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Sound card.

post #1 of 9
1/9/12 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 

So I am thinking of getting the ASUS Xonar Essence STX along with either the Denon D2000's or Ultrasone HFI780 (still undecided, although I'm learning towards the Denons because I'd prefer a nice acoustic sound when creating music). Just a few noob questions regarding this setup. 

 

I noticed the headphones in jack is a 1/4" port, and it has a line in. Does that mean that (for example) I could plug my bass guitar into my computer and somehow directly record (or do I need a mixer for that)? Also, the SPDIF out is for a coaxial cable right? My speakers can do either the optical version or the coaxial version (I know they are both optical but I'm not sure how to differentiate the names, one is a square shaped cable you know what I mean!) but I am currently using the optical cable, so I'll need to buy a coaxial cable for my speakers but that's not a big deal (unless I can run them through the sound card via plugging them directly into the motherboard??).

 

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post #2 of 9
1/9/12 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kreyn View Post

So I am thinking of getting the ASUS Xonar Essence STX along with either the Denon D2000's or Ultrasone HFI780 (still undecided, although I'm learning towards the Denons because I'd prefer a nice acoustic sound when creating music). Just a few noob questions regarding this setup. 

 

I noticed the headphones in jack is a 1/4" port, and it has a line in. Does that mean that (for example) I could plug my bass guitar into my computer and somehow directly record (or do I need a mixer for that)? Also, the SPDIF out is for a coaxial cable right? My speakers can do either the optical version or the coaxial version (I know they are both optical but I'm not sure how to differentiate the names, one is a square shaped cable you know what I mean!) but I am currently using the optical cable, so I'll need to buy a coaxial cable for my speakers but that's not a big deal (unless I can run them through the sound card via plugging them directly into the motherboard??).

 


The recording I don't know about, I have never tried it. And you can use either cable. The STX comes with an adapter to allow you to connect the optical cable. Its the black thing in the plastic bag.

 

imageview.php?image=16444

 

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post #3 of 9
1/9/12 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 

Awesome, those cables can get a bit expensive lol. It would be pretty awesome if I could record straight from my bass guitar, it would be preferable to doing the bass lines on a midi keyboard lol. My main instrument is piano, so I have no problem with midi keyboards, but bass lines are meant to be played on a bass :p. 


Edited by Kreyn - 1/9/12 at 2:57pm
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post #4 of 9
1/9/12 at 3:31pm
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreyn View Post
 

I noticed the headphones in jack is a 1/4" port, and it has a line in. Does that mean that (for example) I could plug my bass guitar into my computer and somehow directly record (or do I need a mixer for that)?

 

Yes, of course you can record with the sound card, and monitor the line input as well.

 


Edited by stv014 - 1/9/12 at 3:36pm
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post #5 of 9
1/9/12 at 3:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by stv014 View Post

 

Yes, of course you can record with the sound card, and monitor the line input as well.

 



Pro. Now I wanna get a nice Roland Electric piano, or a Yamaha motif... can't decide!

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post #6 of 9
1/10/12 at 4:09am
Thread Starter 

Because it's a microphone in though, does that mean I can only use a microphone with it? 

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post #7 of 9
1/10/12 at 4:27am

The same jack functions as either a line or microphone input, depending on what you select in the mixer. I guess the microphone mode differs by amplifying the input, and maybe adding phantom power. There is also the option of using a front panel microphone input, but this is not really recommended, since the front panel connectors are noisier.

 


Edited by stv014 - 1/10/12 at 4:28am
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post #8 of 9
1/10/12 at 6:04am

Please note that a guitar's output is not compatible with a mic or a line input; you need a separate amp for that.

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post #9 of 9
1/10/12 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cladisch View Post

Please note that a guitar's output is not compatible with a mic or a line input; you need a separate amp for that.



Hmm I suspected as much. 

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