SoundCards - what is the best of best

[Gabriel Sousa]

http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif the best of best http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif

I would like what is the best soundcard
for studio recording.
I woul like to know your opinions, what is your favorite, what you use.

Aardvark - Direct Pro Q10
Echo - Layla 24
Echo - Mona
Edirol - DA 2496
M.Audio - Delta 1010
Motu - 828
Motu - 2408 mk3
PreSonus - FIREstation
ST Audio - DSP2000 C-Port
Digidesign - Digi 001
Terratec - EWS MIC8
Terratec - EWS 88 MT

[bibleboy3]

Hi,
for the price you can't beat the c-port

[howie15]

2 words:
Compatability Issues

Do you have a Mac or PC?? some are more friendly with one or the other.
howie

[Gabriel Sousa]

I have a PC

[slaves666]

The RME hammerfall is by far the best card for the PC market. As for Mac, get a Motu. Driver support is the most important and your choice of software is as well. The RME with Nuendo/SX is a good place to start.

[Michael Quayle]

I would steer away from sweeping statements until you give us more of an idea of what your requirements are for the card. Do you need analogue or digital i/o? How many tracks do you need to be able to record at once? Do you require a pci interface, or something with a usb or firewire connection to use with a laptop? Until we know all these things it is pretty pointless making any suggestions. Until then all you will here are peoples favourites, which may or may not be ideal for you. For example, it's true that the Hammerfall is indeed a fantastic card - as long as it is digital connection you require. Others may say the Aardvark Q10 has the best converters out there, but others will tell you how bad their experience has been with that interfaces drivers. Give us more of an idea of what you want to do and we will be better equipped to make constructive suggestions.

[Gabriel Sousa]

Michael Quayle, i need to record 7 or 8 tracks at the same time, could be pci or firewire, "Do you need analogue or digital i/o?" i wanna be best, i think is better to the pc recive digital information right ?

thanks

[Synctr]

"The RME hammerfall is by far the best card for the PC market"...?

I think you'llfind Lynx Two's specs & reviews do considerably outperform the RME cards....& PT new HD system is also the top of the range in the mac market at the minnit...as stated: be careful with sweeping remarks...(duh, ...like mine)

-CT

[knowdoubt]

Originally posted by Gabriel Sousa:
i think is better to the pc recive digital information right ?

thanks

You have to interface the digital world to analog at some point with A/D/ & D/A converters. If not directly at the PC sound card then somewhere further up the line such as at a digital mixing console or ADAT. It makes no difference to the PC where. It only makes a difference to you as to what type of work environment & setup you want to deal with. You've obviousely got a lot of thinking & studying to do on that aspect & all the possibilities before even asking this question. You've got to sort out your intended work environment & the necessary i/o's needed to match it & post that nfo before any of this is relevant, otherwise your just pulling everyones chain including your own.