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saulhudson · 03-26-2009, 02:13 PM

Hi, I'm looking for a reasonable, (I.E. Not mega bucks) Sound card, preferably with a front panel that will allow me to connect my guitar via XtLive for recording?

I'm going to hopefully eventually use it in the construction/adaption of midi files to create click tracks for our band, as well as record myself from time to time jamming to backing tracks.

It has to be pretty simple to use and of a reasonable quality, my PC runs Vista.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated, as I have no experience in this side of things really.

JOBU · 03-26-2009, 02:41 PM

All you want to know is here:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

saulhudson · 03-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOBU

All you want to know is here:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

WOW...cheers for the quick reply!

JOBU · 03-26-2009, 03:10 PM

No problem, I'm at work.

saulhudson · 03-26-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOBU

No problem, I'm at work.

Nice one...I'm not...LOL

I'm thinking maybe the M-Audio looks like it'd be plenty for what I want to do, you ave any experience with it?

JOBU · 03-26-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saulhudson

I'm thinking maybe the M-Audio looks like it'd be plenty for what I want to do, you ave any experience with it?

No experience with M-audio. But remember to check for compatibility, especially regarded to Vista which is still a relative new OS. Not everything in the software world supports it yet.

ecc83 · 03-26-2009, 08:07 PM

I do have some experience with M-Audio products, very solid drivers as a rule.

Which card are you interested in?

Dave.

saulhudson · 03-26-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecc83

I do have some experience with M-Audio products, very solid drivers as a rule.

Which card are you interested in?

Dave.

haven't a clue, saw a brief review of a really cheap and cheerful one that you conected via USB, but it was only around thirty quid, it did however appear to do enough for what I want, can't remember which it was tho' sorry, do you have any advice?

ecc83 · 03-26-2009, 11:55 PM

Ah! Now see, I thought you meant an INTERNAL soundcard with an external breakout box. A usb "soundcard" is usually refered to as an Audio Interface, but yes, the terms are by no means precise or exclusive. You will find this confusion about terminology rife in this game!

The only usb AI from M-A I have experience of is the Fast track pro and I can thoroughly recommend it. Just one of its features you will like is Hi Z guitar inputs.

They do run about £100 however but you might find one for 30quid on the Bay. They are pretty robust so one should work ok.

You mentioned MIDI and the pro is also a usb MIDI interface with MIDI in and out.

Another M-A option is a pci card, the AP 2496 (got 2) if it is possible even more stable than the Pro! But then you would need some form of external control of inputs and outputs. A small mixer would be ideal and would cost under £50. The card is about the same. I accept that you are on a budget here but IMHO £100 is just about as low as it gets to setup a decent, flexible 2 channel recording system. But I can assure you that either of the setups I have outlined will deliver really first class results. Personally I find the pci card/mixer the most flexible route.

Dave.

elz · 03-27-2009, 09:34 AM

+1 for the 2496. budget at its best.

03-26-2009, 02:13 PM	#1
saulhudson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 119	Advice please? Hi, I'm looking for a reasonable, (I.E. Not mega bucks) Sound card, preferably with a front panel that will allow me to connect my guitar via XtLive for recording? I'm going to hopefully eventually use it in the construction/adaption of midi files to create click tracks for our band, as well as record myself from time to time jamming to backing tracks. It has to be pretty simple to use and of a reasonable quality, my PC runs Vista. Any and all help is greatly appreciated, as I have no experience in this side of things really.

03-26-2009, 02:41 PM	#2
JOBU Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NORWAY Posts: 9,183	All you want to know is here: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm __________________ JOBU Enjoy music - enjoy life ! (www.jonbuer.com)

03-26-2009, 03:10 PM	#4
JOBU Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NORWAY Posts: 9,183	No problem, I'm at work. __________________ JOBU Enjoy music - enjoy life ! (www.jonbuer.com)

03-27-2009, 09:34 AM	#10
elz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: all work guaranteed until the cheque clears Posts: 898	+1 for the 2496. budget at its best. __________________ 2.4 quad...4gig ram MOTU 828 mk2 Adam A5 Cubase AI4 KX49 Micro x R.3

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03-26-2009, 08:07 PM	#7
ecc83 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: northampton uk Posts: 2,614	I do have some experience with M-Audio products, very solid drivers as a rule. Which card are you interested in? Dave.

03-26-2009, 11:55 PM	#9
ecc83 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: northampton uk Posts: 2,614	Ah! Now see, I thought you meant an INTERNAL soundcard with an external breakout box. A usb "soundcard" is usually refered to as an Audio Interface, but yes, the terms are by no means precise or exclusive. You will find this confusion about terminology rife in this game! The only usb AI from M-A I have experience of is the Fast track pro and I can thoroughly recommend it. Just one of its features you will like is Hi Z guitar inputs. They do run about £100 however but you might find one for 30quid on the Bay. They are pretty robust so one should work ok. You mentioned MIDI and the pro is also a usb MIDI interface with MIDI in and out. Another M-A option is a pci card, the AP 2496 (got 2) if it is possible even more stable than the Pro! But then you would need some form of external control of inputs and outputs. A small mixer would be ideal and would cost under £50. The card is about the same. I accept that you are on a budget here but IMHO £100 is just about as low as it gets to setup a decent, flexible 2 channel recording system. But I can assure you that either of the setups I have outlined will deliver really first class results. Personally I find the pci card/mixer the most flexible route. Dave.