what external audio sound card?

[mauro526]

Hi all.

I have to buy an external audio soundcard and i have no idea. I want something just fair, not too expensive but good enough for a home studio.

any idea ?

Dumb question: Does the sound card affects in a important way the change from digital to analog? or just analog to digital?

Sorry about my english, its not my native language.

Thanks.

[Dragonbreath]

It affects conversion in both directions... What will you be recording with it? Do you have a firewire port on your computer, if yes then you prob wanna stick with that. Otherwise USB, or maybe pci.... theres alot of factors concerned...more info would help

[mauro526]

No, i dont have firewire ports. Usb.
I mainly want it to work with samples i already have digitalized, so mainly to convert digital to analog.
I use ableton and reason and i want a decent quality sound.

Thanks, Dragonbreath.

[Dragonbreath]

Your internal sound would prob do a good enough job then. Unless your gonna usevreal monitors to along with it or want 2 sets of out then I wouldn't bother

[McQ714]

vague much???

do you need inputs or just outputs?

how many stereo outputs do you need?

what's your budget for this piece of gear?

if you work entirely in the box and don't do any recording of vocals or isntruments and just want stereo outs for monitors and headphones then i'd suggest the Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ. it's inexpensive, decent quality, and very portable.

[mauro526]

I think with 2 stereo outputs and 1 input would be fine. My budget is around 600 usd.

Extra question. I have 2 old (1990) big technics monitors from a Home system. What do you think? Do i need a more specialized ones?

Thanks.

[Khazul]

Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 if you want something cheap and good for plugging into studio gear (ie gear that used balanced TRS/XLR connectors)
If you want absolutely minimal for plugging into consumer hi-fi or DJ gear (uses unbalanced RCA connectors), then Native Instrments Audio 2 or 4 DJ might be good for you. Audio 2 has no inputs so you cant record external sound sources - its really is minimal, but very good as a minimal portable audio interface for DJs etc.

[mauro526]

Can i use the NI audio 2 as a mixer for pc output and an analog synth?

[McQ714]

no.

[23kon]

I can recommend this external soundcard.
I got it because I wanted one with digital-out and could cope with other ins+outs.
Good value for £170
Go cheaper than that and you get into unstable territory i've found.

http://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/Computer-A ... A25EX.html

[mauro526]

Thanks all. Very useful