what soundcard with existing mixer?

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zero260

zero260

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Hey All...
I have been reading this forum for quite awhile for entertainment as well as education. There are a lot of very knowledgable people here so hopefully this will have a simple answer...

Basically I've been using Acid & Cool Edit Pro for nearly three years just to throw ideas down and would have a "rough mix" to take to the "real studio". So lately I've decided I'll try to better my setup at home and try to achieve a satisfactory "semi-pro" sounding recording from home. Instead of forking money over at the studio, put the same money into MY OWN studio.

So I've revamped my room, upgraded my PC, and bought SONAR 3. I have been comfortable with CEP, but after reading this forum this seems like it's a better step towards "moving-up".

Anyway, on to my question.

I have been researching this forum to help me make up my mind regarding what sound card or audio interface I should get. I already have a Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro mixer so I don't think I need to get something like MOTU or whatever else having mic preamps and 1/4" inputs since I have this already with the Mackie. I'm thinking I can buy a decent soundcard that can hook directly to my Mackie and get similar if not better results than purchasing an Echo or MOTU or what-have-you. Am i correct in thinking this? Am I correct in thinking, "Why should I buy a $500 - $700 audio interface when all I need is this $250 sound card and my mackie?"
Now... What card would you recommend?

I have a:
1.2G
512M Memory
WinXP Professional

I think I would be satisfied with the ability to record two tracks at once... but obviously 4 would be better and 8 would be outstanding.

Hopefully this is enough info. If not let me know. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Also, side question... is the sound quality from CEP comparible to SONAR 3? My take from reading the forums is that CEP is the underdog and SONAR is king. I know it will vary from person to person, and the 'ol "use what YOU know and YOU like." But if I liked Windows Sound Recorder I would hope someone would say, "Hey... It's time to upgrade, buddy!" :) My reason for asking, I want to know the end result of learning a new tool is going to be justified. I really don't want to spend time getting use to a new program if the results are going to be the same, or barely different than my Cool Edit Pro.

Thanks guys for your time and input. I look forward to the replies.

-Tony
 
Forgot to mention...

I'm not sure if it's important or not -- but I do not need MIDI.

Thanks again!

-Tony
 
Any of the M-Audio cards :Audiophile 2496, Delta 44, Delta 66 are great sounding.
I use both CEP and Sonar 3 . I use Sonar for MIDI and I do my editing with CEP. Each program has it' own strengths so neither is better than the other.
 
Ocnor,
Thanks for the reply. I think I'll look into getting the Delta 66.


The question on the difference between quality between CEP & SONAR is pointed more towards mulltitracking from drum loops and recording guitar, bass, & vox (and sometimes real drums) thru the Mackie/soundcard combo.

I will not be doing any MIDI at all.

Based on this... do you think is it still worth it to invest the time to learn SONAR or stick with what I know (Cool Edit Pro)?

Thanks again!


-Tony
 
I use the Echo Layla 24/96 and I have not had one problem with it. Solid card. And I just saw that Musician's Friend is have a sale on them and other Echo models. (I guess Echo is coming out with a new model?) I'm also using ACID (plus just about every other Sonic Foundry, oops, I mean Sony product there is). I'm also using a 1604 and my computer set-up is similar to yours.
I use ACID/Vegas 5 for looping/multitracking, respectively, and Sound Forge 6 for editing/tweaking/mangling. CD Architect 5 to burn audio discs. Haven't used CEP, so I can't tell you what's better about SF.
 
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If you don't do MIDI then Sonar would be a waste of time. CEP is so much easier to use. You could always upgrade to Adobe Audition.
 
zero260 said:
Ocnor,
Thanks for the reply. I think I'll look into getting the Delta 66.


The question on the difference between quality between CEP & SONAR is pointed more towards mulltitracking from drum loops and recording guitar, bass, & vox (and sometimes real drums) thru the Mackie/soundcard combo.

I will not be doing any MIDI at all.

Based on this... do you think is it still worth it to invest the time to learn SONAR or stick with what I know (Cool Edit Pro)?

Thanks again!


-Tony
Click to expand...

Do you need s/pdif? If not go for the Delta 44 & save $50.

Another alternative to Sonar is Guitar Tracks 3. It uses the Sonar audio engine, but doesn't do midi so it's alot cheaper
 
Keep in mind when you are buying your sound card that if you record from the mixer to the card the # of tracks you can record simultaneously is limited by the # of outs on the board most Mackies are 2 or 4 buss mixers and normally you can't split the inputs to separate busses which means you are probably going to only get 2 tracks at a time. So in short having a sound card with 6 ins and six outs is a waste of 4 ins and outs. One option is to only use the mixer for mics, and input the instruments directly to the card.
J.
 
jeffrydada said:
Keep in mind when you are buying your sound card that if you record from the mixer to the card the # of tracks you can record simultaneously is limited by the # of outs on the board most Mackies are 2 or 4 buss mixers and normally you can't split the inputs to separate busses which means you are probably going to only get 2 tracks at a time. So in short having a sound card with 6 ins and six outs is a waste of 4 ins and outs. One option is to only use the mixer for mics, and input the instruments directly to the card.
J.
Click to expand...
This is wrong on so many levels. The number of busses has NOTHING to do with how many discrete outputs a mixer has. For example, most all Mackie mixers have direct outputs as well as inserts that can be utilized as direct outputs.
 
Very good info guys, thanks.

I've read Ethan's article before, great info all around on his site.

That is the info I was looking for. When I read Ethan's article a couple of weeks ago I understood I could take the insert from the first 8 channels if I wanted directly to a sound card and wouldn't necessarily need something like the Layla 24/96 (or the like) unless I wanted to record more than eight simultaneous tracks. I just needed a comfirmation and you all have done that.

Bulls Hit -
No, I will not be using s/pdif, at least not right away. So that's a great tip. I would be looking at 4 simultaneous in's (analog) with either the 44 or the 66 correct?

Also another question that I think I know the answer to. Depending on what webpage you read... it will say the Audiophile 2496 has 2 simultaneous inputs or another will say 4. It this a misprint? Or is it 2 stereo, 4 mono? I'm thinking the 4 input is either a misprint or they are talking of two other inputs I wouln't be using anyway.

Ocnor, thanks for the info on the MIDI and Sonar... this gives me something to think about.


Thank again all --
Happy recording!

-T
 
zero260 said:
Bulls Hit -
No, I will not be using s/pdif, at least not right away. So that's a great tip. I would be looking at 4 simultaneous in's (analog) with either the 44 or the 66 correct?

Also another question that I think I know the answer to. Depending on what webpage you read... it will say the Audiophile 2496 has 2 simultaneous inputs or another will say 4. It this a misprint? Or is it 2 stereo, 4 mono? I'm thinking the 4 input is either a misprint or they are talking of two other inputs I wouln't be using anyway.
-T
Click to expand...

The Delta 66 and 44 both have 4 i/o, the only difference being that the 66 also adds a s/pdif i/o which is stereo, so that is counted as another 2.

Same for the audiophile 2496. It is a 2 i/o card that also has stereo S/Pdif, making it a 4 i/o card. So it could be used with 4 inputs if you had a unit with S/Pdif out on it like a TC M300 or something.

Hope that helps.
 
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