[nadavnaz]

I'm getting a new PC, and would like a good sound card to listen through to my music (through my etymotic er-6i's, I wouldn't hear a difference through my cheap speakers anyway) and to record my guitar/vocals through.

I'd like it to have 7.1\5.1 options, even though I don't see it coming, i want to have the option. I'd like SPDIF input (for my guitar multi effect that I'll be recording through), and an above-onboard-quality line in/mic recording quality.

It's my first non-onboard sound card, so I really don't understand much. I'd love some guidance though.

About the price, I live in Israel so it's a different deal. So, not something over the top.


I'm sorry if this is a completely pointless thread to you, but I'm real real new in the sound card area so I really need your help.

 

[TheVinylRipper]

For a starter setup how about a Turtle Beach Montego? It has everything you asked for and can be had for fairly cheap.

Look it over and get the specs here:

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/.../indetail.aspx

You can get Vista drivers from the Turtle Beach website.

Buy it here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829118109

 

[nadavnaz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylRipper /img/forum/go_quote.gif For a starter setup how about a Turtle Beach Montego? It has everything you asked for and can be had for fairly cheap. Look it over and get the specs here: http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/.../indetail.aspx You can get Vista drivers from the Turtle Beach website. Buy it here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829118109

How'd it compete with creative products (x-fi at different prices, when I said not overpriced I didn't necessarily mean under 100$... I'm not that limited. for my cause? (Which would be better for line in/spdif recording and which would eventually sound better?)


and how would it compare to the onboard audio card that I'm getting with my motherboard?

http://www.giga-byte.com.tw/Products...me=GA-P35-DS3R

 

[A1095]

Have you looked into the M-Audio cards.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...on51-main.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...on71-main.html

Buy Here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829121122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...TC-d3alcatch3r

 

[A1095]

One caution with these cards is support for Windows Vista. I believe only beta drivers are available at this point for Vista. XP no problem.

I don't believe the Turtle Beach card supports Vista 64 either.

 

[nadavnaz]

I won't be upgrading to vista until one year from now.

And again, how do both the cards compete with creative cards?

 

[TheVinylRipper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadavnaz /img/forum/go_quote.gif How'd it compete with creative products (x-fi at different prices, when I said not overpriced I didn't necessarily mean under 100$... I'm not that limited. for my cause? (Which would be better for line in/spdif recording and which would eventually sound better?) and how would it compare to the onboard audio card that I'm getting with my motherboard? http://www.giga-byte.com.tw/Products...me=GA-P35-DS3R

It looks like the onboard card is pretty good, 106 dB of dynamic range.. There is no mention of the mic or line input specs though.

I don't see any mention of spdif on your mobo specs, I suspect it probably lacks that function.

I've heard it put this way before: Do you want your audio reproduced by something with the word "blaster" in the title?

Seriously, the Soundblaster cards don't get much respect here.

How much are you comfortable spending? And are you thinking of a home recording studio type setup?

Maybe the EMU 1212 M might fit your specs?

http://www.emu.com/products/product....1&product=9872

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829110015

 

[nadavnaz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylRipper /img/forum/go_quote.gif It looks like the onboard card is pretty good, 106 dB of dynamic range.. There is no mention of the mic or line input specs though. I don't see any mention of spdif on your mobo specs, I suspect it probably lacks that function. I've heard it put this way before: Do you want your audio reproduced by something with the word "blaster" in the title? Seriously, the Soundblaster cards don't get much respect here. How much are you comfortable spending? And are you thinking of a home recording studio type setup? Maybe the EMU 1212 M might fit your specs? http://www.emu.com/products/product....1&product=9872 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829110015

I wasn't reffering to sound blaster cards... I'm more in the direction of the x-fi.


I'd just like SPDIF in options, an exeptable line in (to record through my guitar multi effect,boss GT-6), and good sound output quality.

(I need coaxial spdif)

The e-mu cards seem like a good choice for audio recording, but I'd really like to have good listening (through iem/full size cans, maybe speakers) capabilities that surpass my onboard card. I don't know, maybe the onboard card on my gigabyte really is worth something?

The onboard actually does have SPDIF in but I doubt it to even work :erk:


Edit: the emu cards seems like a great choice. MIDI in/out is essential, my multi effect communicates through that. I don't think the emu is 7.1 but I'm not planning on that for now... If the emu card is good for music listening causes as well it seems like a great choice. (though it has 1/4inch audio outputs, not good for usual headphones, good for guitar recording)

 

[TheVinylRipper]

Headphone adapters from 1/4 to 3.5mm are readily available and very cheap.

Your mobo has 7.1 built in so that shouldn't be a problem.

The 1212 has excellent specs on the analog outs, 120 db of dynamic range an 20hz to 20khz +/- .05 db.

It also has both coaxial and optical ins and outs.

http://www.emu.com/products/product....Specifications

 

[nadavnaz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVinylRipper /img/forum/go_quote.gif Headphone adapters from 1/4 to 3.5mm are readily available and very cheap. Your mobo has 7.1 built in so that shouldn't be a problem. The 1212 has excellent specs on the analog outs, 120 db of dynamic range an 20hz to 20khz +/- .05 db. It also has both coaxial and optical ins and outs. http://www.emu.com/products/product....Specifications

The specs are indeed impressive, but as many products action speaks louder then words...If anybody has this card personally and can tell me about it I'll be very happy...

I'll read about the emu 1212 for a bit, I guess that good line in+good sound quality+ 7.1 support doesn't go hand in hand at these prices... So if someday I'll go 7.1 my on board sound card will do the work (though I doubt it's any good...)


How's the 0404 compared? I can't really tell many differences between them beside the conection method..

in a review they say the 0404 has an "Unbalanced" I/O... I don't exactly understand what that means..


Thanks! Nadav