soundcard recommendations

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Basslord1124

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It's about time for me to get a "good" soundcard and was wanting some recommendations. I got a PII 350 mhz processor, 192 MB RAM, Windows 98, and about 15 gigs of hard drive space. The budget price is around $300...maybe a little more. Other than soundcard recommendations I was also wanting some insight on that USB recording box...I think Audiosport or something like that. I checked in some early issues of AMS and Musician's Friend and it mentioned how it wasn't compatible with Windows but they were in the process of developing it. I want to think I read a more recent thing that said it was compatible with Windows. But anyways, if you know if it is compatible let me know and tell me if I'm wasting my time looking into that USB recording device. And also any recommendations about soundcards would be helpful too (I want to think this is the group that raves on the Omni Studio). Thanks.
 
How many tracks do you need to record simultaneously? Do you need digital inputs? MIDI?
 
This should be easy LOL. Normally I'll record a track at a time, there might be a chance where I'll record 2 at a time but that'd be the maximum. Don't need digital inputs/outputs. And Midi...well the only thing I'd use Midi on might be my drum machine.
 
Do you already have a soundcard on your computer? Because you could do with a simple Soundblaster Live. Check here.

Otherwise, a Delta Audiophile could do. Great quality for cheaper than you're expecting to pay. Check here. On the same website, you will find info on the USB Audiosport Quattro. Sorry, I don't know anything about it.

Good luck!
 
Delta Audiophile 2496......$159......upgrade your processor with the excess $$$$.....

that Omni is a nice unit, but you be paying for lots of inputs youll never use....the Audiophile uses the same converters so sound quality will be about the same....

BUT, if you happen to be in the market for 2 channels of nice preamps, go with the Omni because the preamps on it are really nice.....
 
Or the Echo Mia which has the added bonus of 1/4" inputs/outputs which is idea for plugging in your drum machine etc
 
true, because you know how hard it is to find a cable that goes from dual 1/4" to dual RCA....:rolleyes:
 
my drum machine uses 1/4" ins/outs. Alesis SR16...good drum machine. I would like something with 1/4" ins/outs but I guess I can hook up the RCA's to my 4 track to use as a mixer. I got a stock soundcard but it sucks pretty much. It can record stuff fine but playing back is another story. Trying to playback 2 tracks is a nightmare b/c they lose sync and it drives me nuts...and I know I got enough RAM for it. That's pretty much what I need is something that can easily play back more than 2 full length tracks without losing sync. I've always heard bad things about Soundblaster's in regards to recording. If it was me personally, I'd try to steer away from SB and try to at least get a soundcard that's more geared to audio recording. But if you feel SB's might just cut the mustard for me (gosh I love that saying lol) I might give em a look. I told someone one time that I wasn't really looking at doing "studio recording" on our PC...I just see it as higher quality demos. :D Thanks for the help so far guys. ;)
 
:p giggling at Gidge's and Messhuggah's post :p
true, because you know how hard it is to find a cable that goes from dual 1/4" to dual RCA....
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:D

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It's about time for me to get a "good" soundcard and was wanting some recommendations.
Click to expand...

Check out the Delta 44 or the Delta 66.

http://www.midiman.net

peace...

spin
 
basslord, I aplogize for my sarcasm...it will be relatively easy to find a cord (Radio Shack) that goes from 2 - 1/4" to 2 - RCA plugs.....I have a million of them....you can go straight from the drum machine to the Audiophile and it will sound great.......
 
just outta interest spin how much do the delta 44 & 66 cost

i dont think i have ever seen them down here in south africa
 
In US dollars :

Audiophile2496-149.00
Delta 44-259.00
Delta 66-319.00
Omni Studio-389.00

Id never get the 66 because for $70 more you get 2 channels of very nice preamps and lots of additional routing capabilites......
 
thanks for da info gidge

although with the current exchange rates i am gonna have to settle with a SB LIVE i think just to get me started with midi
 
Perfectly reasonable option....I think most of us started with worse cards than the SoundBlaster....good news is when you do step up to a better card, that SB will still be used for Midi (most prosumer cards dont have onboard synths).....
 
Gidge said:
true, because you know how hard it is to find a cable that goes from dual 1/4" to dual RCA....:rolleyes:
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yes but RCA are unbalanced and 1/4" cables tend to be balanced so you would be getting slightly less noise, no?
 
Originally posted by Basslord1124 But if you feel SB's might just cut the mustard for me (gosh I love that saying lol) I might give em a look.
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In your situation, if you had an SB already, I would have told you to look into using it and see if the results you're getting suit you.

However, since you don't have it, and MIDI doesn't seem to be absolutely necessary for you, I would suggest to consider a soundcard that's made specifically for audio recording, namely the Deltas.

The Audiophile would probably be sufficient for you and well into your price range. The Delta 44 has 4 I/O. The Delta 66 is basically a Delta 44 with added digital I/O, which you mentioned you didn't need. And as Gidge said, the OmniStudio is great if you don't have preamps (and a mixer).

Of course, there are other brands of soundcards, but Deltas are the ones I know and use. And I think they are generally accepted here as being very good value for the price.
 
Gidge said:
basslord, I aplogize for my sarcasm...it will be relatively easy to find a cord (Radio Shack) that goes from 2 - 1/4" to 2 - RCA plugs.....I have a million of them....you can go straight from the drum machine to the Audiophile and it will sound great.......
Click to expand...


LOL don't worry about it Gidge. I should mention I've got a bumper sticker on my car that says "Sarcasm: Just One More Service I Offer." I'm sure Radio Shack has a cord for just about anything you can imagine...I know I've bought numerous adapters and such from them. I know I'd like to get a soundcard that has 1/4" over RCA's...just more of a personal preference ya know? But if I decide on the Audiophile I'll definitely get that cord...in fact I might be able to get by with just a single 1/4" to 2 RCA...wonder if Radio Shack's got that? :D I think the way it stands I'll choose between the Mia, either of those Delta packages giaschel suggested, and Stickman here suggested SB Live Platinum. I will say I do like what the Delta packages offer...they look sweet! But I've got about a month or so to decide...and something tells me it'll be a loooong decision.
 
Basslord, you might want to look at today's post about Delta cards and MME drivers before you decide on that one... I'm in close to the same boat as you are - I was pretty sure I was going to get the Audiophile, and now, I'm not sure.
 
Al,

I think if you keep the cable run really short, it wont make a noticable difference.....if it matters, you could always use a 1/4" to 1/4" with a 1/4"to RCA adapter....
 
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