Recording my bass on my computer....

[Jazzlover]

Ok, so I want to record my bass on my computer. I've read lots of info here and elsewhere and am aware of the many USB and Firewire devices available but it seems that the best interface would seem to be PCI (no or minimum latency etc...).

I have a sound card built onto my motherboard. I am more than happy to replace it. But, with what? I've got my head spinning from reading numerous suggestions on various sites.

I have a Tech21 Sansamp Bass Driver DI.

I am looking for the most elegant, simple way to make high quality recordings of my bass on the computer without buying things I don't need (I think a mixer is overkill (correct me if I am wrong) since I have a DI in the Sansamp and I'd still need a new soundcard or other interface).

Should I just buy an M-AUDIO Audiophile 192 which has 1/4" balanced/unbalanced inputs (and use my Sansamp between my bass and the card) and be done with it? Or is there a reason, in my case, to go another route. I will only be recording my bass, no vocals, no other instruments. If I ever did get to that point I would happily pony up for a mixer.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Adam.

[Jazzlover]

No replies. Oh well.

Anyhow, I just scored a used M-Audio Delta 66. More inputs and outputs than I need at the moment but the price was right, cheaper than a new lower end card would have cost me.

[Cryhavok]

Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for your questions. However, I am running a similar setup (bass -> sanamp -> sound card) except i am using a Creative SB.

Just wondering, have you been able to get good recordings? How's the M-Audio card? I'm asking because the way I have things setup, I should be getting tolerable recordings, but I end up with total crap. I'm thinking I might need a different sound card...

[Jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Cryhavok

Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for your questions. However, I am running a similar setup (bass -> sanamp -> sound card) except i am using a Creative SB.

Just wondering, have you been able to get good recordings? How's the M-Audio card? I'm asking because the way I have things setup, I should be getting tolerable recordings, but I end up with total crap. I'm thinking I might need a different sound card...

I was able to get OK sound if I attached my Sansamp Bass Driver DI between the bass and the M-Audio Delta 66 but it was a too noisy. I just picked up a used Presonus BlueTube DP and so far it seems to be a good improvment. Far more gain, less noise. I have not tried the Sansamp with the BlueTube yet.

I haven't tried many different sound cards but the Delta series get's great reviews and many people use them in their home studios so....

[hunta]

Might try something like a GT Brick too.

[kyral210]

My Soundblaster X-Fi Extreme Music sound card works very well for me. It even has a setting for recording music, which im guessing is pretty good?

I go Bass - Effects - Sansamp - Sound Card

Recording with the Soundblaster is so much better than recording with my old PC (on board sound card).

I recomend the following setting for recording:
* - ALWAYS record at 32 bit depth
* - 44100 rate
* - good, high quality connections