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John M Guest
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 3:43 pm Post subject: PC Sound Card. |
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Okie Dokie. I got a gig doing a radio show on w00tradio.net. It's mostly a hobby, but I'm looking to upgrade my audio hardware. First thing on the list is a new sound card. I'm probably going to get the Audigy 2 ZS, but I thought I'd check with you folks and see if there's something better for under $100. |
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Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11049 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Audigy = soundblaster? No, I wouldn't as it's for people who play "Journey to death camp in Monte Casino III" in surroundOmegatastic sound. M Audio Delta will serve you better. |
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brianforrester Backstage Pass
Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 492 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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For under a hundred... probably not! But the audigy 2 zs, while being great for gaming and multi-media, it leaves a lot to be desired for professional voice recording. I have one that I use strictly as a pc sound card, not in my recording chain however. I have tried it in the signal chain and the noise and sound quality suck (compared to the mbox), and in my humble and biased opinion!
Spend a little extra and get a professional grade sound card or other audio interface...
Ebay's a great place to look, in less than 30 seconds I found the following currently listed:
Item #
7362756313 = Delta 44 @ $132.99
7362757839 = Delta 66 @ $179.99
And the list could keep on growing...
Simply put in these search words... m-audio delta ... and then begin the salivation!
Just watch out... Ebay IS VERY ADDICTIVE, especially for a gear junkie like me! :wink:
Good luck _________________ Brian Forrester Voice Overs
www.brianforrester.com
brian@brianforrester.com
778.668.5715 |
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Spacegypsy Guest
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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So what's wrong with the M-Audio MobilePre please? That's what I've got... is the Delta so much better? My MobilePre was around $100 (and I bought it AFTER I made the mistake of buying an Audigy, sheesh!) |
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nick reed Guest
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject: Bestest for the cheapest |
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There are a few well-known budget cards with good reps. The Echo Mia, the MAudio Delta and the Emu 0404 (by Creative Sound Labs).
I have the Emu 0404 and I must be honest and say that this card has some issues but once you get them ironed out with the help of other suffering souls on "the Unofficial Emu Forum", it is $99 well spent. One of the nice things about it is the software which is included. It has a software mixer with built in effects. You can do a lot of stuff with this. It has eq settings such as Voiceover and Big Chest. A $100 mic and this EQ would go a long way sonically.
Perhaps someone else can speak for the Mia and Delta cards in regard to features and software. |
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allensco Flight Attendant
Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 823 Location: Alabama, USA
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:59 pm Post subject: Echo Mia-Midi |
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I can testify to the Echo Mia-Midi. Runs about $129.99 on Musician's Friend. Just got mine about a week ago and love it. Great investment for my humble little VO studio. |
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billelder Guest
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:53 am Post subject: |
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As the cheapest human being alive, Sound Blaster makes a nifty little USB sound device (Creative Labs Sound Blaster USB MP3 + Audio Card) for about $40. I use it on my laptop (with a small Behringer mixer) to do "gotta have a tag now" VO's on the road. That was when I remembered that I never go anywhere. |
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John M Guest
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone! I've just got a cheap soundblaster live! value right now so anything should hopefully be an improvement. I can get good prices on anything Creative, Turtle Beach or M-Audio because I can order them through where I work. But I may just splurge after my B-Day and get a more professional card. |
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John M Guest
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Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:26 am Post subject: |
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Ok. So I'm looking at the M-Audio Revolution 5.1 right now. I'm strapped for cash at the moment and I can get it for about 65 bucks through my work. It says it has "professional 24-bit 96Khz mic/line in recording"
Is that good? |
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Charlie Channel Club 300
Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 356 Location: East Palo Alto, CA
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Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:48 am Post subject: |
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John M wrote: | It says it has "professional 24-bit 96Khz mic/line in recording"
Is that good? |
Yep.
"The sample rate and bit depth are two main specifications that determine the audio quality for the sessions ..."
"Many professionals perefer to work at 44.1 kHz. At 24 bits, the difference in sound quality between 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz is undetectable by most people ..."
The Musician's Guide to Pro Tools by John Keane. |
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