How big a difference does a good sound card make?

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-- How big a difference does a good sound card make?

Posted by MaxC on Jul-14-2003 20:59:

How big a difference does a good sound card make?

I have a SoundBlaster Live card and I was wondering if that is sufficient for making productions with high sound quality, or would a better sound card make a notable difference?

Posted by Michael Russo on Jul-15-2003 00:33:

It depends. If you're just composing with all software tools, and you're using ASIO drivers for your sb live (come.to/sblive, kxproject.com), and you are listening to what you're doing on normal pc speakers or headphones, it's pretty safe to say that there won't be any difference between the sb live and an audiophile, for example.

However:

If you're recording anything (vocals, output from your dj mixer, hardware synths, etc.)...

or you're monitoring with good equipment (quality studio monitors)

then there will definately be a big difference.

Just remember, if you're working digitally, it does not matter at all what sound card you use. The soundcard will only affect the playback of the audio, but will not change what is recorded because what is recorded is taken care of by your processor, and is independent of the soundcard. Of course, what you record is influenced by the sound of the soundcard... but I wouldn't worry about it.

Posted by DJ Chrono on Jul-15-2003 01:23:

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Russo
Just remember, if you're working digitally, it does not matter at all what sound card you use. The soundcard will only affect the playback of the audio, but will not change what is recorded because what is recorded is taken care of by your processor, and is independent of the soundcard. Of course, what you record is influenced by the sound of the soundcard... but I wouldn't worry about it.

actually this is not entirely true. most regular soundcards only support up to 16/44 audio. If you want to work in 24/96 (or higher) it wont work.

Posted by hey cheggy on Jul-15-2003 05:19:

but don't the audigy cards support 24bit playback.

If you want to work with midi, then a good card will lower your latency. I don't know what it is like on your current card, but I don't have any recognisable latency on my audiophile.

If you didn't have a proper sound card at all, I wouldn't recommend a creative, but if you already have one and don't record into your comp, or use external midi devices, then there's not much need for a better one at the moment.

I would wait and see if you expand your set up as far as equipment goes, and then decide later if you will need a better card.

Posted by dEEkAy on Jul-15-2003 08:50:

Since I'm a DJ and streaming as well I decided not to get a soundblaster again, so I bought a TerraTec DMX6fire 24/96

what can I say ? Superb sound and great ASIO Support (even for 5.1-ASIO productions)

Posted by Michael Russo on Jul-16-2003 21:12:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ Chrono
actually this is not entirely true. most regular soundcards only support up to 16/44 audio. If you want to work in 24/96 (or higher) it wont work.

Yes, you're right... I forgot about that when I was writing my post, but it's still not that big a deal. We're making electronic music here, not recording orchestras!

Posted by DJ Chrono on Jul-16-2003 23:24:

quote:
Originally posted by hey cheggy
but don't the audigy cards support 24bit playback.

yes, they support 24bit playback, but only 16bit recording (if I rembember correctly).