we need a new soundcard

[dobro]

Today, I saw an add for the new ART DI/O: two channels of 24/96 AD/DA conversion for $209. For a few bucks more you can get two channels of conversion with the Lucid 9624 (for $780). For the sake of argument, let's say those two converters are useful bottom and top end markers for external converters for most of the people on this board. In other words, affordable external converters are within the budgets of loads of people on this board. Now, Sjoko says, and I believe him, that soundcards just *can't* do good conversion. So, we have to go external, right?

So why pay for converters on a soundcard? And do you know of any soundcard without converters? No - right? Yet why pay for what you don't need?

Do we need a new soundcard?

 

[zoetrope]

I'm with you (do)bro!

I nominate you to form the company that will build these converter-less sound cards and market them to the masses and explain to them that they now need to go out and pick an AD converter, and then realize that the market for these numbers in the 100s. Don't forget, the computer makes all kinds of noises when we use it for things like e-mail and internet, and you wouldn't be able to hear any of this till you bought an external AD converter and hooked it up. It's a good idea in theory, but realistically I doubt the AD converters on most sound cards add much to their cost. They probably spend more on advertising per unit than AD converters.

The real solution suggested by your post is to buy the crappiest sound card out there (or use the one that came with your computer) and just add a nice AD converter to that.

Or just record to a wax cylinder, which is what I keep telling everyone but they all say they can't hear me over the scritch scritch scritch sound.

 

[PRiZ]

word!

but you have to remember sjoko is a top level producer, and second best isn't what he's going for... It's a different story with starting out home recording, or the average person. All I'm saying is soundcard converters arn't bad... they still beat the average SSB live 16 bit cards and more... I think to many peeps neglect external converters, and if you use multiple channels for instance more than two, odds are your gonna want (need?) a clock and sjoko was talking about a sync machine too, so it's not quite that cheap, aswell as if you want a good da converter..

 

[VirtualSamana]

Unlike most soundcards that have both A/D and D/A converters, the DiO 2448 by Maudio has only D/A converters. In other words if you want to record audio with it you need an external converter to connect to it’s s/pdif inputs. There are also interfaces that accept digital (audio) information and don't have any converters on them (can these be called soundcards...hmmm I guess that's a matter of opinion)

 

[Gidge]

Actually the Delta Dio doesnt have AD converters.....only DA converters.....the Dio 2448 goes for about $89 and the 2496 is around $200.....although, technically, it wouldnt be called a soundcard, but a digital interface.....

Im pretty curious how that Art unit sounds...2 channels of 2496 AD-DA converters and "tube processing" for $200?.....im skeptical....

also, I believe that price for the Lucid is for AD conversion only...I believe you need the other unit for DA conversion....

 

[VirtualSamana]

Ha...Gidge you were too quick on the draw. I just corrected my post. Just goes to show proof reading isn't just for English class.

 

[musicsdarkangel]

yea dobro, i'm with ya too.

Hmm, theres layla, darla, gina. I like the idea of names of females for soundcards.


make....

the PAMELA! it'll be PRRRRFECT.

(i'll be the first buyer)

 

[dobro]

double post

 

[dobro]

Grinning out loud @ zoetrope. Okay, point taken. But if the converters are so damn cheap, then *what* are you paying for on the card? Circuitry, right? So, is there that much difference between circuitries on different cards? Are some significantly quieter than others? So many questions, so few answers... I tried to draw sjoko out on this one, but he wouldn't take the bait.

priz - clock and sync machine are the same thing. Sjoko told me so - it must be true.

Gidge - my suspicions about the ART unit match your own.

mdangel - I want to see the 'nada' - No Analog Digital Analog

 

[Rubo4]

But if the converters are so damn cheap, then *what* are you paying for on the card? Circuitry, right? So, is there that much difference between circuitries on different cards?


Remember the converters only convert the audio, how fast it communicates with your software will depend on your sound card latency. So the sound card that has most stable and efficient drivers will give you a better quality. You can buy Apogee stuff for 6K, but if your sound card has poor latency - you'll hear clicks and pops every two seconds, which will sound worse then Sound Blaster. You can't skate if there is no ice.

 

[dobro]

Okay, drivers, and of course, clock affects the quality of the sound, aside from the converters. But are some circuitries quiter than others?

Accuracy and quietness - that's what you're looking for in a card, right?