i will be recording a demo cd next month using my computer (ghettofied...but im broke).
Currently all i have is an sound blaster mp3+
I dont really keep up with computer hardware anymore, but i seem to remember that sound cards dont grow by leaps and bounds like video cards do. Am I alright to keep this card?
If i got a high quality computer microphone and just plugged it into the card would sound quality be that bad? (assuming good acoustics, btw i am only recording vocals, no instruments). I dont have money shooting out of my ... but i want good quality.
I am looking for reccomendations on a few things, since i have been out of the loop for a year or two.
1). Sound card (if i need to upgrade at all)
2). Speakers (Back when i was hip to this stuff kiplish was running things...still true?)
3). Good microphone
4). External device (Like an extigy or that live drive, do i even need one?)
5. Some good headphones.
Also, can anyone with experience in this area reccomend some good audio programs? Capturing vocals, cleaning them up, adding effects, mating them to a wav etc.
Sorry if I sound like a newbie again
Any help appreciated, thanks all!

Currently all i have is an sound blaster mp3+
I dont really keep up with computer hardware anymore, but i seem to remember that sound cards dont grow by leaps and bounds like video cards do. Am I alright to keep this card?
If i got a high quality computer microphone and just plugged it into the card would sound quality be that bad? (assuming good acoustics, btw i am only recording vocals, no instruments). I dont have money shooting out of my ... but i want good quality.
I am looking for reccomendations on a few things, since i have been out of the loop for a year or two.
1). Sound card (if i need to upgrade at all)
2). Speakers (Back when i was hip to this stuff kiplish was running things...still true?)
3). Good microphone
4). External device (Like an extigy or that live drive, do i even need one?)
5. Some good headphones.
Also, can anyone with experience in this area reccomend some good audio programs? Capturing vocals, cleaning them up, adding effects, mating them to a wav etc.
Sorry if I sound like a newbie again
Any help appreciated, thanks all!