Selection of a sound card for recording (newbie question)
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Posted on Jul 13, 2002 02:27 pm
Ty
Member Since: Jul 13, 2002
Hi all. I am very new to recording. I am currently using Cool Edit Pro 2.0 on my P3 933 mhz Win XP Prof. machine. My current sound card is a Sound Blaster Live! Value, and I am finding it inadequate for recording purposes. Not only is the sound quality marginal, but i am sick of trying to convert every input to 1/8"! I am hoping you guys/gals can suggest some entry-level hardware to either replace or suppliment my Sound Blaster. I am recording thus far only live instruments, and so far only one track at a time. I would like the option to record multiple tracks at once though. Also I want to be able to record in stereo (stupid SB apparently only has mono mic and line-in jacks). I have not yet done any MIDI and don't really think I will...but if it doesn't cost much more I might pay a little extra to have the option later. Here are some of my other questions:
1. What is the difference between a "sound card" and a "digital audio card" and a "digital audio system"? I am finding these three terms on dealer websites.
2. Is there an established, recommended entry-level sound card for use with recording, or are there several well-known ones to choose from?
3. Do I want to replace my sound card or do i just want to add a recording card to my system?
4. If I add a recording card and it doesn't do MIDI, can I use the MIDI capabilities of my Sound Blaster?
5. What kind of inputs do I want? The instruments I have all have 1/4" jacks, but so far I am not seeing any sound cards with inputs like that. Do they exist or do I just need to use adapters to convert to RCA (composite) or another jack?
6. What are those black terminals on some of the cards? I think they are some kind of digital input or output but I have never seen a device nor a cable designed for use with them.
7. Of the popular sound card choices, are there any that I should stay away from due to my particular computer configuration?
Tremendous thanks to any input anyone has. I am really excited about starting out in this, but don't want to flush any money down the toilet.
thx,
~Ty
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Jul 13, 2002 04:58 pm <disclaimer>
I will try to answer these question in basic "catch-all" terms, not meant to be applied to everything 100% of the time
</disclaimer>
1- "sound card" is generally used for things like your SoundDisaster...er, SoundBlaster (oops, my bad;-)
"digital audio card" general implies some sort of digital outs (S/PDIF, Optical, etc)
"Digital Audio System" tells me there is more with the package than just the soundcard, be it integrated software, hardware control surfaces, etc.
In the root terms, they can technically be used interchagably if manufacturers want to make there stuff sound better, cuz technically, ALL sound cards ARE digital.
2- M-Audio is great, click on one of our links to Musician's Friend and surf for them, they are great cards, good price and very well supported.
3- If you don't use MIDI then take the SOundBlaster out, jump on it, throw it agaianst the wall and don't look back...if you may use MIDI someday, leave it in, or spend the few extra bucks for the feature in your next card. (by the way, MIDI is useful for MUCH more than just MIDI sounds, such as controlling effects and automating other tools such as digital preamps like the Line 6 POD).
4- yes, as well as soundfonts and any other SB feature you may want...
5- get 1/4" jacks (preferably balanced and if possible with preamps) yes there are many cards that have then, you just have to stop looking for them at Best Buy Company and CompUSA cuz they won't have studio-quality cards ;-)
6- I think you are talking about Optical outs, common with DVD and some pro audio components.
7- possibly avoid EchoAudio if your chipset (not CPU...chipset) is not an authentic, real Intel, they don't like VIA, AMD or any other Intel Clone too much, though they will work with some. M-Audio is very cross-compatible and has many different configurations you can find almost ANYTHING for your needs.
P.S. I am really not trying to push M-Audio in particular, as I personally have EchoAudio, but M-Audio is a great example in a lot of cases and are really making a huge impact on home audio recording lately.
TyMember
Since: Jul 13, 2002
Jul 15, 2002 10:27 am Thanks so much dB! I really appreciate your time. I had been thinking about M-Audio based on what I was seeing on various websites, so now i just need to figure out which of their many cards suits me best. Thanks again!
Jul 15, 2002 10:32 am Hey, my pleasure, stop back anytime, there is always someone here to help...or try anyway :-)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 15, 2002 11:52 pm I will just add that, you can get 2 card's to live together if you are carefull. I run a SB Live digital, and my M-Audio intrface card together, and also run a MidiMan 8 X 8 Midi interface. And it all live's in harmony in one box.
It did take some carefull a strategic card placement, but it is running great. And I do use it every day.
TyMember
Since: Jul 13, 2002
Jul 16, 2002 06:59 am Alright I have another question, since you guys are so helpful ;)
Since all of my instruments use 1/4" analog outputs, I want to be sure that the card I get has 1/4" analog inputs. What are those called by card-makers? And what does it mean for them to be balanced?
Jul 16, 2002 07:02 am they are called 1/4" jacks as far as I now...'balanced' means the jack has three leads rather than just two for grounding and getting you a cleaner signal, balanced jacks work fine with unbalanced signals and cables, but unbalanced jacks will not get the benefit of balancing if you have a balanced signal and cable, so you are better off getting balanaced jacks then you can handle everything.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 17, 2002 01:00 am An XLR plug is typically the way to go for balanced. But the 1/4" jack's are very good also in the balanced area. My POD has balanced 1/4" out's as do a couple of my synth's. It is a bit less noisey.
