Computer Soundcards

[One-Way]

Re: Computer Soundcards

Well, I'm still not sure if I'm getting a new computer. So, I guess, I'll just wait a few weeks and see what's happening.

I'll probably get a new soundcard even if I do get a new computer. Don't know yet.

[ddd]

Re: Computer Soundcards

If your computer can handle windows XP, upgrade to that.

As far as sound cards go, I'd recommend the M-audio if all you'll be doing is listening to music and what not.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829121123

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Computer Soundcards

My pc just uses its inbuilt sound chipset, and I have 10 year-old speakers - so maybe I'm not qualified to say anything.

But I have to ask "why should anyone need a soundcard these days?" After all - aren't they just for converting digital data to analogue sound. And since everything is digital these days, why do that - converting to analoge entails a drop in audio quality. And what about usb speakers. Didn't usb speakers make soundcards obsolete? Are usb speakers better or worse than analogue ones?

[Siamanto]

Re: Computer Soundcards

You need a new computer to be able to take advantage of what a good sound card could offer.

I don't see why that would be necessarily the case as long as there exists a software - i.e. a driver - that can control the card and communicate with the OS? Most - if not all - cards and peripherals support Windows ME. Of course, the installation process and maintenance may be somehow easier with a more recent version of the OS.

Maybe wait until you can get a new puter instead of spending on a new card for the current one that won't really be able to do a lot for you? :-/

A wise approach.

^ I don't need it FOR recording. I should've said I need it to mix the songs, to hear everything better. Just make the overall quality better than what it is now.

Personally, I would either opt for
1- Considering that the computer will be probably upgraded, no change at all - as Siggie has suggested
2- An "open" solution i.e. a solution external to the computer. Some of the advantages of an open solution are reusability and modularity. A disadvantage of an open solution is - slightly or not - more complexity.

What happens between the software package that you use to mix and your ears?
1- In the soundcard, the digital stream generated by the mixer is converted into an analog signal
2- The speakers or headphones convert the analog signal into waves that are decoded by your ears as sound

In order to improve the quality of what you hear, you can improve either one or both steps.

A soundcard can only improve the quality of the analog signal; but is the analog signal it really the problem?

It may be easier to improve step 2 with either good quality headphones or connecting the system to an external Hi-Fi audio system. I have recently bought wireless headphones and I'm very pleased with the sound quality even when I use it with an old laptop.

Another way - a bit more complicated and "open" - to improve the digital to analog conversion is to have an external box to do the conversion. The advantage is that you can reuse it as is with your future computer - that may be a laptop. There are many other advantages that we can discuss later.
The following may be one solution within your budget. I said "may be" because it also depends on your mixer.
If you tell me what mixer you use, I can investigate.

http://rokulabs.com/products/soundbridge/index.php

If your computer can handle windows XP, upgrade to that.

If he had the computer for a while, then he probably has many software packages and utilities already installed, configured functional. Upgrading to Windows XP will probably become a maintenance nightmare; because, it is very likely, that many of the already existing software will not work as expected, if at all.
I won't recommend it; One-Way wants to focus on his music not the computer.

But I have to ask "why should anyone need a soundcard these days?" After all - aren't they just for converting digital data to analogue sound. And since everything is digital these days, why do that - converting to analoge entails a drop in audio quality. And what about usb speakers. Didn't usb speakers make soundcards obsolete? Are usb speakers better or worse than analogue ones?

It's an approach to consider, if the the mixer that he is using can stream the digital data to an USB port. Even if possible, I would add:
1- The digital to analogue conversion is done within the speaker as shown in the diagram below
Block Diagram of a USB speaker
2- It has all the inconveniences of an integrated solution i.e. it is architecturally less flexible and modular. Is it, architecturally, preferable to integrate the "soundcard" to the speaker or the computer?
3- What is the quality of the digital-to-analogue converter integrated to the speaker?
4- Considering his existing infrastructure, would it be more cost effective - for a comparable sound quality?

[ace]

Re: Computer Soundcards

My pc just uses its inbuilt sound chipset, and I have 10 year-old speakers - so maybe I'm not qualified to say anything.

But I have to ask "why should anyone need a soundcard these days?" After all - aren't they just for converting digital data to analogue sound. And since everything is digital these days, why do that - converting to analoge entails a drop in audio quality. And what about usb speakers. Didn't usb speakers make soundcards obsolete? Are usb speakers better or worse than analogue ones?

If your recording music into your computer through a soundcard (which he most likely is) - that makes a world of difference.

[Siamanto]

Re: Computer Soundcards

Creative Labs Audigy 2 NX External Soundcard seems to be an acceptable solution - below $100.







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