I have a MIDI interface/synth type card now, I believe - a SoundBlaster PCI 64D. It came as the better of two soundcards available at the time (July '99) as a package with my computer (Gateway E4200), a 450MHz, with 128K RAM. I added a 13.5G drive, but for now (while I am learning) everything is on a 8.5G drive.
What I want are better drums sounds and XLR ins for audio.
The drums on the SB card put the "uck" in suck, and I don't get a satisfactory mic input signal using a high to low impedence converter, coupled with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter going direct to the card. I want to delay investing in a mike pre and compressor, or a mixer, until after upgrading my drum sounds.
I don't know whether any MIDI interface/synth cards come with decent drums. I might need an audio card, a MIDI interface, and a sound module. I just don't understand well enough how everything works together to make an intelligent decision.
I would like to stay with high-quality expandable gear, so I can increase the number of ins and outs by adding more units, rather than replacing equipment. And I want to stay with a company that produces a product designed to be programmable, to keep up with technological improvements. Maybe this is too much to ask.
If you know of a MIDI interface/synth card that has XLR ins, and high-quality drum sounds, I would like to hear about it. If you think my needs dictate a separate audio card and sound module, please suggest which ones I might consider and tell me how to patch them together and into the computer.
sib