Audio interface

[joe2004]

Hello,

I wanted to know what audio card i should look for for my DAW.

Back in the days all the cards were internal and i don't see that much now a days. Is there something you would recommend for around $100 i just need to monitor audio on my monitors. I don't need any input for recording or anything fancy.

one last question. Can you i use the onboard audio port from the computer motherboard or that's not a good idea? i will be building a new system soon.


Thanks.

[Passing Bye]

For that price I generally recommend Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD, UMC204HD as maybe even better feature proofed investment, great value for the buck.

[Pacific05]

For that price I generally recommend Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD, UMC204HD as maybe even better feature proofed investment, great value for the buck.

This or Presonus Audiobox/iOne.
If you can go slightly higher, NI Komplete Audio 1 (RCA cables) or 2 (TRS).
As for onboard audio card: yes, you can use it but latency and lack of accuracy could give issues to the audio.

[roman.i]

Hello,

I wanted to know what audio card i should look for for my DAW.

Back in the days all the cards were internal and i don't see that much now a days. Is there something you would recommend for around $100 i just need to monitor audio on my monitors. I don't need any input for recording or anything fancy.

one last question. Can you i use the onboard audio port from the computer motherboard or that's not a good idea? i will be building a new system soon.


Thanks.

Nowadays home studio card are mostly in external boxes because this design has several advantages.
First of all, not all monitors have volume control, they are meant to be controlled via a monitor controller. Also, home studio usually needs a pre-amp for recording passive instruments.
So the external box is all in one solution. The simple one usually has a preamp, two main line outs for a monitor, powerful enough stereo out for studio headphones, knobs for controlling the volume in headphones and monitors.
Sound quality wise, if you're getting a $100 external audio interface, I'm not sure it's better than your motherboard audio interface.
If you're serious about making music, get a decent quality audio interface with spare connectivity, because after few month you may find out that you need more connections.

[robotmonkey]

Sound quality wise, if you're getting a $100 external audio interface, I'm not sure it's better than your motherboard audio interface.
If you're serious about making music, get a decent quality audio interface with spare connectivity, because after few month you may find out that you need more connections.

One of the companies to look at is ESI Audio. Their new USB interfaces have supposedly very good drivers. I think you can get the U22 below 100$. It will definitely sound better than any on-board audio.

Even a decent Sound Blaster or Asus Xonar that cost somewhere 65-80$ will sound much better that anything you'll find on-board. And they have proper ASIO drivers too, which is a must for any music work.