Buying a soundcard for recording in a band

SidewinderINC · 26 Jul 2006 at 23:07

Hi all,

My sister has just yoinked her M-Audio 2496 back from my computer and i'm in need of buying a new soundcard for recording things with my band.
Simple you might say - buy another 2496.. i didnt really get on with it, found it all a bit shabby and confusing as a mixer was required and there were too many knobs

Been looking at the Emu range, in particular the 1212M as its around the price range i'm looking for and seems to have plenty of ins and outs all built into it.

could anyone give me some advice on whether this is a good card / easy to use etc. etc.

i'll be running Cubase and Pro Tools - so hopefully both of them will be compatible with it.

also, i'll need a pair of monitors to go with the card - so if anyone could give me a hand with some budget ones (ive seen the price of some of the expensive ones

) that will still cut the mustard it would be great!

Thanks

Matt

SidewinderINC · 27 Jul 2006 at 11:23

Midi in/out is a must - will be getting a midi controller keyboard so need somewhere for it to attach.

other than that its going to be used for micing my amp, a bass, vocals - the usual band stuff.

budget for the card is around the £130 mark, but could stretch to £150

have never used protools before, but have been told its easier to use, didnt know it was so limited in what hardware you could use.

SidewinderINC · 28 Jul 2006 at 11:23

want to try and avoid USB as much as possible!
i know there are no real latency issues, i just dont trust it still!

ive sorted out my soundcard now with andelusion - he's selling me his old setup

SidewinderINC · 28 Jul 2006 at 17:48

Ive gone for this lot

M-Audio 192
M-Audio Duo Mic Pre-Amp (it is USB, but it has stereo line outs, so can just go straight into the sound card)

that will work with the Pro-Tools M Powered. and i know it works with Cubase.

and i also get tech support at the end of MSN in the form of andelusion

now ive gotta buy a set of Active Monitors..

i have a shortlist:

M-Audio BX5 @ £150
Tascam VLX-5 @ £169
Samson Resolve 65 @ £185
Wharfedale Diamond Active 8.2 @ £200
Alesis M1 Active Mk2 @ £219

any ideas? andelusion keeps pimping the Alesis set, as its the most expensive i can really afford it seems like they're the best.