Good soundcard?

[Terren]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of configuring a custom PC.

I want to use it for recording and stuff too in the future, so I added some firewire ports. Also, I need to pick out a good soundcard!

I really just want to know if this is good enough:

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=206&product=10315&nav=1


I've heard good things, but not specifically about recording. Let me know what you think.

[Slipstream]

There was a press release about Creative getting sued for claiming 24 bit recording with the Live! card when it actually only recorded in 16 bit. I would avoid that card. But, your question was if it was "good enough". Yeah, good enough for recording at home. Not as pro gear though. Actually those kind of cards are more for output rather than input (like for recording). Firewire interfaces are much better, but more costly. A good happy medium would be a USB interface. There are several makers, M-Audio, Edirol, Yamaha, even Creative makes a decent USB sound card (Soundblaster). A lot depends on how many channels you want to record at a time, and what kind of sound quality you require (and your budget of course).

[Terren]

My other options are

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10653&nav=1

and

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=4915&nav=1

But, they are significantly more expensive. Basically, if they're not leaps and bounds over the one I mentioned first, I'm not gonna bother. Also, all the 7.1 channel stuff is useless, sine I run in simple stereo with my stereo speakers.

So, would you "highly" recommend any of those other two, worth the investment, or should I just get the first one?

Thanks.

[Slipstream]

The first one is a waste of money (imo), when your motherboard probably has as good of a sound system (16 bit, stereo). The other cards are good, but not by a large margin. I would recommend the Audigy LS value card if you want to go with Creative.

The firewire ports will come in handy if you get serious about recording in the future. I like the Firepod because it's got 8 channels, and you can run two together for recording 16 tracks simultaneously. You could record a whole band and mic everything, even mic each drum and cymbal.

If all you want to record is a guitar you might want to go with on-board sound (the built-in audio on your motherboard) and one of the USB DI boxes like a Line-6 guitar port or something.

[Terren]

Maybe the best option is to get a better motherboard, then?

If it's so difficult to pick out a card right now, I might as well just upgrade down the line when I am absolutely ready to record, and know what to look for in a sound card?

The current motherboard is this one:

http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=15&l3=0&model=596&modelmenu=1

but I can change it to a few options, such as:

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=681

or

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K8N_Neo4_Platinum&class=mb

for not much more money.

So, is that a better option?

(The reason I'm not going to go with that value card first, is that the shop I am getting this done at doesn't have a huge selection of sound cards, so the creative ones I showed you were the best ones they had.)

Thanks for all your help so far, Slip!

[JustStartin]

This might help. I was looking at it the other day. Its benchmark testing on various sound cards. It rates them from best to worst.

http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/compare/

[Slipstream]

Terren: Yer welcome for the help. I'm going to upgrade my tower soon, and what I'd do different is get a mobo with built-in firewire. I have a firewire card, but I read at homerecording.com that the on-board firewire is better. I forget the details, but it's something to do with resources and conflicts and stuff. I didn't see firewire on that first option you showed, but I did on the other two (firewire = IEEE1394)

Just: That's a really cool find there. I'm bookmarkin' it.

[BMG_SKULK]

I have the old Audigy Gamer...

I use 2 1/4" plugs out of my V-Ampire...but it all gets dumped back into
a mini-plug once it gets to the card.

I have figured some ways to get a "stereo" sound anyway..but would like a
true stereo connection.

What are these other ports on the underside of the card...and how would/could
I use them...?

See jpg

[fiveiron]

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAudio-Audiophile-USB-Audio-and-MIDI-Interface-SEALED_W0QQitemZ7373943144QQcategoryZ41784QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem i say get something like this.. cheap and decent..

[Grim]

I use the M-Audio 192, the M-Audio Transit (notebook/USB based), and Echo Mia cards. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE between a sound card and an audio card. For audio recording, get something that can accept a 1/4" jack. If I were going to tell anybody to get one card and one-card only, go to the M-Audio Audiophile 192 (first one I mentioned). Multiple inputs, mono & stereo. Integrated into ProTools M-Powered edition quite well.

[Dieselten]

You need an Audio Interface, not a soundcard. There is a HUGE difference.

Go to the Tweak's Guide (www.tweakhweadz.com) and you'll find out what the difference is and why you need a proper Audio Interface. Otherwise it's just going to be "frustration-city".

[Slipstream]

You need an Audio Interface, not a soundcard. There is a HUGE difference.

Go to the Tweak's Guide (www.tweakhweadz.com) and you'll find out what the difference is and why you need a proper Audio Interface. Otherwise it's just going to be "frustration-city".A sound card is a type of audio interface. It is a PCI audio interface. There are also PCI audio interfaces that have breakout boxes, and there are audio interfaces that are not PCI based, such as USB and Firewire.

So all sound cards are audio interfaces, but not all audio interfaces are sound cards.


btw, here's a link to that site that works: TweakHeadz Lab (http://www.tweakheadz.com/)