• Hardware
  • Need advice for purchase of external sound card
2016/11/25 19:36:30
caajpa23
Hello:  I have Music Creator.  I want to purchase an external sound card so I can use VSTs and options from the Cakewalk Sound Module.  I have Windows 10 64 bit.  I want something simple.  Does anyone have any ideas?
2016/11/26 10:54:15
dwardzala
Look at Focusrite.  They have several inexpensive, but quality USB interfaces.  The 2i2 is particularly popular.
2016/11/28 10:07:50
AT
How much do you want to spend?
 
At the entry level just about any company will do - there is only so many ways to manufacture a $5 pre and converter chips are limited to a few companies.  As Dave says, Focusrite is popular, as is TASCAM, which is owned by Gibson, which owns Cakewalk.  It ought to work fine.  The most important aspect is to buy from a store you can trade it for another interface is your first doesn't work out of the box.  I don't suppose you want to spend your first month of you recording career doing tech support?
 
If you have $400-500 either the TASCAM UH-7000 or the US 20x20 get my vote (and money since I use them).  The 7000 is a "premium" stereo interface that punches above its weight and the 20 is a multiple in/out unit of their cheaper interfaces if you need to do drums.  It sounds just about as good as the stereo unit.
 
Above that - well, let us know.  RME, Lynx and others all have their proponents.
2016/11/28 10:30:15
Cactus Music
There is a lot of choices.
Make a list of your requirements first.  It's good to think about the future. Top of my basic audio interface list is the Tascam us 2x2. At that price point it beats the competition with features and possibly the pre amps. 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/US2X2?adpos=1t2&creative=163158737695&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAiAyO_BBRDOgM-K8MGWpmYSJACePQ9CtoiIVnMYAiDihsRDtnIfhm0P6mBDfYGn8PNv_ksPlhoC3njw_wcB
 
 
Here's my shopping list to ponder: 
 
What kind of connectivity do you require? and how many of each.
These are some of the options:
XLR, 1/4",  Combi jacks,  RCA, ¼” line level, ¼” Instrument level ,MIDI, SPDIF, ADAT,MADI
How many ins and outs do you think you'll need now and in the future?
Are they accessible?  Front or rear 
Are all ¼” jacks Balanced?  
Is there a true stereo pair? Some don’t have a matched set of inputs.
Pre Amps will fall under the “you get what you pay for”  rule, but check out the reviews anyhow.
A/D convertors will also fall under the same rule and generally all are good these days.
Are there peak level meters or just a little LED for each input?
Are there channel Insert jacks?
Are there separate controls for Monitor level and headphone level?
Is there a blend control for mixing Source with Computer ( DAW) ?
How many Headphone jacks? A level for each?
Are the input pads or line / Instrument toggle switches on the front, back or software controlled?
Is it a metal box or cheap plastic? Is it light and portable or large and bulky, Rack mountable?
Does it have an on / off switch?
Does it use Buss power or a power supply? Buss power can have issues with noise and Phantom power. Look for at least an optional power supply.  
Does it have DSP effects built in?
Does it use a GUI mixer? Having a software (GUI) mixer adds more options.
Can it be used as stand alone? Some interfaces are also handy as a small mixer.
What are the Round Trip Latency (RTL) specs? Do you need low RTL for real time processing?
Low RTL is going to be at a higher price point. A $200 interface will have hidden buffers etc.
Zero Latency monitoring is not the same as RTL. All interfaces have some latency.
Zero latency is just marketing hype for monitoring directly from the interface.
And most important of all, Does it have top notch drivers for your OS. 
What is the word on support from the company?
Does it come with free software, An LE version of a  DAW you would like to try?
 
Everyone will recommend the interface they have chosen, that doesn't mean it is the right one for you. 
2016/11/29 11:05:20
bitflipper
Cactus is right: start with requirements and make a list of interfaces that meet them. We tend to forget that all audio interfaces are pretty good these days. Choose your interface by features first, and don't get sucked in to the lure of expensive-must-be-better.
 
But it's not clear what your requirements are. You don't need an external audio interface to use VSTi's. For software synthesizers you can do pretty much anything with your integrated audio that you can do with an external device.
 
Is the limiting factor latency? IOW, do you have a hard time playing soft synths because the sound lags behind hitting keys on your controller? Or is it a controller you need, more than an external sound card? Or perhaps a combination MIDI controller / audio interface like this?
2016/11/29 12:43:13
dwardzala
Actually a better buy might be to purchase the new version of Home Studio which apparently has WASAPI compatibility which will allow low latency using an onboard sound card.  It is (much) less expensive than an audio interface.
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