The Steel Guitar Forum

My PC came with the standard sound card with 1/8 input. I have had what I feel is great success with the sound it gives. I want to use the Samplitude multitrack recording program and want to get an optical in and maybe 1/4 inputs. Anyone give me directions on what sound card I should buy? Thanks!

Get a Soundblaster Audigy Platinum with the Live drive. Live drive is a 5 1/4 inch unit that fits in a 5 1/4 slot in the front of your computer, same as a CD-rom. All controls are in the drive, including 1/4", DIN and RCA inputs. Also a 1/4" headphone out.

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Rebel™
ICQ 614585

http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html

There's an Audigy 2 Platinum ($199 in my local store), which gives you 24-bit sampling and would probably do nicely. If you want more inputs/outputs, you should check out the MAudio (Midiman) Delta range of cards. The Delta 66 has eight in and eight out on a breakout box. The advantage of the breakout box is that you don't need the 5 1/2 bay on your workstation, which you'd need for the Audigy Platinum. Most desktops today have their 5 1/2 bays packed with CD-RWs, DVD drives, etc. There's a little brother (the Delta 44) and a big brother (Delta 1010). Good luck!

If you are leaning more towards a more professional sound, stay away from adding cards to the PC that do A/D conversion on the card. To optimize recording you want the A/D converter external to the PC. So look for cards that have either an optical interface, firewire, or a USB interface. USB is a little cheaper to start with.
For example http://www.midiman.net/products/m-audio/duo.php

or the MBOX http://www.digidesign.com/

Fiberlinks or firewire links are good too.

Make sure your software is supported by the card you want - call the company.

Check www.harmonycentral.com for cards

I use frontier designs, but it's more expensive than the typical 'soundblaster' type cards.

MOTU is good, 2408 mkiii http://www.motu.com/

Of course depends on you goals and budget.

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.seldomfed.com