New here, looking for soundcard advice.

[PhoenixOSU]

I'm looking for a good (very good) sound card that will be used in some recording (I play guitar), mixing, and output to amp, and standard amplified speaker systems. Surround sound options, 5.1 or better. And I am a fan of analog; if I have to use digital I prefer very high sample rates. I'm willing to spend three figures on it. I know SoundBlaster is good for gaming, but I want something geared to better quality and versatility in recording as well as output of good strong signal to an amp or speaker system.

-Shaun

 

[Cyclone]

Chaintech AV-710. 25 bucks for everything you wanted.

 

[lordgibbness]

If you want a very high quality card geared towards recording i'd go for the EMU 1212m or the ESI Juli@ or the M-Audio Audiophile 192. They are all very good, with the Juli@ offering both RCA and TRS connections.

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone Chaintech AV-710. 25 bucks for everything you wanted.

Not for recording, the S/N apparently isn't very good. (A typical problem of cards based on codecs geared towards onboard sound use, and the VT1616 is such an animal.) Besides, the AV-710 is a good budget card but if someone wants to spend more, far better cards are available (as those mentioned by lordgibbness, which are the obvious choices in the $100-200 range).

 

[tofu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordgibbness If you want a very high quality card geared towards recording i'd go for the EMU 1212m or the ESI Juli@ or the M-Audio Audiophile 192. They are all very good, with the Juli@ offering both RCA and TRS connections.

is there any difference between the revo 5.1 and audiophile 192 (playback quality wise)? they both use the same DAC

 

[lordgibbness]

I have actually been wondering that myself - both the Juli@ and 192 use the same DAC (AKM 4358). Not sure, as I have not heard them though. On a side note the revo 5.1 sounds good!

 

[tofu]

ah, i'm trying to get a straight answer on that beacuse it's the only thing making me want to choose the 1212 over the 192. i don't want to spend extra money for recording feature i don't need if the revo5.1 sounds the same as the 192.

 

[lordgibbness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofu ah, i'm trying to get a straight answer on that beacuse it's the only thing making me want to choose the 1212 over the 192. i don't want to spend extra money for recording feature i don't need if the revo5.1 sounds the same as the 192.

I imagine (but I do not know) that the 1212m would be the best sounding card of all of those - but the differences would be pretty small. It has a high qual DAC but I hate the sound of that patchmix software (having to change sessions every time you play a different samplerate etc). Also, the Juli@ has RCA outputs which would be nicer for most people. I think the Juli@ is the cheapest of the three, but yes, if it sounded the same as the Revo 5.1, then there wouldn't be much point spending much more. Although if it's recording you're after and they will do that better for sure. And it's not only down the the DAC how good a card will sound, but on board layout and converters, opamps etc...

 

[tofu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordgibbness I imagine (but I do not know) that the 1212m would be the best sounding card of all of those - but the differences would be pretty small. It has a high qual DAC but I hate the sound of that patchmix software (having to change sessions every time you play a different samplerate etc). Also, the Juli@ has RCA outputs which would be nicer for most people. I think the Juli@ is the cheapest of the three, but yes, if it sounded the same as the Revo 5.1, then there wouldn't be much point spending much more. Although if it's recording you're after and they will do that better for sure. And it's not only down the the DAC how good a card will sound, but on board layout and converters, opamps etc...

well i'm generally looking for the warmer sounding card between the two. generally, warmer equipment mates better with my horn loaded speakers (la scalas).

perhaps i should try that tube DAC by ART.

oh well, either one should be a dramatic step up from my integreated cmedia audio

 

[halcyon]

Do you want balanced inputs?

Do you need preamps for mic or guitar input?

How much gain do you need?

How crucial is the preamp gain quality (demo only or good enough to use in the final mix)?

How many simultaneous inputs you need to record (analog and digital)?

How many simultaneous outputs do you need (analog and digital)?

Stereo only output or multichannel?

Will you use it for games at all (stereo, headphones or multichannel audio)?

Do you want to use it in a home-theater setup (i.e. pass-through AC3/DTS)?

What kind of latency requirements do you have for mixing / monitoring?

What is your budget?


If you just want a decent guitar/mic preamp with selectable gain, no effects and clipping indicators, try Presonus Firebox (outboard firewire card).

If you want a more full featured box with more channels, DSP for running effects in real-time, etc. then the new Focusrite Saffire looks insteresting. Also firewire.

Both in the $350-400USD range.

 

[unfortunateson]

I'd suggest the EMU0404, very high quality sound, Analog ins/outs, Optical and Coax ins/outs, MIDI in/out, 192khz/24bit recording via 4 mono channels (2 analog + 2 SPDIF). $100 bucks.

Edit: It doesn't have multichannel analog outs, only digital.

 

[lordgibbness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofu well i'm generally looking for the warmer sounding card between the two. generally, warmer equipment mates better with my horn loaded speakers (la scalas). perhaps i should try that tube DAC by ART. oh well, either one should be a dramatic step up from my integreated cmedia audio

From all the reviews that I have read the EMU cards, albeit very good, are not in any way warm sounding. I think the Juli@ or Audiophile192 would fit the bill.

 

[tofu]

ah, i guess audiophile 192 it is. i'll just have to live in ignorant bliss and make sure i never hear the revo5.1 (in order to make sure i'm not dissapointed by them sounding the same!)

 

[PhoenixOSU]

*eyebrow up* Need to turn on email notification. I will be using it to record what I play on the guitar, but I know that there is much better recording equipment out there that is made specifically for that purpose. I also want it to be able to work with whatever I hock it up to, I have been known to take vinyl and record it to CD, that killed my Audigy, thus I now loath Creative. I like to record in WAV, as close to a true analog signal as I can get it, then I can mess with it to get it sounding as good as I can before putting it onto a CD. And for playback, I simply want to be able to use just about anything with it, and still get a strong signal to the speakers, clear and with a full range. Sometimes I break down and use headphones out of respect for family members and dorm mates. (the dorm thing is why I don't want to get a full system, space is conserved by having a lot of the equipment in my PC which is also my TV.) I am willing to spend up to $250 on a sound card, maybe a little over. Since I'm obviously a newbie to serious audio (what a shocker) I'll have to trust you guys to direct me at first.

-Shaun

 

[ilovesocks]

M-Audio's Firewire Solo is made especially for recording guitar, actually. You can get one brand-new on eBay for about $200.