which soundcard should I get?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fishy1999
  • Start date Start date
F

fishy1999

New member
Hey folks. I have been using my trusty BR-532 for over a year and a half, and though it has been useful for what it is, I would like to have more recording and editing capability. Thus, I would like to record right onto my laptop (I don't have a desktop) and would like advice on what soundcard/editing program to get. I don't think my laptop has firewire capability so it would have to be USB or PCMCI (or whatever that card port is called). I don't need to record more than two tracks at a time as I do all my recording alone. I would like superior sound quality and a very intuitive and easy to use editing program. I can spend only up to $700 Canadian, which is about $500 US. So, what would you wise veterans recommend?
 
Echo Audio Indigo IO ($179) and Cakewalk Home Studio 2004XL ($149) or Adobe Audition ($250-$300).
 
brzilian said:
Echo Audio Indigo IO ($179) and Cakewalk Home Studio 2004XL ($149) or Adobe Audition ($250-$300).
Click to expand...

The Echo Indigo io looks very interesting. Has anyone had experience with it?
 
as much as i hate pro tools.. i'd say get an m-box.. works with all software and it comes bundled with pro tools le, reason , and ableton live...
 
The choice is entirely your own, but my 2 bits would be ... opt for a FireWire solution over USB if you are wanting greater input #'s. Also if you do go FireWire ... make sure the PCMCIA CardBus FireWire chipset is Texas Instruments based. They seem to have the best compatibility record.
http://onlinestore.siig.com/
offers the 1394 CardBus Dual Part # NN-PCM212 for $30 US
If all you ever want is Two tracks at a time then Echo or M-Audio should do ya good. Might wanna plan for the future though, and look for a card with greater I/O capabilities.
Just a thought.
 
aha

So. Let me get this straight. Even though I don't appear to have a firewire input jack on my laptop, I can just use the PCIMCetc. port by using an adaptor to convert it to firewire (using, for example, a 1394 CardBus Dual). Once I have done that, then I can use soundcards that are firewire based. Thus, I have far more choices. I see. The question then becomes which firewire soundcard to get! M-box, echo indigo, echo layla etc. These are tough choices...
 
Yup .... you are absolutely correct. Oh the indecisions! :confused:
Good luck Bro. :cool:

-Ken

Edited adding .... I use that exact CardBus on a HP laptop with a MOTU 828mkII http://www.motu.com/ for mobile recording. FireWire is cool .... hook it up to my rack-mount P4 DAW in my studio or drag it along to a gig with the laptop. Gotta love it.
 
Oh .... As far as software for multitracking ... check out n-Track http://ntrack.com/main.shtm Only $69 US for the 24bit version. It has a very easy learning curve, as well as it's own support forum full of great knowledgeable people as well as a sister site http://audiominds.com/index2.html run by some of the forum members. Even if you don't use n-Track, Audiominds.com is full of useful info and links to even more. Check it out. Those of you who have heard of n-Track but haven't checked it out in a while .... check it out now, up to version 3.3 with version 4 due out any time.

-Ken
 
So the Motu 828MKII is good, but what about the Motu 828? Some guy on ebay is selling one for $300CAD and it's in my own city (Toronto), so there would be no shipping, and I could assault him with various implements if it doesn't work. Does this sound like a good deal (given the whole caveat emptor thing with buying on ebay)?
 
I have no experience with the earlier 828, tho I have heard of others using it with great success. Hey ... if it works and the dude is right there in town ... and as long as he has all the documentation for it, might be a good idea. Maybe he will let you come by and check it out. Get the software installed on your PC and hook it up .... give it a shake down before you leave with it. I haven't had to deal with MOTU support at all (knock on wood), but you might want to check with them and see if the software updates they offer on their site are compatible with the earlier units. Maybe someone else will see this thread that knows more than I in that regard. You always have to ask yourself "Why is this dude selling it?" Myself ... if I had another $750 bucks to spend ... I'd grab up another mkII new .... get the full warranty. If the dude can prove that it works flawlessly and the software is update-able, I see no reason why you shouldn't jump on the deal. You could always go out to the clubs and see if some of the local bands would want their set recorded and dumped to CD. Make some money with it ... then upgrade in the future. Paying only 300 might leave ya with a little coin to spend on some mics or pre amps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top