Need a sound card recommendation

[Rob_63]

My current board is an Intel D945PVS which has Intel Hi Def. SigmaTel audio chip, it has a front breakout box and does what I need it to. But, have decided to go AMD dual core and will be probably getting an Asus board.

What I need it to do is input from a set of electronic drums, and be able to play over / mix a media player. My current setup does this, but it is time to move on from it.

I am not a heavy / serious gamer, I do a little now and then so it is not of ultimate priority, what is important is good sound quality and being able to do the mixing from an input. I have a set of EV Sonic 2.1's that I will not part with, they retired my Klipsch promedias to my daughters rig.

Can any of you guys that are musicians out there recommend something that will achieve my goal for under 200?

Thanks!

 

[Zepper]

Some integrated sound has more than one input (e.g. Line and Aux) and the standard mixer software in Windows (or the audio rack app that may come with the mobo on the driver CD) will allow you to mix them. So you may not need anything more.

Optionally it wouldn't be too difficult or expensive to get a two-input, one-output mixer and run that into your mobo's single Line Input...

Audacity is a very neat sound-file twiddling software if you don't have any. It's free via SourceForge.net or .org.

You can create your own breakout box with parts from http://www.frontx.com

.bh.

 

[slpaulson]

Do you still need a front breakout box? If you don't something from M-Audio will probably be good. If you do need the breakout box, I think something from Creative is your only option.

 

[Rob_63]

As far as onboard sound goes I wouldn't be happy with anything less then th SigmTel Hi Def. that is in my current board, so a sound card is definite.

I would prefer to have a way to connect in the front of the computer, I have a CM Stacker that sits on the floor between my desk and a file cabinet so accessing the back is not an easy thig to do. I use the breakout box daily with a headset when I play online. There are mic / speaker and USB ports that are built into the front of my case but I chose to use the box because of simplicity to hook up.

I just browsed the website and the FrontX looks to have potential, thanks.

 

[Zepper]

I don't know. The Analog Devices sound that's on lots of Asus is a pretty good step above average.

.bh.

 

[Rob_63]

Yes, it is, I have an Asus P5AD2 Premium here that has the Realtek 880 chip in it, it is decent but not as good as the SIgmaTel in my Intel board.

 

[Future Shock]

Spend the $99 and get an M-Audio 2496 or better. Has high quality stereo inputs and outputs, and is designed for home musicians rather than gamers. Very high software accompanies it to control the built-in patchbay/router, digitization parameters, input levels, codec sample rate, master clock synch, Asio options, multi-track device drivers...you should be getting the idea. Even if you DON'T use all those settings, they certainly show what the card was built for. And as for sound quality on the outputs...it's superb. I use a pair of Altec Lansing 5021s for monitors.

The M-Audio 2496 card does not have a front break-out box, but other M-Audio cards a step up do. But then you reach a point of diminishing returns...I personally found that running a set of extender cables to the side of my rig was all I needed, but YMMV.

Future Shock