What sound card and speakers to buy???

We have a small sound studio in a converted bedroom of our house. We practice as a 4 person band with a drummer, bass, 2 guitars, organ, microkorg and a few other little goodies here and there. I recently decided to upgrade our recording device (was using a Fostex MKII 8 track digital recorder that can only record 2 inputs at a time). I purchased a Alesis Multimix 8 USB (older version, non usb 2.0) and found the limiting factor to be the 2 stereo outputs via the USB cable to the recording software I was using.

Through research I have determined that we want to go the firewire route. I am looking for a Multimix 8, 12 or 16 firewire now.

So here's the question. What sound card should I get? Obviously it will need to have a firewire input, but other than that, can someone recommend a good sound card that also has great speaker sound output? I also would like recommendations on a computer speaker system. I would like to have a computer speaker system that I could also run our MicroKorg through as well.

Regarding the sound card, there is one hitch, it has to be a regular PCI card ( I don't have PCI-E on my recording computer ). Don't know how much of a difference this makes on a sound card?

So please, any and all, what are your recommendations on a PCI sound card that has a firewire port, and speakers to complement the new sound card? I'm looking to spend somewhere between $200-$300 for the sound card and speakers (wouldn't mind spending less if there is something good out there for a good price).

Thanks

- Ray

Yeah, that Mackie Onyx is really nice (unfortunately it's 5 times as much). I may go with something like that for the future.

Glad you brought up Monitors. Is there a speaker/monitor setup I can use with the mixer, the computer sound card and for the MicroKorg? What type would you recommend?

I have to get a new sound card for the computer anyways ( It doesn't have a firewire port right now ), So the question is, are all firewire sound cards created equal? If not, what are ya'll using?

- Ray

For sound cards. I would go with one of these 4: Edirol, Motu, Echo, or RME
For monitors, well whats your budget. I have a pair of JBL, but they cost over a grand. also, monitors are subjective, so i would definitly go with a name brand like events or dynaudio and take them home and listen to them in your enviroment.
Do not skinp on monitors, these are important.
Cj

Start cruising ebay, craigslist and any other for-sale venues where musicians frequent.

There are some things you don't want to buy used, e.g. microphones, but for some other things it's definitely the way to go. Reference monitors are one of those things.

Everybody ends up upgrading their monitors eventually, assuring a steady supply of second-hand entry-level speakers. Unlike band gear that gets thrown around a lot, studio monitors spend their lives on a desk and will still be 100% functional after a couple years' use.

Seriously, buy your monitors second-hand if you can. You'll be able to afford better ones that way, and monitors are far and away the most important component in your entire setup - the one area you do not want to "scrinp", to quote CJ :)

At closer look, I don't think the M-audio 1010lt is going to cut it. I would love to have 6 xlr w/ phantom power and 6 1/4 inch (3 stereo), but minimum requirements are 4 xlr and 4 1/4 inch.

bitflipper, I have been looking on ebay for a week or so now, checking completed items and such to get an idea of what things go for. The one thing I have noticed is that the good stuff (like Mackie) holds its value very well. As far as the speakers go, I will try and be patient to get a good set of used ones this way.

Robert, I'm watching a PCI card with a firewire interface, with the Texas Instruments chipset right now (on ebay).

Thanks everyone for your help.

Well I finally made some purchases.

BX5A's for the monitors for now (have a very small space, so this was taken into consideration).

Purchased a PCI firewire card which will be used in conjunction with the Mackie ONYX 1220 w/ firewire card option. I can't wait to get it (guy mailed it on Monday).

Very excited for the things to come in the near future.

The BX5A's sound really really nice. I'm currently using them through my Alesis multitrack 8 and WOW, what a difference in sound from some crappy $10 logitech speakers.

Thanks again everyone for all your advice.

I'm sure I'll have many more questions here in the near future.

- Ray