Audio Interface or Sound Card.....?

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Member Since: Aug 02, 2008

I am goin to college here in about a month and goin to major in Recording Engineering. Obviously i need to get my own computer. I want to get a laptop for the covenience and portability. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy the Dell XPS 1530. I am goin to be doing my own recording, as some recording for school too. Should I get a high-quality soundcard?....or an audio interface?....or both?? Because I've done some research and have found pros and cons about all options.

PLEASE HELP!!!

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 02, 2008 07:09 pm

a sound card IS an audio interface...

Member
Since: Aug 02, 2008


Aug 02, 2008 07:12 pm

I mean an external interface. Laptop sound cards do not have as much variety as desktop sound cards.

Member
Since: Aug 02, 2008


Aug 02, 2008 07:38 pm

I mean for example like an M-Audio USB interface. I am still a noob to all this so please bare with me.

Member
Since: Mar 12, 2008


Aug 02, 2008 09:07 pm

IMO i would get a mac cuz i wouldnt be suprised if whatever school you go to, they use em. That aside i really like my Toneport UX-2, and the KB37 is nifty too.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 02, 2008 11:22 pm

Yep, I would stick with an external interface. Probably USB as some of the firewire drivers seem to be a bit flaky still and that might hold especially true on a Dell as they do tend to install a lot of unneeded stuff that might cause even more conflicts.

But most firewire interfaces arer very picky about the firewire chip that is used. Most need to run on a TI chip to work without issue's.

But yes, M-Audio are a very good choice. Line 6 as well has a killer USB interface selection.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Aug 03, 2008 07:15 am

Highly recommended, getting an audio interface. That will make life much easier in school. Onboard sound isn't built with audio work in mind, so they have low-budget preamp, low-budget converters, and low-budget (high) latency.

So you'll be much farther ahead getting an external interface.

I'd tend to agree with Mack as well, and at least see what they're using for hardware (computers). They may be mostly running mac, so a dell may not get you very far into the curriculum.

Member
Since: Aug 02, 2008


Aug 03, 2008 02:44 pm

Yes that is a solid point...I didn't even think about it until Mack said it.

And it made me think....I remember when i took the tour that the music department was full of Macs.....I THINK.
I'm not 100% on it so I am going to call the Dept. Director and ask.
....and i had my heart set on the XPS too...oh well if i gotta get a mac then i'll get a Mac.

How should I build a MacBook? I assume 4GB RAM, and they don't have an option for 7200 HD so i will probly need to get an external one right?
And I assume I will still need to buy an external interface?

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 03, 2008 03:09 pm

Check out the gear list in my profile for a Macbook based recording setup. It all works beautifully together. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions regarding macs as well.

Member
Since: Mar 12, 2008


Aug 03, 2008 07:03 pm

here is a link to a newegg mac around the same price as the xps www.newegg.com/Product/Pr...N82E16834100033

Yea still get an external interface. And external HDD's are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Aug 04, 2008 12:39 pm

$1100 for a laptop with 1GB of ram and a 120GB hard drive seems expensive simply for the MAC name.

I am sure it would work just fine, just like a PC. Unless MAC is a course requirement I would not get one just "because". There is nothing provided here besides opinion (which is not a bad thing) to sway your decision one way or the other.

If I was basing my decision off feedback from others, I would want some hard facts saying "this works on mac, not pc". Once again, check with the school and see if there even is a standard for the course.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 04, 2008 12:41 pm

Yes, schools are typically mac driven for any sort of media production...I wouldn't say that is a good reason to marry yourself to it, as the concepts of recording are the same across any platform...arm, record, process, mix, etc...

Do what is best for you based on budget, needs, etc...if that means a mac will work best for you, great, but don't do it just cuz the teacher/curriculum does.

Member
Since: Aug 02, 2008


Aug 04, 2008 05:40 pm

I am not goin to get a mac ONLY for the reason that my school uses them...I am getting a new laptop for my own personal recording, and I need one for school. I figured it would be easier to get a Mac because I will be taught on a Mac. I don't want to have to switch between Windows and Macintosh on a regular basis. Maybe thats not a big deal and I'm making it a big deal...

I'm pretty sure the XPS and the Macbook will both suit my needs just fine. Really my needs are pretty simple. I just need a good laptop to make good quality recordings, and the simple fact that I need to get a PC for school. Being stated, both notebooks will do me good, it would just make things easier to get a Mac because I will be trained on Mac, and I know Macs are good for media production. Also another reason for swaying toward a Mac is not needing to use Vista. I have very little experience using Vista, but I rarely hear anything good about it. Maybe I can save problems by not using Vista....or maybe I'm using wrongful reasoning for deciding on what to get...honestly if I go with either one, I will probly be satisfied either way. I'm only have tough deciding because I don't want to regret it later on down the road...

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Aug 04, 2008 06:09 pm

I record on Vista. My laptop was $700, it works well and I spent my extra money on gear. There, now you have heard something positive about vista :)

Make sure the 10.5 OS works with whatever interface you decide on, I have seen plenty of issues from people that had none before upgrading.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 04, 2008 07:17 pm

Yep, only reason I wont do a Mac is the slim or expensive choice's you have for software and hardware.

Upgrading a Mac will cost more then twice what it will cost to upgrade Windows based unit.

As far as Vista goes. It is having new driver's released for it every day by many good companies.

But my choice is still XP Pro for the simple reason I need to depend on everything working without a flaw. And it does just that.

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