Comp question

[Pessimism]

For those of you that record on your computer:

What ind of sound card works best, what do you guys use?
I've been looking forever and the only thingsI find are very highly priced cards ($700+ range)
Do you guys who typically record this way have cards with built in jacks to it or do you plug a mixer up to it? How do you do it?

 

[sumairetsu]

I just use the soundcard that was installed on my computer. I'm thinking about upgrading to a different one that runs for about $200 for the additional inputs, but you don't even really need that much if you're just doing demos by yourself. For mastering and multi-track recording, I'd recommend upgrading if you're planning to record several tracks simultaneously.

I just use the normal line-in and microphone jacks for my purposes. As long as your soundcard has a frequency response input and output of between 20-20,000 Hz, you'll be able to record most anything. If worse comes to worse, you can run a Y-adapter from your computer to your stereo for mixing if your computer speakers aren't that great.

If you have a mixer, you can run it into your line-in on your soundcard using the proper Y-adapters. Just make sure that you set your levels so that you're not frying your speakers.

 

[Kenneth R.]

I use Cubase SX software with my Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2z card. It works quite well. For input, I use Guitarport, and either bypass it and use my Boss GT6 for tone, a Shure SM58 mic for vox or amp-miking, or i simply use the Guitarport's tones.