looking for the right soundcard for me

[Sound advice]

Hi, i'm looking to get a soundcard for music production, but i'm not sure yet which would be the best for me, or which options might be standard with cards but that maybe they don't mention in the specs, such as software monitoring or multiple track record at once and stuff like that.

here is a list of really what i would need and like.

Software monitoring.

xlr phantom power

i need to plug guitars into it (1/4 inch).

i need to plug midi into it,

it's for a laptop.

it can't be pro tools compatible brand since apparently ACER laptops aren't compatible with pro tools and/or their peripherlals. so basically, afaik not digidesign nor m-audio, but i think other brands should be compatible though i have not researched it yet.

I'd prefer it be USB rather than firewire, although i don't really understand what the advantages of firewire could be.

I would like to be able to record at least two tracks at once.

being bundled with DAW software is a definite plus.


apart from that, unless there are other useful features i'm not thinking of that i would want, the cheaper the better.

[AndyH]

Any soundcard, aside from some laptop built-ins, can record at least two tracks at once. The recording software will determine whether a two track card can record two independent (mono) tracks or only one stereo track. For multi-input cards, (probably) all multi-track recording programs will address them independently.

USB 1is cheaper but also more limited, having not a great deal of bandwidth. USB 2 and Firewire are generally roughly equal, but the greater number of inputs are most often found on firewire cards. Many firewire cards will only work properly when used with a compatible firewire chipset (see manufacturer’s website).

Software monitoring is strictly a function of the recording software. USB and firewire (i.e. external soundcards) usually have direct input monitoring, but this tends to be more limiting than is fully satisfactory. You will most likely want software monitoring.

The several soundcards I’ve purchased over the years were bundled only with trial and limited function versions of the included programs (aside from the manufacturer’s driver and control panel package). I’ve found none of it very interesting. No doubt there are exceptions.

Inexpensive is purely subjective. The Emu 0404 USB is a good offering for its price and meets all your hardware specifications.

[TimOBrien]

Here's a good guide and tested suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

[Sound advice]

thanks for all the responses so far.

Tim, that link you posted is really gold. i'm still not completely decided on which soundcard i'm going to get, but i'm really so much more informed now. thanks. there was really alot in there i was glad to know.

the only downer for me though now that i've read that, is that i wanted to do all of this with my laptop which is an ACER inspire, which i have already learned is not compatible with pro tools peripherals, neither USB nor Firewire, which i imagine is a driver issue. I'm just not too sure about how then i could expect my laptop to perform with other cards. but it greatly exceeds the sys requirements on presonus' audiobox page.

I think i'll go USB 2.0 though since i would need to get an extra firewire card, and i don't really need too many inputs.

i think so far, this card http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=53 Presonus Audiobox is where i'm leaning. it's cheaper. i don't think i'll need more than 2 inputs, and it comes bundled with cubase so the drivers must be specifically cubase friendly. unless maybe maybe there might be something i missed about it that might suggest i look elsewhere.

but there are still some thingsi wonder about it, like there is no HI-Z switch, and yet two dual xlr/TRS unbalanced inputs. which i don't understand because i thought that switch was to assign an input to switch between the two.

and i'm not sure what impedance is. is it basically weakening of signal, therefore if you want it louder you must also increase the background noise (hopefully there won't be much)? and what kind of values should i look for?

I'm not looking for full fledged beautiful amazing sound, but i'd like for it to be clean enough. I'm really not sure what to expect in terms of background noise with the setup i would have, but what i know i really don't want it to be, is if i went into say adobe audition and remove background noise function sampling a supposed silent portion and then i notice clearly by replaying the sample that it was modified, then that was too much background noise. ideally i would never even bother with this step, this is what i'm hoping for, and i think as long as i have that, i'm good.

but bare in mind i haven't heard the differences for myself yet, so i'm not sure about that.

i'm also not sure whether this card has dual preamps, and i noticed that preamps seem to be numbered in relation to number of inputs, but maybe this sounds retarded to people who knows exactly how they work, but i'm not sure if you need one preamp per input or if it's more of a luxury thing.

and like on a scale of 1-10, 1 being absolute necessity and 10 being complete luxury where would having dedicated preamps for every input fall? if this is indeed optional. or how easily i would notice the difference and what it would be that i would notice if i did.

anyways, thanks again guys.

[TimOBrien]

Oh, you want to run ProTools.

Protools uses their 'approved' audio interfaces as copy protection dongles.

