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A simple sound card question

Forum CPU & Components : Sound Cards - A simple sound card question

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I have always used onboard sound for computers since I have other audio setups that are higher end for entertainment purposes. Now I have a nice audio setup on my computer, but ran into a problem with one of the jacks on my onboard sound, so I popped in an old crappy sound card to test things out and everything worked as intended. I've decided to go ahead and pick up a nice sound card as a result of this discovery.

I am a musician and was going to explore some possibilities for home recording soon anyways, so I figure I'll kill two birds with one stone and set myself up for my guitar recording needs while taking care of my desire for premium computer audio. The problem is that sound cards are my weakest area in computers, so I'm basically starting from square one on research.

I've been looking at some various offerings and am strongly considering the E-MU 0404 sound card, but I am not clear as to whether or not it can cover the basic sound card needs I have, or if it is solely built for recording purposes. The basic computer sound needs I have are pretty simple. I need sound in all applications, premium audio quality for music listening needs, and the ability to plug in a mic for voice communication. I'm trying to determine if the E-MU will cover all basic sound card duties with the addition of its recording capabilities, or if I would need an additional USB sound card or something similar to cover the basics.

here is a link to the card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829110012

Thanks for any info anyone can provide.

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This is a very powerful entry-level card that has been around for 3 years. I've installed a number of them - primarily for MIDI set-ups. The cost of the card is worth it just for the software which is included in the package. The sound quality and processing is very good.

The E-MU 0404 is not for the faint of heart. You will need a pre-amp for your mic & guitar inputs. I would count on dropping by Radio Shack to pick up $30 worth of cables depending upon your setup.

Stereo output to a pair of speakers also required a $6 cable from radio shack to convert L/R leads to a single pin on my setups. I can't help you with the digital output (not part of my deal) but will assume that it's top notch (since it is basicly a pass-thru) but remember that the card IS NOT a Dolby decoder if you are into that for your gaming/DVDs.

I will assume, however, that the digital pass-thru could strream a 5.1/7.1 signal to a Dolby-capable decoder.

Good Luck! The tutorials are your friend . . .LOL

ps - On my first install I had a setup issue (which I can't recall) and tech support helped me on the spot over the phone - had me up in minutes!

Reply to wisecracker

Quote :

but remember that the card IS NOT a Dolby decoder if you are into that for your gaming/DVDs.

What exactly does this equate to in terms of capability? No sound in gaming/dvd applications? Limited sound capabilities?

Reply to Homeless

What exactly are you going to use it for? MIDI? Sound recording and mixing? It makes a difference, but not by much. There are different specialty cards for musicians that claim to be the next best thing since sliced bread, but dont buy into the hype.
The only thing that you might need a higher-end recording card for is if you plan on sampling multiple inputs at the same time, or if you need dedicated support for an external sound generater (Roland SC-88 or whatever, but even then you can just use MIDI)
The main point is that the SOFTWARE that you use is really what's important. I use Cubase and have never looked back for total sound control and manipulation. I have an original SB Audigy Platinum card from 2000 with the Audigy Drive. Dont need anything more, really for sampling music and instruments.

As far as the card goes, if you plan on having one or two inputs, I suggest the Soundblaster series with the Audigy Drive that takes a 5 1/4" external drive slot to add a whole bunch of inputs (line-in, phono-in, mic-in, optical in/out, MIDI in/out) The sampling rate on all these cards is the same, so the quality of your connection and the types of cables that you use are important for maximum fidelity. It handles all of your MIDI connections (your Music software handles the connections and control of your external MIDI devices). You can use the Windows Recorder or your music software to create WAV files. This is the BEST and biggest for true sound reproduction, just make sure that you have a big HD and have the sampling rate all the way up.
Hope this helps

Reply to DJ_Jumbles

Your sound capabilities are not limited in any fashion. You have breakout input/output analog L/R cables and S/PDIF Digital Audio Input & Output via RCA jacks and Optical Toslink.

You may use the analog output directly to a pair of powered stereo PC speakers, to an amp or pre-amp, mixer, an amp with speakers . . .and on and on . . .

You may use the S/PDIF RCA/Toslink digital inputs/outputs to connect any digital audio device including amps, receivers, DAT/CD recorders, mixers, etc.

The only disclainer . . once again . . . when you use the analog input for your guitar, mic, etc., you have to use a preamp. You have a right channel input and a left channel input. You can connect each L/R channel directly to a mixer with 4, 8, 16 inputs, etc . . .

You can join the L/R channels with a y-adapter - or you can expand them with a y-adapter. . .

The 404's I installed came with *lite* versions of cubase, sonar and wave something-or-other . . .

For $100 you can't beat it . . (plus that $30 for cables and adapters!)

edit: I forgot to mention - the Emu 404 is made by Creative as an entry level card to compete against m-audio . . . . whose entry-level card is around $200 (if I am not mistaken ) . . .

edit #2: m-audio has a new card for $130 that provides for Dolby digital surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through - don't know what software comes with it . . .

Reply to wisecracker

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