soundcard with software?

[ahwander]

All I want to do is add effects to vocals, layer it on the instrumentals I have already perfected on my Roland K5, and burn.
Creative Soundblaster value wont allow me to add effects to just one track--the instrumentals take on the effects as well. I tried their upgrades and cannot figure out Steinberg Cubase. I need simplicity.
Is there another sound card that comes with software, or do I have to purchase them seperately? Under $200

 

[crankz1]

Keep the soundcard you have and check out n-Track and it's forum . Also check out the n-Track area of this Forum.
Get the recording process figured out, then worry about a better sound card.

 

[AlChuck]

The problem is that the effects on the Sound Blaster Live are applied by the DSP on the card itself, and as you noted, can only be applied across the output, so it's all or nothing.

If you find Cubase too hard, I'm not sure what I could recommend. They are all rather similar in the visual user interface metaphors that they use. It always takes a little bit of time to grasp the way recording concepts and functions are laid out in software, but once you do, it should be easy to adapt to any other software of its type.

My point is, they are all about equally hard if you've never used any software of this type before, and all more or less equally easy to learn.

So if you have Cubase already I would recommend sticking with it. There's no magic easy way to get past this stage, you just have to do it. And trust me, you can, with a little effort and persistance.

The thing you can do with Cubase and other such applications is apply software effects -- VST plug-ins -- to audio tracks, on a track-by-track basis, or on aux groups (a number of tracks collected together into one pathway), or on the final stereo mix. Very flexible and powerful.

 

[RawDepth]

Check out the E-MU 1212M. It may be right up your alley. It has an effects processor chip built right in so you can use it with an old slower computer without bogging it down. It comes with mixing software also. It is getting really good reviews. Sounds like a damn fine deal to me.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...0578887/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/242512/

(No, I don't work for them.)
Good luck

 

[ahwander]

Thanks to all of you. Going to study your answers.