If you want to run Protools, you MUST use Digidesign-approved devices. Case closed.
Go to their website and they have a list as to what you MUST run....

(Personally, I'd never run a program that locks you into specific hardware and Protools has no 'magic' sound that makes it any better than any other sequencers, but if that is YOUR personal preference, fine. Just be aware that you are locked into the Digidesign mandated system.)

[ecc83]

Tim,
I could be wrong but I read the OP a different way.

I think he thinks M-Audio gear HAS to be used with Pro Tools? If so, not so!

I run 2x 2496 and a Fast track pro with Samplitude and Cubase and shedloads of demos I have tinkered with. Nary a problem.

The Presonus Audiobox does have High Z inputs, 0.5megOhm jobbies.
Not your magic 1mOhm (which is myth anyway) but twice the Z of most passive DI boxes.

But my vote also goes to the 0404 usb for a 2input AI and the Tascam 1641 for a multi input usb interface.
Dave.

[Sound advice]

I was originally going to get pro tools useable hardware and then make my decision on which DAW to get. I like the way pro tools organizes midi editing. what i don't like is i would need a special version of reason.

but that doesn't matter for me, because i figured out that ACER laptops and pro tools hardware peripherals are not compatible. so i can't get pro tools even if i wanted, which is not such a big deal really.

I think for DAWs though i'm going to go with cubase, kind of sillily enough, only because i can get video tutorials for free which will let me use more of the potential of the program right off the bat. other than that sonar 8 and cubase seemed quite similar to me. though i'm still not completely decided on this one.


I'd like to know what cubase LE is exactly though also, is it a watered down version? and if so how is it watered down?




the 0404? what do you like about that card specifically?

i think i'm going to have to do a specs comparison with my finalists.

i was thinking presonus because it comes bundled with cubase so i was thinking the drivers might work better with cubase.

one thing i noticed is the 0404 one has spdif which the presonus one doesn't. but for me, that's not really an issue. I don't really see myself using those I don't think.


but one thing that kind of bothers me about it is that i'd be using it with a laptop so i might want to carry it around with me. i'm not sure really how often i'd be taking my soundcard around with me, but the 0404 card has buttons on top that stick out which looks less good for portability to me. the presonus looks more rugged. but i won't be travelling all the time, and i could probably find a way to pack it safe if really it has other advantages i'd much prefer.

The tascam one looks a little too big for me. i definitely won't need that many outputs. i'm thinking more in the 2-6 range or something. but since 2 is cheaper that's probably what i'd end up with.

[ecc83]

"the 0404? what do you like about that card specifically?"

There is an Emu 0404 card (and very good it is said to be) but I was referring to the usb 2.0 interface (bit silly of them really to use the same numbers, should have called it Fred). Good about it?..........

Only read reviews but:
1) Very good converters and hence high quality sound especially given the price.
2) Very good mic pre amps, clean, low noise good gain level. This bodes well for dynamics like the ubiquitous 57/58's.
3) Has ground lift switches. These are almost mandatory if you want to run an AI with a mains powered laptop.

The interface has been on the market for a year or two now and I for one have never read an adverse comment......But!

What ever AI you go for get a rock solid, in writing returns/refund agreement. If you should go Fussywire (and I don't advise it in this case) get it written in blood!

Dave.

[ecc83]

Sorry,
Forgot about Cubase!

You can Google for a chart, put in "Cubase comparasons" or similar, boggle brain tho'! LE is the whale ***t version but I believe you can still run a lot of audio tracks and 48MIDI tracks comes to mind.

There is almost certainly an upgrade path from LE and I think the next DAW up is Essential4 which sells here for £104, upgrade would probably be half that.
We have E4 and find it far more powerful than SE3, our previous Cubase. I doubt there is much you will feel cheated by the lack of in E4.

BTW. Does anyone know if LE comes with the LM7 drum synth?

Dave.

[ecc83]

Only mee..again!

I have tracked down the guy I convinced to buy an 0404usb and asked him to report back.

I will let you know ASAP if it is total pants and I am being sue'd!

Dave.

[ecc83]

The chap has reported back that he is over the proverbial moon with the 0404!

In fact he says his sound quality is now so much improved that it is showing up shortcomings in his monitors! This I am afraid is the nature of the audio beast, continous upgrade, at least until you reach a level you (or the bank!) are happy with. But YOU started on this game! Nobody forced you! Ha! Ha!

All the very best,
Dave.