Which soundcard should i get for home recording?

Question

I need to get a new soundcard as my creative X-Fi is too much trouble. I want to be able to do some home recording so large jack inputs would be preffered and low latency also. I arent fussed wether its internal or external but i would love it if it had an optical out or digital coax out.

Please help
Joe

Answer 1

hi joe

theres loads of good soundcards worth considering and the soundblaster range from creative would normally be the first choice of anyone looking for a soundcard

however in the last 18 months asus have released a selection of soundcards that are as good if not better than the creative range of cards... and they range from just over £30 right up to £200+

the "Asus Xonar DS 7.1 PCI Sound Card"( http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Sound+Cards/Asus+Xonar+DS+7.1+PCI+Sound+Card+?productId=37596 ) is the entry level soundcard from the range and has some excellent specifications for the price

it has a 44.1 kHz (min) - 192 kHz (max) sample rate and the sound is generated by the ASUS AV200 audio processor.....it has a Signal-to-noise ratio of 107db and supports the standard 32bit pci bus interface

connections are plenty with line in/out, mic,and surround jacks.... there are no larger inputs however this can be fixed by purchasing some simple adapters

then theres the "Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 PCI-Express Sound Card"( http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Sound+Cards/Creative+Sound+Blaster+X-Fi+Xtreme+Audio+7.1+PCI-Express+Sound+Card+?productId=39863 ) which has a better selection of ports .. and also has integrated digital optical input and output which is a nice addition

so with that in mind the x-fi extreme would seem the better choice.... however the best soundcard you could buy has to be the "Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe PCI-Express Sound Card"( http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Sound+Cards/Asus+Xonar+HDAV1.3+Deluxe+PCI-Express+Sound+Card+?productId=39555 ) ... this has more features than you have ever seen.... you name it and the HDAV1 has got it

infact theres actually two cards and the quality of the sound is second to none... and for home recording theres nothing better, however be sure you have 2 x pci-express x1 bus interfaces.. allthough most modern motherboards have at least 2

alternatively and slightly cheaper you could go with the "Asus Xonar D2/PM 7.1 PCI Sound Card"( http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Sound+Cards/Asus+Xonar+D2/PM+7.1+PCI+Sound+Card+?productId=39544 ) ... at half the price of the HDAV1 this soundcard is remarkebly good and has all you would need for a home studio

and more importantly it has the required digital input and outputs both with Coaxial and High-bandwidth Optical Combo Connectors.... theres also 4 anologue outputs (Front/Side/Center-Subwoofer/Back) and 2 anologue inputs (Line-In/Mic-In) ...so taking this into consideration the Asus Xonar D2/PM is probally the best choice.. and costing just £89.29 inc. VAT it represents excellent value

i hope this helps,any problems let me know

good luck joe !

Answer 2

you will choose for a shopper-friendly audio interface, microphone, XLR cable, headphones, motor vehicle-music (optimal in all probability), and a application or synths to make your guy or woman beats. a sturdy undemanding to be conscious application for beats is reason 4, and for recording you ought to be conscious cubase, or logic expert (mac). they're all much less severe priced, particularly in case you acquire them. on your interface i opt to advise a 2 mic enter/midi in and out. The microphone is tough to assert without awareness your funds.

Answer 3

you will pick for a shopper-friendly audio interface, microphone, XLR cable, headphones, motor vehicle-music (optimal probably), and a utility or synths to make your man or woman beats. a stable easy to be conscious utility for beats is reason 4, and for recording you could desire to be conscious cubase, or logic expert (mac). they are all much less extreme priced, quite in case you acquire them. on your interface i desire to advise a 2 mic enter/midi in and out. The microphone isn't basic to declare without awareness your funds.