[ivwshane]

I'm building a computer for a friend who plans to use it for creating music (wants to be a professional but not there) and I want to set him up with a system that will allow him to grow and use various tools/instruments.


The only card that I can think of that is semi pro is the sound blaster audigy 2 ex but I have a feeling that that card is on the low-mid range when it comes to professional use.


Anyone have recomendations or links to sites that would point me in the right direction?


Thanks!

 

[Ethan Winer]

Shane,


> I have a feeling that that card is on the low-mid range

 

[ivwshane]

Sweet! thanks!


I was looking at m-audio's stuff but I didn't really know what I was looking at.


One thing I did notice on m-audio's site is that they stressed alot of their drivers had low latency. It sounded important



So would you choose an audigy 2 ex over a 2496? Remember my friend is just getting into this so he needs something versatile (not meaning gaming use). Basically a card that will get him through the learning stages and enough to get him to produce an album After that if he needs more I'm sure he will buy something more high end.

 

[tsteves]

M-audio and other music oriented sound cards are better for musicians. Check for low latency asio drivers and compatibilty with good music oriented programs. There are also usb and firewire "interfaces" for audio and/or midi. It depends where your friend wants to go with it.

 

[ivwshane]

Not being in the music biz it's hard to know what exactly to ask

 

[Ethan Winer]

Shane,


> Not being in the music biz it's hard to know what exactly to ask

 

[ivwshane]

I would have him stop by but he's not much of a forum person nor does he currently own a computer.

 

[tsteves]

Does he play an instrument?

 

[ivwshane]

Quote:

Originally posted by tsteves Does he play an instrument?

No but he did say he will be getting a mixer. I'm thinking he does rap or hip hop type music.

 

[tsteves]

Hmmm. So maybe he should get a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 like Ethan said. He may not need a lot of I/O with a mixer. Especially if he's just getting started.

 

[Bigus]

 www.homerecording.com


A GREAT forum there that is more oriented towards the subject your friend needs help with.


BTW, the m-audio audiopile 2496 would have been my first suggestion as well not knowing more about specific usage. Fairly flexible and very capable card.

 

[tsteves]

Harmony central could also be helpful:
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/index.php

 

[Daphoid]

I have a M-Audio Revolution 7.1, it's a little step down from the 2496, but I

 

[ivwshane]

Thanks for the info guys!! I'll take a look at those forums. It sounds like the 2496 m-audio card is the way to go.


Thanks again!

 

[knutinh]

I have that card and am very pleased.



There really is only a few important questions when buying semi pro sound cards:


Does he need a large number of simultaneous audio input and outputs? Those that need this are typically more "traditional" studios who want to record a band with maybe 10 microphone channels and some line-level signals at once, then possibly mixing the recording externally in a analog or digital hardware mixer. This mostly means a expensive multi-channel card.



Most users are basement-fiddlers who mainly do midi and one-track-at-a-time vocal/guitar/bass recordings. In this case, stereo analog/digital i/o of high quality is typically sufficient.


If you want to use software-based synthesizers (hooking up a midi keyboard and letting the computer generate sounds), you will want a card with low latency, below 10ms and stable drivers for the important programs.


All in all, I think the audiophile is the right card for most newbie musicians, and about the same price as a creative audigy that I would not recommend to musicians simply because musicians are not their target.



regards

Knut Inge

 

[Abeyta]

Also, Check out Digidesigns "Pro Tools" stuff. They have packages ranging from entry level to the big boys. I have been using for their stuff for years. digidesign.com


Good Luck.


Derrick

 

[ivwshane]

Sorry to bring this thread back up but I just read a review of creatives new pro cards.


Reading the specs and the results were like reading chinese. What do you guys think of them and at that price?

http://www.tomshardware.com/video/20040611/index.html

 

[knutinh]

I dont think tomshardware is the best source for reviews of pro audio cards.


Check out future music magazine or something


regards

K

 

[Ethan Winer]

Knut,


> I dont think tomshardware is the best source for reviews of pro audio cards.