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Question about sound cards on your WinXP based machine.

McHack

McHack

Jul 29, 2003
5,630
6
62
Central Ohio!
#1
I asked this question years ago, but as technology has plodded along, I thought it might be good ask again. I had previously ask, what sound card should you get for recording onto your pc... When I did, the rule was... x, or y, or z.... but NEVER a Creative Sound Blaster. Turtle Beach was what I had at the time. I never did anything with it, but was happy I was ok.

Well, Not too long ago, I bought a new pc, & with it a new sound card. I hadnt done any pc recording, so, i went w/ the gamers choice. Creative Labs Soundblaster X-FI Extreme.

Is there any feedback, regarding the latest SB sound card offering, in relation to recording?
 
#2
any soudcard branded as a "recording soundcard" will outperform any soundblaster or turtlebeach "gaming soundcard". look at models from M-audio, EMU, motu, etc. a search for soundcards at musiciansfriend.com will give you a good starting place.

to answer your next likely question, a PCI or firewire soundcard should be your preferred choice. stay away from USB audio interfaces!!! usb midi interfaces however, work just fine.

to directly answer your question: soundblaster soundcards are not recommended for recording...
 
#4
nope, you can get away with it for a time, as i did. but then i upgraded to an m-audio delta44 and LOTS and LOTS of recording headaches simply vanished. all of a sudden little sync and lag issues were non-existent.

Latency is the buzz word, and it DOES make a difference. The lower the better, and gaming soundcards are just too high, and they probably always will be.
 
#6
addylewis said:
Whats wrong with soundblaster? - I had one a while ago and it was pretty good...almost certainly beat the in-built thing I've got on my motherboard now
Click to expand...
try an actual recording soundcard and youll see. i agree, onboard "soundcards" are even worse! but both are pretty useless for anything other than just taking "notes". Spend some time actually recording on your comp with all 3 setups and you'll see that there are significant differences.
 

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