Advice For Future Purchase:Audio Card For Music Production

Jarminx

Orb Junkie
Member
Messages
172
Location
Louisiana, USA
Hi Peeps! So this is a question that goes along the current research I am conducting for a future purchase.. I research my products for months before I make a purchase and so far, this has paid off greatly. Built my first computer this way, researched for 6+ months before I built it. Had one RMA and so far, no other issues running an AMD Win8.1 system.. :)

So my question for you all today is this.. I'm a gamer, new to PC gaming but a previous console gamer since years ago (13+ years).. I'm looking for a decent sound card that is great for audio production, preferably with electronic music like trance, house, electronica, ect.. But not just great for music production, decent to great with regular music listening and also gaming. My computer is my main computer that pretty much does everything. I game, surf the net, run 3D renders, and I'd like to do more with music production. My current sound is straight off the motherboard on-board audio drivers and I can tell you the sound is thuddy at best.

What would you recommend? I'm not unlimited when it comes to finances, but I wouldn't mind spending $100-$200 on a decent sound card. Even $250 wouldn't be all that terrible..

What am I running on my computer for producing music? Right now, just FL Studio.. I plan to get Adobe SoundForge though as I used to use that for slicing and it's also easier for reverse sounds and sections within the music.. I can also render out a high quality in FLS and use SoundForge to quickly save in different qualities for online uploading.. But, that's just what I use it for, you can do a lot more with it of course.. :)

Thanks in advance for those participating in recommendations.. I'd also like to say I'd most appreciate those with actual experience in what I am wanting to use the card for. I know how to use Google too so please don't recommend if you only just did a little research yourself ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Own Build
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera 8-Core 4.0GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Desktop Processor
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 AM3+ AMD Motherboard
    Memory
    16GB (x2 8GB) G.Skill Ripjaws 1866mhz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 980TI 6GB FTW ACX 2.0+
    Sound Card
    Built in HD Audio, THX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 48" 1080p LED TV, Dell 27" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080, 3840x1080
    Hard Drives
    Two Samsung 850 Evo 250GB SSD's, Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200rpm HDD, Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm HDD
    PSU
    Rosewill LIGHTNING-800 80+Gold Certified
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000 (Blue)
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i Liquid Cooler
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 MX Cherry Red Mechanical Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Average 5mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome, Firefox, Torch
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    Custom surround system: Pioneer receiver with DTS and Dolby Digital decoders, Sony speakers/sub (5.1)
I have a Recording Studio (using Sonar X3 Producer). The general consensus on most recording forums is that a PC sound card is crap for recording and low latency. You are better off considering a "real" recording interface device. The USB connected units seem to have the edge now, with Firewire sort of becoming passé. USB devices generally have lower latency too.

My main recording interface unit is a Roland Octa-Capture. It is 8 analog input channels, but there are units with less input channels. The Focusrite Scarlett units seem to be gaining in popularity too. Presonus is headquartered in Louisiana and sells recording hardware and software.

The "gearslutz" forum would be a good place to look or ask your questions. Gearslutz.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Back
Top