Good sound card for audio recording?

octopus41092

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What are some recommended sound cards for audio recording? It's going to be used in a home recording studio.
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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What sources are you recording from.

I personally really like my E-mu 1212m for its recording capabilities.
 

octopus41092

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Originally posted by: PurdueRy
What sources are you recording from.

I personally really like my E-mu 1212m for its recording capabilities.

Just a mic and a preamp. I was looking at the MOTU Traveler MKII, since that's USB interface would that require a sound card of any sort? I also need it to have accurate sound reproduction for when I'm editing.
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: octopus41092
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
What sources are you recording from.

I personally really like my E-mu 1212m for its recording capabilities.

Just a mic and a preamp. I was looking at the MOTU Traveler MKII, since that's USB interface would that require a sound card of any sort? I also need it to have accurate sound reproduction for when I'm editing.

I think that goes a bit beyond what you need for a single mic and amp. I am mostly seeing the mk3 version of the traveler but its quite expensive. There are many PCI and USB recording interfaces that are much cheaper and can interface with your equipment.

Take a look at E-mu and M-audio's offerings and see what you think. I know E-mu has the 0404 external interface that would offer connections to your microphone with a built in preamp. You can read more about it here.

I'm not trying to stop you from considering the traveler. But really evaluate how far you plan to take this for your needs. If you just need to record a microphone or two, much simpler devices will suffice.
 

bludragon

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Jun 25, 2008
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I would pick one of these:

http://www.americanmusical.com...dio-interface--srcin-1

Depending on what in/out you need. The tracker pre adds pre-amps (for mic or instrument), the 0404 adds midi, digital i/o and phantom power for the mic inputs. I have an 0404 usb, the only bad part is that foobar loses the asio device each time I power down so I need to go into prefs and add it again.
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: bludragon
I would pick one of these:

http://www.americanmusical.com...dio-interface--srcin-1

Depending on what in/out you need. The tracker pre adds pre-amps (for mic or instrument), the 0404 adds midi, digital i/o and phantom power for the mic inputs. I have an 0404 usb, the only bad part is that foobar loses the asio device each time I power down so I need to go into prefs and add it again.

Must have to do with the USB connection. I use foobar w/ the emu 1212m and it works fine.
 

ChaiBabbaChai

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Dec 16, 2005
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Right now, the best bang-for-the-buck interface in the 2-micpre league is the echo AudioFire 4. If you need enough inputs to record drums, then you should look at the ONYX or maybe a firewire Allen & Heath board. But the AudioFire 4 is only $270 at Abe's of Maine. $299 everywhere else. As with any firewire interface (which is better than USB), it might not work consistently if you have a laptop because most laptops have shitty firewire chipsets. TI makes the only really compatible chipset, and it's PCI native. The problem with USB is it uses more CPU, which you'll need for plug-ins. Got a PCI slot?
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: nerp
Creative stuff isn't in the same league as emu, motu, m-audio, creamware, etc. At all.
Ehh...EM-U has been part of Creative Labs since 1993 and has actively co-developed most of Creative's audio controllers since SBLive!. In fact, the SBLive! and Audigy Series used the EMU10K1 and EMU10K2 DSP core, respectively, while X-Fi is based on EMU20K1 with virtually no modifications other than firmware, drivers, different I/O options, DAC/ADC, and Op-Amps.

X-Fi is no slouch WRT ADC/DAC performance. Besides, digital is digital, as long as you disable the 'sound enhancement' crap that Creative provides.
 

ChaiBabbaChai

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Dec 16, 2005
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digital may be digital but ASIO2 is important, I think. ;) I also don't agree that "digital is digital". There are examples floating around the net of some synth music going through a soundblaster and then a some higher-end converters (20 passes through the converters)and there is a definite difference to notice. Also, listening to a record done, for example, a presonus firepod vs. a record done with, say, apogee or lavry converters, there is a noticeable difference if you have a nice enough set of transducers/amps. So, I would disagree. All digital is not created equal.
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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But you're not talking about digital, you're talking about multiple (almost senseless in number of) D-A or A-D conversions. I'm sure the referenced Sound Blaster is an older EMU10K based model with the 48KHz sample rate converter limit issue and with inferior converters, not the X-Fi based cards.

Besides, the X-Fi Elite Pro that was being panned as 'inferior' uses excellent converters that are found on numerous pro interfaces from ESI, M-Audio, MOTU, Lynx, DigiDesign, and others; Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC and AKM AK5394A ADC.

And X-Fi supports ASIO2. Creative's drivers are another matter.
 

ChaiBabbaChai

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Dec 16, 2005
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Originally posted by: tcsenter
But you're not talking about digital, you're talking about multiple (almost senseless in number of) D-A or A-D conversions. I'm sure the referenced Sound Blaster is an older EMU10K based model with the 48KHz sample rate converter limit issue and with inferior converters, not the X-Fi based cards.

Besides, the X-Fi Elite Pro that was being panned as 'inferior' uses excellent converters that are found on numerous pro interfaces from ESI, M-Audio, MOTU, Lynx, DigiDesign, and others; Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC and AKM AK5394A ADC.

