Sound Card for Recording

[boeing114]

So I am looking into getting a soundcard for my computer so I can record my guitar and bass with high quality. I need the ports big enough to fit a standard guitar cable. My budget is about $100, but I can go more if I need to. I'm not sure if this is important, but it will need to be able to run some guitar effects, and also play the sound back on a pretty good sound system, which I would also like some advice on. Thanks!

 

[compulsivebuilder]

If you want to play around with recording, then a consumer sound card will suffice; you can even use the sound built into your motherboard.

If you want to take things more seriously, then you can look into offerings from companies like M-Audio - they are a bit more expensive, but they offer genuine high fidelity record and replay, and they have software to go with it. There are several different ways you can go - there are M-Audio options that connect via USB, and there are sound cards, but quite different from consumer sound cards.

Some of the USB attach boxes will take 6.3mm jacks (like your guitar, while some will take Cannon XLR connectors (commonly used for microphones, for example). These boxes can be used with Mac or PC, which is convenient if you have a mix of computers.

 

[sap chicken]

@MEgamer "and I use a pre-amp for it" "you should get a pre-amp" A pre-amp is an amplifier, so I said pre-amp and in the rest of the sentences I just use the amplifier to link to the pre-amp.

@king smp Don't you get huge variations in volume between the guitar and keyboard? If that's any good I'd go for that sound card.

@CompulsiveBuilder I don't think that will fit his budget.

 

[king smp]

The Asus Xonar DG I use is okay for basic recording ("fun recording")
but I wouldnt use that for any serious recording

CompulsiveBuilder had it right in their last post
There are specific recording units with mixing and DSP built for firewire and usb

It all depends on what type of recording you are doing
I record for use with making Youtube videos and CDs for family and friends

If a person is a serious musician who wants to make near studio quality
recordings then they have to look into the more expensive gear like
the M-Audio options
something like this
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=m-audio&hl=en&prmd=ivnsr&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1920&bih=888&wrapid=tlif130979273150710&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8592815504381270436&sa=X&ei=5tkRTs3aNabW0QGJsa2KDg&ved=0CKcBEPMCMAI#

I dont have personal experience with them
I just posted a link to one of their sound cards
as you can see it is under a $100
something to consider

 

[king smp]

nater9 provided a great link that I am reading up on
and this page was interesting to me
http://www.tweakheadz.com/laboratory/hook_up_your_audio_now.htm

just jacking in a instrument into your line-in of your soundcard is NOT
the way to go for serious recording

that is why for example the M-Audio cards and others have zero-latency monitoring


besides latency another issue is feedback whine
especially with a mic or guitar if you are too close to your speakers
than you will get feedback
for my "fun" recording I use headphones to get around this

that M-Audio 2496 card I linked is actually recommended by that site
(I didnt know that when I linked it - just pure luck )

at that price point of under a $100 as you stated in original post
I think that would be the best bet

It is a little older but the drivers by now should be very stable

so my official answer to your post
is this card the M-Audio 2496 for about $80
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=m-audio&hl=en&prmd=ivnsr&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1920&bih=888&wrapid=tlif130979273150710&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8592815504381270436&sa=X&ei=5tkRTs3aNabW0QGJsa2KDg&ved=0CKcBEPMCMAI#

and read that link that nater9 posted

also if you want to keep costs down
then software wise
I would go with freeware
I like Reaper Free Edition
http://www.freewarefiles.com/REAPER-Last-Freeware-Version_program_43366.html
also i have heard good things about this one though I havent used it
http://www.freewarefiles.com/DarkWave-Studio_program_58483.html

I use Reaper and it is a good way to acquainted with multitrack recording
high end stuff like Fruity Loops and Sony Acid Pro are great
but can be expensive to start with

 

[hdgfjdfsdf]

Wow, man, I suggested creative just because it was the best one I came upon
The exact cable I use is one I made (
they are two, actually - one in and one out the computer )

I agree with the comment on the creative< i bought 2 creative cards to try the Audigy 2 and the Audigy 4 pro with a control unit, and it was really crap compared to my old on board Realtek HD Audio! I thought it would have improved it somewhat but it was just hissy and crackly whilst playing my guitar through Guitar Rig 4, So I am going to get an Asus Xonar DG