stock soundcards

  • Thread starter Thread starter cpc
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cpc

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ok so i never really fully understood this so i thought i'd ask.

why is plugging your mic/preamp/mixer chain into the line in of your stock soundcard so much worse than plugging it into a usb interface or m-audio soundcard.
 
how so? i plug mine into the line input of my stock soundcard and it works fine...but people keep telling me to buy a 200 dollar interface because stock soundcards suck. and of course i need a reason why before i shell out 200 dollars besides "it sucks"
 
It is really a question of the quality of the Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion that takes place in your soundcard. Some soundcards just to a better job of converting your audio signal to digital than others. Stock soundcards, soundblasters, etc. are ok for listening, but they are not designed for recording and don't have quality converter chips. If you are happy with your stock card, that's o.k. Record with what you have. Your ears will tell you when it's time to upgrade.
 
ohh alright thanks scrubs

.... and i know there's also differences between 16/24 bit soundcards/interfaces that's a given...so im not looking for an answer that has anything to do with that.

finally.... do stock soundcards distort easier...i mean, do they have a certain level of volume that they can only handle (spl?)
 
I'm not sure that stock sound cards have a larger headroom, but when I upgraded from my SoundBlaster to an Audiophile, I noticed a huge drop in the noise floor. If you get to record with a higher end interface, you'll soon see what you're missing :D
 
if you're not interested in going pro or pushing out a cd and it sounds good to you then don’t bother with the more expensive card. If you like what you hear and your happy then its a waist of money to upgrade. but if you insist on upgrading $99 or less will work just fine for an audio interface. I would start with a cheaper card (i don’t mean low quality) then if you hear a noticeable difference and like it then consider upgrading to the $200 card.
 
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