And X-Fi supports ASIO2. Creative's drivers are another matter.

Don't take it personally. It was actually an X-Fi (not sure which model and I'm not interested).

The real nice thing about using a tool made for the job is you can get the job done with less hassle. That's why you don't want an X-Fi for recording your performances. The sub-$5,000 units (with whatever converters they implement) are perfectly fine for recording demos at home or even releasing an indie record. It's the music not the price of your gear. (I hear Trent Reznor knows something about this)

BTW, 1st pass is into the DAW, 2nd pass is through your monitors ... then if you mix OTB - 2nd pass out to effect, 3rd pass back into DAW, 4th monitors. That's a pretty simple scenario and is not uncommon.
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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I would point-out that four passes is a lot less than 20 passes. Its important to know the limits of your equipment, no matter if you've spent $300 or $3000, they all have them.

Comparing $300 sound card with $3000 rack-mount converters is kind of dumb, but only comparing one sound card to said converters rather than to other competing sound cards is even dumber. Its entirely possible that a $400 RME, Lynx, ESI, E-MU, MOTU, or M-Audio professional interface would fair no better than X-Fi Elite Pro in such a comparison. Not just possible, but likely.

And it does matter which X-Fi model, as the Elite Pro is the only X-Fi SKU that has professional quality converters used by DigiDesign, ESI, E-MU, RME, Lynx, M-Audio, and others. Some X-Fi models use the same converters as Audigy2. Of course its always nice to have the best tools for the job. If I could afford it, I would have one of those Snap-On Dream Garages worth about $75,000. But alas, I'll have to make due with what I can afford (like everyone else).

FWIW, I despise Creative Labs. I think Creative is a monopoly, has engaged in illegal anticompetitive practices, and should be split-up. I haven't purchased a Creative product since 1997 or 1998. When I decide to boycott a company because they are blatantly refusing to take responsibility for their product's flaws/defects, its not just until they release their next new product.
 

ChaiBabbaChai

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Dec 16, 2005
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Originally posted by: tcsenter
I would point-out that four passes is a lot less than 20 passes. Its important to know the limits of your equipment, no matter if you've spent $300 or $3000, they all have them.

Comparing $300 sound card with $3000 rack-mount converters is kind of dumb, but only comparing one sound card to said converters rather than to other competing sound cards is even dumber. Its entirely possible that a $400 RME, Lynx, ESI, E-MU, MOTU, or M-Audio professional interface would fair no better than X-Fi Elite Pro in such a comparison. Not just possible, but likely.

And it does matter which X-Fi model, as the Elite Pro is the only X-Fi SKU that has professional quality converters used by DigiDesign, ESI, E-MU, RME, Lynx, M-Audio, and others. Some X-Fi models use the same converters as Audigy2. Of course its always nice to have the best tools for the job. If I could afford it, I would have one of those Snap-On Dream Garages worth about $75,000. But alas, I'll have to make due with what I can afford (like everyone else).

FWIW, I despise Creative Labs. I think Creative is a monopoly, has engaged in illegal anticompetitive practices, and should be split-up. I haven't purchased a Creative product since 1997 or 1998. When I decide to boycott a company because they are blatantly refusing to take responsibility for their product's flaws/defects, its not just until they release their next new product.

Just shut your face.

That's not even what we were discussing (arguing in your mind). But, thanks for pointing out that 4 is less than 20 - I forgot.
 

ChaiBabbaChai

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Dec 16, 2005
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to the OP:

Let's get back on track... the most important features to look for are compatibilty and input (type and number of). Compatibility can mean the drivers, the interface type (and chipset inside the PC) and software (related to drivers). The best in regards to stability, sound quality-per-dollar and adaptability are the Echo units, the lower-priced Presonus crap, the M-Audio stuff. For more money you have RME and Mackie ONYX (only the Onyx). I'm kind of curious how the Allen & Heath perform as they made some nice mixers. Alesis, Lexicon, Emu, Edirol, Tascam - I would avoid based on not having heard anything good about them.
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
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Originally posted by: ChaiBabbaChai
That's not even what we were discussing (arguing in your mind). But, thanks for pointing out that 4 is less than 20 - I forgot.
A "lot" less than 20.

 

ChaiBabbaChai

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Dec 16, 2005
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Originally posted by: tcsenter
Originally posted by: ChaiBabbaChai
That's not even what we were discussing (arguing in your mind). But, thanks for pointing out that 4 is less than 20 - I forgot.
A "lot" less than 20.

Well, the purpose of using 20 passes is obviously to emphasize the fact that converters DO alter the source. And that was in response to your comment that "digital is digital" which really doesn't even mean anything. But, I know where you're coming from because many people think digital means quality or some magical unicorn crap. It's another case of marketing making the world stupid. Now, to the OP's goal of making multi-track recordings, when you stack a bunch of tracks (like any normal recording does) the flaws are emphasized and more apparent, much like 20 passes make them more apparent. But, like I said, no one here is recording for a major release, so work-flow is much more important... compatibility to your system/style.