need sound card help!

[6_strings_for_life]

OK this past summer I purchased a MXL V63M condenser mic to do some home recordings. I have been trying to use Cakewalk Guitar tracks pro 3 as my recording software. Come to find out that the sound card in my computer is not strong enough to handle the equipment. I have a Dell Inspiron 8500 Laptop that I purchased two years ago. What sound card would you reccomend for that application? I have heard that for notebooks, the company 'sound blaster' is the best option. If anyone has any ideas or opinions on what i should look for please respond.

thanks in advance!

[sunglassesatnight]

You could always go with a USB or Firewire box instead of a soundcard if you're on a Laptop. But if you want one, the easiest thing would be a PCMCIA card. But with that, quality begs a price, as this one http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/242514/ is about the only one with quality,

One another note, since it's a condensor mic, I assume it needs phantom power, for which you need a mic pre or a mixer. You can always run the out from the pre/mixer on a standard 1/4" and use the 1/8" adaptor to the mic jack.

Check this out if you can do Firewire.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/701364/

[charliemike]

Check this out if you can do Firewire.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/701364/

He can with a PCMCIA card

[6_strings_for_life]

You could always go with a USB or Firewire box instead of a soundcard if you're on a Laptop. But if you want one, the easiest thing would be a PCMCIA card. But with that, quality begs a price, as this one http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/242514/ is about the only one with quality,

One another note, since it's a condensor mic, I assume it needs phantom power, for which you need a mic pre or a mixer. You can always run the out from the pre/mixer on a standard 1/4" and use the 1/8" adaptor to the mic jack.

Check this out if you can do Firewire.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/701364/

well i was hoping to not have to spend that much money to remedy this situation. I already have a pre mic (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/703606/ ) . Do I still need all that? and for the record I have no idea what firewire is. But thaanks for the help so far! Keep them comming!

[sunglassesatnight]

Does your computer not have a mic input right now?

[6_strings_for_life]

Does your computer not have a mic input right now?

Well I use the premobile to hook the mic to my computer via a USB port. I Know that i need somekind of soundcard because cakewalk cant use its playback feature and sometimes cuts off ends of recordings. I just dont know what kind would work best.

[Jenns4Ever9501]

I have a similar question: how do these USB devices work? I got a Dell Latitude C600, and my integrated sound card sucks, it's 'causing noise in the recording, and even noise reduction filters don't get rid of it all, so I'm kinda bummed that I can't do any decent recording. So anything you guys think might work to get me up and recording would be appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. This is also my first post, even though I've been reading for a while, so lay on the "DMBTabs, welcome to it."

[sunglassesatnight]

I have a similar question: how do these USB devices work? I got a Dell Latitude C600, and my integrated sound card sucks, it's 'causing noise in the recording, and even noise reduction filters don't get rid of it all, so I'm kinda bummed that I can't do any decent recording. So anything you guys think might work to get me up and recording would be appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. This is also my first post, even though I've been reading for a while, so lay on the "DMBTabs, welcome to it."

Yes. Welcome to it.

But first we need to know what you're trying to record. Are you just going Guitar--> Souncard now? I'm thinking that's what you implied. I have to assume you're not using a condensor mic, because that would require a mixer or a mic preamp to power it.

On to your question if all that is correct. The USB devices, MBOX, etc., are cool things. You get 1/4" in put for the guitar, RCA ins on some, and XLR(mic) ins; which provide phantom power, all off the bus from the port.

There's a problem with USB devices, though, and that lies in the way USB itself works. Since it sends information, in this case music, in packets, quality can be degraded. Sometimes that's a problem. I've heard some stellar recordings from USB devices, and never really heard anything bad.

Firewire solves this problem if you have it. It's a constant flow of data, which eliminates the possibility for degradation.

Good luck! Stick around.

[Jenns4Ever9501]

So I have another question: given the choice, if funds were not a deciding factor, which one would you (or any of you) prefer: a USB device, or a PCMCIA sound card? I mean in terms of ease of use, and sound quality, obviously, because I'm extremely anal retentive about the clarity and quality of my sound. Any input, again, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. - No, I was NOT using a condenser mic, and yes, that's what my original intent was: guitar -> mic -> soundcard.

[sunglassesatnight]

So I have another question: given the choice, if funds were not a deciding factor, which one would you (or any of you) prefer: a USB device, or a PCMCIA sound card? I mean in terms of ease of use, and sound quality, obviously, because I'm extremely anal retentive about the clarity and quality of my sound. Any input, again, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. - No, I was NOT using a condenser mic, and yes, that's what my original intent was: guitar -> mic -> soundcard.

I have heard some exceptional recordings out of USB devices. I have also heard some exceptional recordings from Cardbus devices. The only products I could find for PCMCIA either had only one 1/8" input or they were very much like the USB devices, but driven through an included card.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/242514/

That's what I'm talking about. If you are most anal and have the scratch, that thing above is gold. And Musician's Friend is giving away a condensor mic with it right now, which the unit will power. Good luck.

[Jenns4Ever9501]

Yeah, I am most anal, however, lack the scratch to dish out a few hundred bucks on something like the one you suggested. I think I might end up going through a USB device, I could use the 1/4" input as opposed to running a 1/4" into an 1/8" adapter. I was PISSED when I heard noise in the recording from the sound card, I had had that problem with other machines, so I knew it was going to pose some SERIOUS problems, seeing as my primary reason for enthusiasm when I got my laptop was portable recording. Thanks again for your input.

[sunglassesatnight]

Yeah, I am most anal, however, lack the scratch to dish out a few hundred bucks on something like the one you suggested. I think I might end up going through a USB device, I could use the 1/4" input as opposed to running a 1/4" into an 1/8" adapter. I was PISSED when I heard noise in the recording from the sound card, I had had that problem with other machines, so I knew it was going to pose some SERIOUS problems, seeing as my primary reason for enthusiasm when I got my laptop was portable recording. Thanks again for your input.

No problem man. I know about the recording analty. I fight the noise everyday. I've yet to win.