KVR Audio

newbie_here · Post by **newbie_here** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:43 pm

Hello people.

I was wondering, what would you gurus recommend as a good card for around 100 bucks?
I am still unsure about getting one with a MIDI interface or not... I guess if I buy a keyboard I WILL have to get one of these right?
So far I just need one to plug my guitar in, and I have been doing it with line-in in my onboard one...

So, in the end and so far I am not thinking of plugging 10 instruments or something... just maybe that keyboard... and my guitar 24/7.

So...
1. Do I need one with a MIDI Interface no matter what? Like Ive seen the "M-Audio Audiophile 2496 MIDI Digital Recording Interface" for $80 I think in amazon.
2. Whether I need (1) or not, what is a good $100 card you'd recommend, or there is non?

Thanks for your time

rbet · Post by **rbet** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:48 pm

Audiophile 2496
EMU 0404

GHOST19 · Post by **GHOST19** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:05 pm

The 2 above plus the Terratec Phase 22 are good $100ish cards.

Usually the MIDI controlers have a USB interface and don't need MIDI cables.
However specific hardware may need MIDI connections.

Waynemendozza · Post by **Waynemendozza** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:40 pm

If you need a midi interface depends on the keyboard you're going to buy. Some of them come with usb cables and a usb-midi driver. Then you're host will recognice the driver and no need for a mid interface on your soundcard. For example CME keyboards come with such a driver.

newbie_here · Post by **newbie_here** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:01 pm

Oh, thats too good.
I thought it was MIDI-always but with USB I think I might get an USB one then

Thanks for the suggestions, however seeing as Im kinda turning to the non-MIDI side, would you guys recommend other cards that are probably cheaper because they don't have MIDI interfaces?

Thanks again for your time

keyman_sam · Post by **keyman_sam** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:18 am

Emu 0404. Thats what i use. Rock solid.

Monkey Mouse · Post by **Monkey Mouse** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:23 pm

You can pick up an Audiophile 192 for about $130 - Novamusik.com

Laguna Rising · Post by **Laguna Rising** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:29 pm

rbet wrote:Audiophile 2496
EMU 0404

+1

they're both good soundcards

Jay Sherman · Post by **Jay Sherman** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:48 pm

Yeah, AP 2496.

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:53 pm

Another vote for AP2496, but I have to say without a word of a lie or exaggeration that my TonePort UX2 replaced it completely... and the UX1 (the lower-priced counterpart) might do the same, while giving you XLR and 1/4" inputs which the 2496 just doesn't have.

When I got the TonePort, I had no further need of the 2496+mixer, even though the 2496 IS decent... it's my mixer that was crap.

If you're doing absolutely everything virtually, get the 2496. If you're going to record audio, I'd consider other cards including the TonePort, even if you're not a guitarist!

newbie_here · Post by **newbie_here** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:15 am

To be honest... Im happy, and thrilled. So much votes for the AP2496

Seems like its overall the best bang for the buck, and quite an excellent card

Monkey Mouse wrote:You can pick up an Audiophile 192 for about $130 - Novamusik.com

Hehe I can pick it up for $100 in amazon

Lunch Money wrote:but I have to say without a word of a lie or exaggeration that my TonePort UX2 replaced it completely... and the UX1 (the lower-priced counterpart) might do the same, while giving you XLR and 1/4" inputs which the 2496 just doesn't have.

Well... I just checked and the UX2 is currently out of my hardware budget... around $100 more than the Audiophile...
But the UX1 is about $20 more... I might consider it

Lunch Money wrote: When I got the TonePort, I had no further need of the 2496+mixer, even though the 2496 IS decent... it's my mixer that was crap.

I dont think I quite understand completely the last part of your statement... Crap mixer? Mmm the mixed in the card or?

Or maybe you meant you have a hardware mixer?

Lunch Money wrote: If you're doing absolutely everything virtually, get the 2496.

Mostly yes. This is a hobby (quite expensive so far but what the), so it aint like Im gonna build a whole studio or something... so Ill be using virtual instruments like no tomorrow

Like I said Im thinking about Toontrack ones so far.

BUUUTT:

Lunch Money wrote: If you're going to record audio, I'd consider other cards including the TonePort, even if you're not a guitarist!

I am a guitarrist

And I plug in my guitar and have to use Asio4All (works pretty fine), so that'd be the instrument I'd be adding (likely the only one).

So as you see now, my solid choice 2496 is challenged by the UX1.. given my "conditions", is it worth the extra $20? and why?

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:47 am

You can't plug directly into the 2496, hence my comment about my mixer. Furthermore, with guitar you'd need a mixer that accepts Hi-Z (instrument level) input, otherwise you'd ALSO need a DI box. The 2496 only has line-level RCA inputs. For $20 extra, you get a soundcard that's capable of accepting your 1/4" guitar signal, includes guitar amp (and bass/vox) modeling, and plugs right into your USB.

The UX1 isn't the "ideal" solution, either, and has its limitations-- but in your price range, it offers more bang-for-the-buck for a guitarist than the 2496.

Greg

tomg · Post by **tomg** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:51 am

Lunch Money wrote:If you're doing absolutely everything virtually, get the 2496. If you're going to record audio, I'd consider other cards including the TonePort, even if you're not a guitarist!

We're both really happy with the UX2 for recording audio and guitar aren't we?

I also have a 2496 and I've got several good mixers but I have to say the same thing +1.

Even though you don't need it, I wish the VST was cheaper but I'll get it for my birthday anyway.

EDIT: BTW if you watch ebay for a while you can get one cheaper. My UX2 was $150 but a friend of mine got his for $115.

deaf dunderkwac · Post by **deaf dunderkwac** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:00 am

$99.00
Guitarport
has *more* limitations, none of which have anything to do with guitar though. If the UX1 would have been available I would have considered that instead. As such I bought the 'port and was very happy with my purchase, especially because of the 'proprietary' monitoring it gives you.

tomg · Post by **tomg** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:02 am

newbie_here wrote: So as you see now, my solid choice 2496 is challenged by the UX1.. given my "conditions", is it worth the extra $20? and why?

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

AT2 and GR2 the othe big software amp sims are $300 and $200. The Toneport sounds better for less. It's has better effects and amps. Plus you get a free rock solid USB audio card. Good stuff for a guitar player or bass player or even vocalist. It's got bass amps and mic modeling too.

Good Soundcard for ~$100?