Sound card questions from a beginner ...

Sound card questions from a beginner

Posted on Dec 09, 2006 11:02 pm
Drewseph
Member Since: Dec 09, 2006

Hi, I'm another beginner to this hobbie, and I'm still not even sure if I want to get into it. But I know I do want to experiment with it, and try to get some music on my new computer. Therefore, my plan was to buy a decent sound card, with at least 4 inputs(that i could use simultaneously), maybe a mixer, and then build up from there.
Now, I would buy the delta 44 or 1010lt if my compter had the ability to install PCI cards. I have an Intel iMac, the new Core 2 Duo one, which is incapable of using PCI cards. Therefore, I'm now limited to firewire and USB. The only card I could find that I can record 4 inputs with(through two channels though, i don't really care that much though) is the m-audio mobilepre usb one. I When i found this i figured it would suit my needs, since I could probably use it without a mixer to make semi-decent demo stuff maybe, and then if i decided i want to get heavier into recording, maybe build up and buy a mixer with better preamps, moniters, and such. It also appeared to be a good solution to me because i would be using condensers, and it has phantom power, and i figured i could probably start trying out stuff before I even buy a mixer. But I have a feeling this card is going to be crappy. I've heard bad things about usb interfaces, plus bad things about the preamps for xlr mics on this particular card. So does anyone have any suggestions for an audio interface-mixer setup that adds up to around 400-450 dollars, allows me to record with 4 inputs at a time, and I could possibly experiment with recording with only the soundcard at first before i decided to invest more heavily in equipment? Does this setup even exist? I really just want something in a lower price range, that can produce decent sound that would be used for giving away for free on the internet/handing out demos, and test out music ideas. I know I'm probably going to have to spend more money than I expect, because I can see this is an expensive hobbie, but that's okay.

-thanks, sorry for writing so much, hopefully whoever reads this will be able to cut through all the bullcrap of my post.

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jmail
jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005

Dec 10, 2006 08:43 am

I in no way advocate useage of the vendor, just that there's a good selection here:

www.sweetwater.com/store/...rice&so=asc

You'll have to determine which ones work on a Mac. Most do (firewire is "universal"), just that the software bundled with them would not.

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Dec 10, 2006 08:46 am

I'd go for a USB or firewire option if your Mac has those jacks.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 10, 2006 02:07 pm

How many pre-amped mic ins would you need at once on the interface? There are several types out there that will do 4 channels at once but some only have 2 XLR with pre's and then 1/4" jacks for the others.

And as far as the USB and firewire, there is not much differance in performance so don't stay away from USB if that is bugging you. Yes there are a couple units out there in the USB catagory that are flaky but most are very stable.