Which Sound Card ?

oafc0000

oafc0000

oafc0000

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Mornin

My GFs Dad composes music on his computer and he is finally going to invest some money on a new system and some proper software. His budget is quite good, around a £1000.

Got most of the stuff ticked off, 3.2 Ghz CPU, 2 Gig Ram etc

What I need help with is choosing the right sound card. Would a high end Audigy card do the job or is there a better option ?

I would also like to give him as many inputs and outputs as possable. So he will always be able to plug instruments in without worry. I've noticed some of the Audigy cards come with a front panel with lots of inputs etc.

This is the software he is thinking of buying

http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/GAR010.shtml
&
http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/COD001.shtml

Any help would be great,

Cheers
 
A high end Audigy card will probably do the job but is far from the best choice. An external firewire/usb audio interface is the way to go, but without a budget for this alone it would be difficult to suggest something.

Another question... why has that software been chosen? I've never used it before but it seems quite specialist.
 
He basically composes fully orchestral music. He is a composer. So the software is just what he needs. He doesn’t do it professionally, does it more for fun, but he is now retired and wants to start getting more business like with it. Does a lot of stuff for the church writing hyms etc.

As far as budget, anything from £50 to £250. I don’t know where to start looking so for example, if he is best spending £250 he will do, but would prefer to spend as little as possible.

Does that help ?
 
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Thanks for the further info, software makes sense now. Sounds to me like he won't be plugging any mic's into the soundcard so an internal soundcard will probably suffice. However, you suggested in the first post that many ins/outs would desirable which has got me a bit confused. What instuments will he be plugging in?

I'll put it simply, if quality of the signal path is an issue (ie if mic's are going to be used) an external soundcard/interface will be much better. Otherwise an internal soundcard will most likely be the cheaper option. For a good quality external soundcard/interface with many ins and outs I would suggest that a higher budget is required... somewhere close to £500 if not more.
 
Now this is where i start to lose it all :P

I understand computers, i dont understand music equipment. This is part of the email he sent.

The sound card needs at least MIDI (DIN or PS2) in and out and audio (mini-jack) in and out. I believe the high end ones have their own processor to enable things played on a MIDI keyboard to sound in real time, I need this.

Now, what does that all really mean I dont know :P Do you ? :) Do all keyboards use MIDI ? Is there a better option, if so I need to give him the MIDI port and whatever the new way of doing it.
 
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oafc0000 said:
Now this is where i start to lose it all :P

I understand computers, i dont understand music equipment. This is part of the email he sent.

The sound card needs at least MIDI (DIN or PS2) in and out and audio (mini-jack) in and out. I believe the high end ones have their own processor to enable things played on a MIDI keyboard to sound in real time, I need this.

Now, what does that all really mean I dont know :P Do you ? :) He also isnt thinking about future proofing this stuff, he never does and then regerts it. Do all keyboards use MIDI ? Is there a better option, if so I need to give him the MIDI port and whatever the new way of doing it.
Click to expand...

Ok... so all he needs is a decent MIDI interface and one stereo input. I'll have a look for something.

He is right though, the better ones will have low latency which effectively means that there is no delay between pressing a key and hearing the sound produced by the software.
 
Soundcard for stereo:
M-Audio Audiophile 192
http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en...le192-main.html
...or if more inputs are required...
M-Audio Delta1010LT
http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en...010LT-main.html

MIDI Interface:
M-Audio USB MIDISPORT 2x2:
http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en...RT2x2-main.html

If he doesn't have a sequencer yet, he will need one as a VST host to use that orchestra software. I recommend Cubase SE3:
http://www.steinberg.net/33_1.html
...or if more tracks and features are required either...
Cubase SL3
http://www.steinberg.net/34_1.html
...or...
Cubase SX3

Here are some half-decent active monitors if he doesn't have any:
http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=27

Here is a cheap, yet decent pre-amp (for recording anything from a microphone):
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTV3

Here's a decent compressor to slap in right after the pre:
http://www.fmraudio.com/RNC1773.HTM
 
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All the suggestions so far look pretty good and are probably the best options within the budget. As fish99 pointed out, it's probably best to point him towards the websites so he can decide what he needs. I think they all have MIDI In/out as well so a separate MIDI interface would be somewhat superfluous.

It's worth keeping in mind that soundcards usually come with some sequencer software, so it may not be necessary to purchase additional software.
 
Its seems that the M-Audio Audiophile 192 & Delta1010LT come with some bundle software that does sequencer software. Ableton Live Lite 5

So thats that sorted. I will let him choose which of the two sound cards to go for.

Im taking it monitors, pre-amps and compressors are addtional nice things but are not essiential to get him going ?

Thanks
 
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oafc0000 said:
Its seems that the M-Audio Audiophile 192 & Delta1010LT come with some bundle software that does sequencer software. Ableton Live Lite 5

So thats that sorted. I will let him choose which of the two sound cards to go for.

Im taking it monitors, pre-amps and compressors are addtional nice things but are not essiential to get him going ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Pre-amps and compressors are only necessary if he'll be using any mic's. He'll obviously need something to monitor with, either a reasonable pair of headphones or some kind of monitor speakers. Personally, I prefer to use headphones.
 
oafc0000 said:
Its seems that the M-Audio Audiophile 192 & Delta1010LT come with some bundle software that does sequencer software. Ableton Live Lite 5

So thats that sorted. I will let him choose which of the two sound cards to go for.

Im taking it monitors, pre-amps and compressors are addtional nice things but are not essiential to get him going ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Decent monitors are good to have - nobody wants to make great music then try and mix it on PC speakers!

The pre-amp and compressor are only of use if recording via a microphone.
Even then the compressor is optional (although a good idea).
 
Sorry, being a bit thick.

Of course he will need "monitors", lol. he has a decent sound setup already. No need to worry on that front.

I will leave it up to him if he wants/needs the extra's like pre-amp etc.

Thanks for all your help everyone :):)
 
Codmate said:
Decent monitors are good to have - nobody wants to make great music then try and mix it on PC speakers!

The pre-amp and compressor are only of use if recording via a microphone.
Even then the compressor is optional (although a good idea).
Click to expand...

That's what I said.
 
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