for true audiophiles... what is a good sound card??

[zskillz]

I'm just getting into this sort of stuff, and was bummed to find that my sblive card is basically about as bad of a card as you can have when you're interested in recording and mixing your own stuff...

I was curious what some of you that use this sort of stuff use since i'm considering buying a real sound card.

thx
-Z

[Cody]

What makes you think the SBLive! is so bad?

[Sixpac]

This is a very good card and break out box:

http://www.gamersdepot.com/hardware/sound_cards/hercules/game_theater_xp/front.jpg
http://www.gamersdepot.com/hardware/sound_cards/hercules/game_theater_xp/back.jpg


http://www.riva3d.com/xp/

A review of it:
http://www.gamersdepot.com/hardware/sound_cards/hercules/game_theater_xp/001.htm

Sixpac>>>>

[This message has been edited by Sixpac (edited 07-25-2001).]

Please, no hot-linking images. -Socalgal

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 07-27-2001).]

[Roy]

I use the Ego Systems WaveTerminal WT2496.

It provides 32 bit internal processing and 24 bit / 96 kHz encoding.

You can find it's manual here (http://www.egosys.net/eng/download/manual/wt2496manual.htm) . And more information here (http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.THKEGOWT21) .

[jad1097]

The SB live is really not a great card, it has some latency problems, drivers use the registry like a database (takes up a couple of MB's!), SB16 Emulation can cause problems, IRQ conflicts, crackling problems, digital I/O problems, plus more problems. Too many people just have too many problems with these cards. Not everyone has these problems but a lot of people do. Oh, and it is only a 16bit sound card.


Every musician should know about this site. http://www.harmony-central.com/

Good info on sound cards here. http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/

Lots of good tips for the SB are here. http://alive.singnet.com.sg/

I will not buy another one that's for sure! I may get a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.


[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 07-25-2001).]

[Warthog]

Question:
What makes you think the SBLive! is so bad?
Answer (for the most part):
my sblive card is basically about as bad of a card as you can have when you're interested in recording and mixing your own stuff

Warthog

[This message has been edited by Warthog (edited 07-25-2001).]

[Jake_1]

If you're serious about recording audio the Yamaha DSP Factory is the best by far.

[Virus]

I have also been looking around for a good highend sound card for recording. Has anyone had any experience with Hoontech cards.
http://www.hoontech.com/

All soundblaster cards have been junk as far as sound quality. They are only good for games. I improved my sb live by adding a coaxial digital output. But I still won't use it for recording.

[zskillz]

yoyo....

here's the card that I was lookning at... I think that it's pretty good. can anyone tell me if they see any potential problems w/ this card?

-Z
http://www.audiomidi.com/hardware/aardvark/lx6/

[Roy]

Looks very good! Huge bang for the buck. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[jad1097]

The only problem I see with it is no NT or W2K drivers, "currently in development".

[zskillz]

roy, jad1097

what do you two do for a living??... i'm just curious, because it seems as if you know what you are talking about, but as I'm sure you're aware, it is difficult to sift through who knows what and then decide whether or not to take their advice when it comes to internet interaction http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

thanks all

-Z

[BBA]

Ok, over at www.3dsoundsurge.com (http://www.3dsoundsurge.com) there are forums just for each type of sound card.

It turns out the sound card with the best audio fidelity is the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, barr none. That is why I bought one.

The best part is it is 1/2 the cost of the Hercules GTXP but sounds better ( same chip ).

[zskillz]

and I'm still haveing trouble telling if some of the people who have responded are actually understanding what I mean when I say a "real sound card"...

not for gaming and that sort of stuff... I mean for high quality recording and stuff like that

anyway... just some thoughts

-Z

[BBA]

For more experiences...look at these:

http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?s=e496a1744777fdaf6dec9102e3478066&threadid=7681

http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?s=e496a1744777fdaf6dec9102e3478066&threadid=8206

http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?s=e496a1744777fdaf6dec9102e3478066&threadid=7474

[jad1097]

Zskillz that is why I always try to provide accurate links when possible. What you should do is search for sound card reviews and form your own opinion.

I am an electrician and do mostly control work. Things like PLC’s, robotics, motor controls, HVAC controls, fire alarms, etc.. I also play guitar and did quite a bit of research on sounds cards for recording my stuff. I think I still have a backup of my favorites folder that had the reviews I read. I will check tomorrow.

[4DrRukus]

I like the Creatie Labs.
I have a SBLive! Platinum that i use for recording and composing and I love it!

[Roy]

z ~ I've been in TV sound at ABC-TV for about 36 years. I've had the good fortune of playing in a toyland with some of the best tools and opportunities. I wear many hats ~ Design, Construction, Installation, Maintenance, Operation and Evolution of systems and techniques for sound production.

Now I have the task of converting a huge archive of audiotapes from Music/Comedy/Variety Shows I've mixed into the digital domain for continued preservation and enjoyment. I use the WT2496 and CoolEdit Pro for the project. I chose them for quality and versatility, as well as suitability to my unique needs.

Now you know. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[MTAtech]

The problem with the Hoontech cards is that the are difficult to find. I found it impossible.

Money no object, I would use the Soundblaster live Platinum 5.1. It has a large array of inputs and outputs and surround formats. It won awards too.

[zskillz]

well, I'm getting closer to makeing a purchaes, but still haven't... can anyone tell me if they've heard anything about these two brands (good or bad is helpful)

1. AArdvark
2. M Audio


-Z

btw, thx for the response on what u guys do... I was just curious

[VERT]

Yep the Game Theatre XP is what I'm upgrading to in a couple of weeks, this is a good quaility sound card with an excellent price tag. There are however better sound cards out there, but you have to pay a lot more for them.

[Timbob505]

zskills~
If you are looking into recording and not gaming, I recall an issue of MaximumPC where they reviewed some recording studio cards, the kind with 1/4-inch analog jacks and a digital i/o. If you want to check out their reviews, the article was in the Oct 00 issue. But take a look at the cards they reviewed and see if either of these will suit you or not.

Digital Audio Labs CardDeluxe "8" rating, $600 back in Oct. www.digitalaudio.com (http://www.digitalaudio.com)

Gadget Labs Wave/496 "9" rating and $350 in Oct. www.gadgetlabs.com (http://www.gadgetlabs.com)
Oops, gadgetlabs is out of business, but it looks like they still have some support out, so if you can find one of their cards, it may be worth it.

Well, good luck, let us know what you end up with and what you would recommend to others looking for a more professional sound card.

Timbob