soundcard question for digital recording

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 31 Aug 2006 11:24 am

I've been doing my recording with my computer and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 for years, with just myself I haven't needed a fancy soundcard since I can only play one instrument at a time anyway.

I'm planning to offer doing some small-time recording for local musicians and bands in the area and being limited to the ability to record only two tracks at once (left and right channels to different tracks) won't be enough.

Would a soundcard like this be good enough for small-time demo's etc.? Bear in mind that down here in this area it isn't necessary to have a studio with the latest greatest stuff. If they want that they go to Mexico City and pay the big pesos.

I'm thinking that the software (or hardware?) for the card should tell Cakewalk there are 10 outputs from the card and enable Cakewalk to let me assign any of the 10 outputs of the card to any track I want, from the Source pulldown, and record up to 10 tracks at once. Is that right? If not, is there a card in this low price range that would do it?[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 31 August 2006 at 12:29 PM.]

winston · Post by **winston** » 31 Aug 2006 1:29 pm

Jim
That sound card is plenty good enough. Cakewalk should recognize the 10 inputs plus the 2 you are using now. I have a Delta 44 and Delta 66, good stuff. winston[This message was edited by winston on 31 August 2006 at 02:32 PM.]

Karlis Abolins · Post by **Karlis Abolins** » 31 Aug 2006 1:38 pm

Jim, If you have firewire on your PC, you might want to look at the Firepod from Presonus http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-FIREPOD-10Channel-FireWire-Interface-with-Cubase-LE?sku=184131

It has 8 audio inputs plus two midi ports. It comes bundled with Cubase LE but the Cakewalk sonar forum shows people using it with Sonar. Much cleaner than buying a legacy card for a PC. I don't know if Proaudio 9 will support it.

Karlis

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 31 Aug 2006 3:24 pm

That card actually only has 8 analog inputs and outputs. The other 2 in/outs are digital (SPDIF).

I use the next product up in their line (Delta 1010), and have recorded several albums with it using Cakewalk Sonar. They certainly aren't the best sounding interfaces around, but in a small project studio they probably won't be your limiting factor. You can often find these used, as they have been on the market for a few years now.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 31 Aug 2006 4:45 pm

Thanks for your replies everybody.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 31 August 2006 at 05:46 PM.]

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 31 Aug 2006 6:01 pm

I have a Presonus firebox. It's has less inputs than firepod, but works the same. I also have a Line6 guitar port and a Roland voice module, which I use for MIDI input, tho the firebox can do that as well.

Thru it all you still need a soundcard. None of the above have soundcards.

A typical sequence for me is:
1. Find a song in BIAB that fits what I'm after. Delete the lead instruments.
2. Midi that that file into Cakewalk.
3. Add MIDI instruments into cakewalk. (horns, keys and the like.
4. Add Audio parts, guitar etc.

Still, got to have that soundcard pre-installed.

Karlis Abolins · Post by **Karlis Abolins** » 1 Sep 2006 7:42 am

Ken, I am curious about your statement that you still need a sound card with the firepod. If you hook up powered speakers to the main out ports, you will be able to hear your stereo mix without a sound card. The firepod is the sound card with both inputs and outputs. Am I missing something?

Karlis

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 1 Sep 2006 8:11 am

Right, Firepod is a sound card (and more).

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 1 Sep 2006 6:14 pm

JP, I have Delta 10 10lt and it has worked perfectly for me for 2 years. I had to buy a mixer with phantom power, and I never use the midi stuff, but it works great. Here's some clips using that card: http://www.swirlband.com/songs.html

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 2 Sep 2006 1:29 pm

Thanks guys, and JP, I think you've confirmed that the Delta 1010LT is the way for me to go. By the way, nice clips, I remember playing them before, really nice guitar playing and tone. Thanks again for all the help.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 2 Sep 2006 2:08 pm

Karlis. Maybe I'm wrong. I have never connected the output speaker jacks. I know in cakewalk there is an option to send the output to the presonus but I have never done it as I have no speakers connected. Live and learn. I'll have to try it.