Which soundcard?

[Roland Master]

Which soundcard do you think is the best one to use with audio recording software? I currently have a SoundBlaster Live! Value. I have been attemptinh to record with it but have been experiencing many clicks and pops in my recordings. After optimizing my machine for recording, I usually don't get any pops or clicks in the first track, but in other tracks (where I have to record and play back other tracks simultaneously) I still get too many. I came to the conclusion from reading other posts that SoundBlaster cards are not suitable for serious recording.

Here are my system specs:

750 Mhz AMD Athlon
256 Meg RAM
SoundBlaster Live! Value
Windows 98 SE

I am using Fasoft's N-Track Studio to record. I have decided to purchase a second soundcard to record with, continuing to play back my cue mix with the SoundBlaster.

Which soundcard would be best for recording under these conditions? I am capable of expending between $200 and $500. Thanks for any advice in advance.

[El Gato]

Some of the mid-level cards by Midiman (Delta 66 or 1010) or Aardvark (24/96) seem like good deals. I would go for the Aardvark 24/96 because it has 4 XLR ins (which accept 1/4") and comes with the full version of Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 (eligible for Sonar upgrade for $99).

I was in the same board as you (had Althon 850 with Soundblaster Live). Pops and latency galore. And I didn't scrimp on the motherboard either (ABIT KT7). You might want to check if your motherboard has the VIA chipset because it's been known to cause problems with audio recording. Had so many problems with my AMD system (and I've built several machines before)

For my new computer, I decided to go back to Intel. Haven't had any issues with it (using an Aardvark Q10). Sure there are AMD advocates out there, but for music, it's not worth it to battle incompatibilities. Sure, minor slowdowns in Quake 3 are no problem, but wreck havoc on recording (there's been many a time I've recording a good take on my old AMD system only to be ruined by clicks and latency).

[pooprobot]

I was going to recommend the same thing. I've used the Midiman Delta 1010 and it sounded great. I've never used the Aardvark, but they are supposed to be good as well. They should be both in the price range you selected. If you have a little more money to spend, you can check out Echo's audio interfaces. I've heard bad things about the MOTU mic-pres and poor a/d conversion, although I can't say anything bad about them myself. I think everything else is a little too high-end in pricing

[fossil]

not that its a bad idea to upgrade from the Soundblaster but it may not be the card that is causing the clicks and popping. I am using a SBLive card on a slower AMD with less RAM and Win 98 SE and have never experienced a problem with clicks or popping, even when recording 20+ tracks (have used SBLives in 3 different systems and have not run into popping or clicking). It may be a problem that you will still have after you upgrade your soundcard and might be attributed to your motherboard or something else with your system.

As far as Aardvark goes I would thoroughly research the idea as I have sen people complain about them more so than other brands. The soundcard forum at www.audioforums.com is a good place for info.

[Roland Master]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I do not have a VIA chipset thankfully, and I do have a good motherboard. I don't have enough cash for a new computer so I'll have to make do with the AMD for now. The popping isn't terrible; usually only 2 or three per track, but it adds up after several tracks. I'm doing MIDI recording as much as possible to avoid it.

I'll probably get a Delta 44 or Echo Mia since I don't need a lot of inputs and rarely use vocals, I just need high-quality pop-free recording. Thanks again for the advice.

[jbow52]

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=1868

[Lucky #9]

I believe I read somewhere that you should record not at the 44.1 sample rate, but a the 48.? rate (can't recall exact fraction), then dither down later to 44.1 --- a glitch of some kind exists, don't recall exact details. Also, download the latest drivers for the card.

Playback at 44.1 is no problem.

[Roland Master]

Yes Lucky, that is correct. I was recording at 41.1 and switched to 48. I got fewer pops and clicks but still too many for my taste. I also made sure I had the latest drivers and had the optimal recording configuration for my machine before I even started looking at a second card.