Any heavy PC recording users - best soundcard?

[Guyver1]

hi,

as much as i would normally have just gone out and bought the latest Creative Soundblaster, i've not heard rave stuff when their used for music recording on PC.

any who records regularly recommend some high quality soundcards for the express purpose of recording music direct onto PC HDD.

cheers in advance.

[jackson1]

I can't help but suggest M-Audio's new interface:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProFire2626-main.html

Run with Pro Tools M-Powered you have affordable "high quality".


Yes, I know this isn't the usual $99 USB home interface running Fruity Loops, but the above is a scalable and quite Professional solution.

[åron]

I'll second the M-Audio recommendation. they've been making cards for musicians for a long time and it's a well managed company that stands behind its products.

I'll also recommend RME as another well run company with perhaps a better reputation for quality products and top notch ad conversion.

You can't go too far wrong with anything from most companies these days, but the thing to look for is a proven product with driver support for your motherboard/cpu. Good luck.

[Mordor]

If you need to record more than two track simultaniously (sp?) the new m-audio or a rme fireface like henrik and aron said would be a nice choice. I'm an m-audio user for more than 5 years and I find their products to be a great bang for the buck. A/D converters are good and most important their drivers are constantly up to date.
But if you don't need more than two analog input and if you want top quality converters (ie almost hi-fi recordings) then I suggest you to get an Apogee Duet.
For the cheap route there's always the good old m-audio audiophile. I use it at home and it's a solid piece of gear.

[Guyver1]

cool, i'll check those out, thanks for your advice

[jackson1]

Mordor, welcome back

I also use an M-Audio Transit which is small and cheap, but still delivers. It will also run with Pro Tools M-Powered.

[Shawn Lutz]

M-Audio FireWire 1814 for me and Sonar. Never had a problem with M-Audio stuff

[jackson1]

I have the 1814 as well Great device.

[MOSHWITZ]

I would have to recommend RME also as i use a RME9652.(I need the 24 optical in & outs and 2 midi channels) the reliability is rock solid, 0 latency monitoring , internal mixing and routing,,,pro features all the way. you cannot go wrong with RME,,but your gonna pay for the quality..... as with anything.

I have a couple of the M-audio cards also, and the other guitarist uses the 1010 in his rig, good cards, good sound,, but i needed more for my rig and needs

MOSHON
DAVE

[Mordor]

I have a FW1814 in my studio too.

[Mordor]

Mordor, welcome back

I also use an M-Audio Transit which is small and cheap, but still delivers. It will also run with Pro Tools M-Powered.

Thanks man! I am not up to date with all these new products such as the Profire (which seems to be a kick ass card) and the Transit, pretty small I have to say, seems like the best choice for a quick mobile recording rig. I need to check all the new stuff.

[jackson1]

My mobile setup. The laptop has a built-in M-Audio Transit too. I can mix/record just about anywhere. Here's from a small attick in a garage:

[Mordor]

I love this stuff

[Infernal Death]

I would have to recommend RME also as i use a RME9652.(I need the 24 optical in & outs and 2 midi channels) the reliability is rock solid, 0 latency monitoring , internal mixing and routing,,,pro features all the way. you cannot go wrong with RME,,but your gonna pay for the quality..... as with anything.

MOSHON
DAVE

I also have the RME9652 and as Dave already mentioned it's complete solid. I put it in the computer and that's the last time i saw the card. Never had any problem with it. The only "problem" with this card is that it doesn't have any AD/DA so you need to buy some external converters which further add to the price. I bought a 16 channel AD/DA ADAT converter and it's a piece of cake now to imcorporate my outboard equipment into Cubase. I plan to add another 8 channels so i can have 24 channels for mixing down on a analog board and using the outboard gear on the inserts/auxes of the board.

Flo