sound cards

[Oakleaf]

what's the best computer sound card for recording and what not? any help is welcome!

tyler

[GtrvVampyre]

Of course the most expensive sound card will probably wield the best results (Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS). But i had a buddy of mine who got it (not really posotive on these things cause i have a sound blaster live) But his had its own spot like a CDrom drive size. With all the controls and a place to plug your guitar in directly without another converter and the audigy is a 24 bit sound instead of a 16 so i assume it not only playingback more clear but would record much better too. It depends on how much money you have burning a hole in your pocket but if you ask me, iv never used anything but Sound Blaster sound cards.

Check variations though, the system my friend had was an audigy, im not sure what it all comes with so make sure you know what your buying. I just know he put alot of money into it and he had a hell of a sound system. Damn guy didnt even use 1/10th of the stuff on it, i believe it had midi in/out and everything, would be perfect for my keyboard and guitar -.-....

[Bizarro]

If you want to do recording, buy a card that is designed for recording. SoundBlaster cards are ok, but they're for games and such, not home recording. M-Audio makes some of the most popular and not too expensive cards.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040731205849067160088087571694/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/701341/

You should check out some home recording forums. (not here)

[GtrvVampyre]

I do just fine with my soundblaster recording and yeah, they are mainly games too but hey, its the 2 things i do! Game and play guitar so i guess soundblaster is more for me? ^.^.. I still think the Audigy's rock, they are like little stereos. Even comes with a mixer in it and a remote control i believe. But yeah im sure theres better cards out there made JUST for high quality recording.

[Cuno]

I'm with Bizarro - buy a soundcard designed for recording. You can game with them too. M-Audio make very good affordable stuff, i'm looking into buying the Ozone. Audiophile 2496 is popular. ESI Juli@ seems a good alround choice, has support for 5.1 too in case you use your computer in a home video setting. Audiotrak makes more low-budget (still probably sound a lot better than soundblaster). Digidesign are de-facto standard in studios.

The options are endless...

Some questions:
Minimum # channels in/out?
Do you need 5.1, 6.1?
Mac and/or PC/Win?
Budget?

[szulc]

I use my Soundblaster for playing samples (usually strings) and I also use it for mastering my recordings (VSR880 > spdif > Sound Forge > CD). For this it works well, but it is not very useful as a multitrack studio. I am going to get a cdrw unit for the VSR soon then the PC part of this will be unnecessary. You can buy a used VSR or VS880 on ebay for about the same price as a Soundblaster Audigy II Platinum. I payed $250 for my VSR, I did have to pay another $175 for the efx board though.
The VS880 EFX boards are cheaper.
With the EFX board you can plug a guitar straight in and get killer sounds, amp simulations and such also just about every reverb or delay effect you could want.

[Bizarro]

Something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41479&item=3738869974&rd=1
and this one has the expander card?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41479&item=3739167680&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[Rented]

Well, I've tried a few throughout the years (not M-Audio though) and I say go for an RME card (http://www.rme-audio.com/english/index.htm). They are not for gaming, but they are absolutely fantastic for recording/playback.

[Koala]

Take a look at the MOTU and Aardvark models available, some of them wont hurt your wallet that much and will provide you with great quality.