Sound Card?? (AUDIO INTERFACE!)

[dizzy035]

Hey guys, im gettting my studio monitor krk rokit8s this week and i was just wondering what else ii would need to hook them up to my laptop like what kind of sound card etc, i guess i would need an external soundcard but i have no idea whats considered 'production worthy'... can anyone help me out? also i have a microphone id love to attach but its only got a guitar amp output (SORRY I DONT KNOW WHAT THE JACK IS CALLED!!! )

i appreciate any help!

cheeers

[JFK]

Soundcard is kinda an outdated term now. The bit of kit you are referring to is called an audio interface.

Which one ou buy depends on how much ££ you have but some good ones to look at are the Novation nio and the Focusrite sapphire LE. Both have ports for mics etc.

http://www.decks.co.uk/products/Novation/NIO_24

http://www.proaudiosystems.co.uk/produc ... 8-433.html

If neither of these grab you. Try Googling "USB Audio interface (insert ££ you have to spend here)"

[WatchYourStep]

Agreed. "Audio interface" is street talk. It makes you look cool and gets you instant respect and furry hats!

The Edirol FA-66 is about $350 Canadian (228 pounds), and is the best I've ever used:


The "Input 1/L, Input 2/R" spots on the front of the unit are for ur mics, and they'll accept up to two different kinds of plugs for up to 2 microphones at once, so you don't need to worry about what cable your existing mic uses. It's always one of these two:
<--XLR OR<--1/4"

and on the back where you see "output 1, 2, 3, 4", those are 1/4" connectors to hook up to any 1/4" or XLR-equipped studio monitors, so you can mix and match with whatever speakers you want.

And it's convenient, b/c it's bus-powered, meaning only one cable. Oops, I just realized I didn't ask you if your computer has FW or USB

[dizzy035]

Soundcard is kinda an outdated term now. The bit of kit you are referring to is called an audio interface.

Which one ou buy depends on how much ££ you have but some good ones to look at are the Novation nio and the Focusrite sapphire LE. Both have ports for mics etc.

http://www.decks.co.uk/products/Novation/NIO_24

http://www.proaudiosystems.co.uk/produc ... 8-433.html

If neither of these grab you. Try Googling "USB Audio interface (insert ££ you have to spend here)"

thanks a lot for that i have an idea of what they look like now and price range, geez you guys are super fast to respond!!!

Agreed. "Audio interface" is street talk. It makes you look cool and gets you instant respect and furry hats!

The Edirol FA-66 is about $350 Canadian (228 pounds), and is the best I've ever used:


The "Input 1/L, Input 2/R" spots on the front of the unit are for ur mics, and they'll accept up to two different kinds of plugs for up to 2 microphones at once, so you don't need to worry about what cable your existing mic uses. It's always one of these two:
<--XLR OR<--1/4"

and on the back where you see "output 1, 2, 3, 4", those are 1/4" connectors to hook up to any 1/4" or XLR-equipped studio monitors, so you can mix and match with whatever speakers you want.

And it's convenient, b/c it's bus-powered, meaning only one cable. Oops, I just realized I didn't ask you if your computer has FW or USB

it has usb and firewire (im pretty sure it has firewire ill look when i get home!)

i was looking to spend around $350-$400 AU (australian - so about $300US)

im going to have a search now so ill post what i find if you guys can provide some feedback!

[drokkr]

Have a look at the Focusrite Saffire 6 USB. Been getting great reviews all over and at a good price too. Going picking one up myself.

[dizzy035]

just found this one, http://www.djwarehouse.com.au/studio-ge ... dcard.html

and this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3D1&_rdc=1

EDIT: i think i found a winner http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Native-Instrumen ... 4cee6aa08a

any thoughts on these, m-audio is at the local shop for me so real convenient, ebay is convenient aswell... would they all hook up to the monitors nicely?

and one last question just for convenience, could i possibly have the audio interface connected to both the computer and my mixer(and decks) that way i dont always have to plug the monitors in and out all the time?

[bmills]

The question is...do you want a free native instruments synth?

[dizzy035]

well i have a downloaded version of massive, but it works fine... isnt that one any good?

[drokkr]

well i have a downloaded version of massive, but it works fine... isnt that one any good?

Don't be talkin' 'bout no cracks now boy, ya hear?

[LFpHUNK]

i always recommend echo audio. top notch quality, right under RME perhaps...i would never go with USB, but that's just me.

if u want firewire:

http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireW ... /index.php

if you dont need the preamps and just 1/4 inputs, then they have a step lower.

since you're on a laptop though that kinda sucks. whatever though.

pretty much anything you get is gonna be more than adequate. just as long as the drivers are solid. as long as you can get sound to your speakers then you can make music.

[dizzy035]

well i have a downloaded version of massive, but it works fine... isnt that one any good?

Don't be talkin' 'bout no cracks now boy, ya hear?

sorry mate im just wainting till it goes on special again i have too many other things to spend money on in the production field...

out of the three options which do you guys recommend the most?

[green plan]

i always recommend echo audio. top notch quality, right under RME perhaps...i would never go with USB, but that's just me.

if u want firewire:

http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireW ... /index.php

if you dont need the preamps and just 1/4 inputs, then they have a step lower.

since you're on a laptop though that kinda sucks. whatever though.

pretty much anything you get is gonna be more than adequate. just as long as the drivers are solid. as long as you can get sound to your speakers then you can make music.

+1 for echo audiofire. Just got the 4, easy to use, all kosh.

[dizzy035]

no fire wire

[redraven]

I use a Lexicon Omega, can't complain it gets the job done for me