value Soundblaster card. Quite happy with the soft synths. However when I mixdown from MIDI to Audio, the sound degrades. So I am looking for advise on soudncards too! If you are looking to buy, then get something better than Soundbaster. Soundblaster is good for MIDI( I am satisfied), but for audio and mixdown we need a good sound card. Let me know what you get.
 
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