As far as I remember I've got a creative labs PCI 128 (which I notice at the moment is worth about £15), in a P3 500, 128mb ram computer which I had built from components about 2 years ago. When I record vocals by plugging a mic directly into the mic input on the soundcard a lot of interference is present on the track. It's not as noticeable when I record guitars using the same input becuase when I record those the mic level is way down low, whereas with vocals I have to put the mic level up quite high. The noise is constant and can be heard through the speakers during normal computer use (ie no music playing) when the mic volume is high. The mic volume in the volume control panel (when the wee speaker icon is double clicked) has an advanced option which lets me toggle a microphone boost setting, normal status is for it to be on. When this is turned off the noise vanishes, but vocals recorded are way too quiet and if I try to normalize the interference is still present.
OK the crux, should I get a pre-amp, or is a new soundcard the answer? When I looked at some other threads I gulped at the 'not willing to spend too much, around $400' comments, I'm a poor student. Basically I wouldn't spend more then about $100 on a soundcard at the moment, and the same on a pre-amp if that's the answer. The cheapest option would be nice, I'm saving for a some guitar upgrades.
Thanks for reading.
Jags
PS, I noticed a Creative Labs PCI 1024 (not the live one) on sale cheaply, is there any difference between this and what I've got?
OK the crux, should I get a pre-amp, or is a new soundcard the answer? When I looked at some other threads I gulped at the 'not willing to spend too much, around $400' comments, I'm a poor student. Basically I wouldn't spend more then about $100 on a soundcard at the moment, and the same on a pre-amp if that's the answer. The cheapest option would be nice, I'm saving for a some guitar upgrades.
Thanks for reading.
Jags
PS, I noticed a Creative Labs PCI 1024 (not the live one) on sale cheaply, is there any difference between this and what I've got?