Newbie Q's

[Donna]

Hey all~

I'm trying to understand what will be needed to venture into soundcard recording and saw a picture (I think) of what a soundcard is (via Steve on the 2 page thread in this subforum).

What is it's purpose, number one. Is it just an adapter w/ jacks, so to speak, to be able to plug recording gear into?

How is it hooked up to the computer?

What about mics (per the link I found below)...what possible configuration of other adapters (pre-amps?) or etc might I need? Another member here said I could hook up my 4-track Tascam 246 to the soundcard, so I assume I'd be using the 4-track for mic inputs but am not sure.

Any help greatly appreciated.

http://www.homerecording.com/sound_card_basics.html

Edited May 27, 2006 by Donna

[Steve]

Hey Donna.I don't know if you've seen this? Basic PC Recording It's the most basic ways to record with a PC. If you buy a seperate soundcard, it fits into an empty PCI slot. That's one of the white slots shown here in the top left section. It is certainly possible to use your 4 track as an input mixer.

There will be a thin cable from your CD or DVD drive which can connect to the card for playing CDs

More expensive soundcards will have multiple inputs/outputs. Usually taking a regular size jack plug.

Here's a picture of the M audio Delta 66. It has a seperate breakout box with multiple ins and outs.

To fit a card, you need to take the side off the computer . If you're not comfortable with that? Take your box to someone who is. Maybe the retailer?

Hope this helps!

[Prometheus]

I've been using Maudio soundcards for years now, and they are the shit... If you can afford even a basic version, it would be well worth it...

Whatever sound card you get, I'm sure one of the forumites here, myself for one, would be happy to write you out a procedure for installing it...

One thing I would say, make sure whatever sound card you get has 24 bit dynamic range...

Edited May 27, 2006 by Prometheus

[Donna]

Hey Steve, thanks a lot for the link and the rest of your post (no idea the computer side'd have to be taken off for example); the link is a good resource. Well written, concise yet explanatory.

It's a keeper

Now I do have a very good idea of what's required, so it helps a lot.

Edited May 28, 2006 by Donna

[Donna]

Aww thanks for the help offer, Prometheus. I know you guys will. I'll remember Maudio esp. now that it's all here on this thread.

My outlook since Steve's enlightened me, is that it will take an unusually indulgent husband to make this work. Lol, I'm much worse, I wouldn't hear of him crawling into my music space with his stuff. I think there's another crossroads this present moment, da**it.

Well, the threads ain't going anywhere - it's all here for me to pick up upon when I can (which may be next week, as I can't see very far, who knows what pc may drop in my lap?)

Until next time....

...which requires no card nor electricity

Edited May 28, 2006 by Donna

[Steve]

Hey! I think that little guy on the end is out of sync!

[nigel lawry]

Hey! I think that little guy on the end is out of sync!

all drummers are out of sync !!!!!!

[Donna]

Sad but true

[Donna]

I did venture to explain to Husband what would be entailed...he was unusually thoughtful in his replies. We agree a pc for me would be the best way to go.

We'll see how this pans out. I think it will, in time.

[Prometheus]

all drummers are out of sync !!!!!!

Yeah, you only have to punch the beat in to a drum machine once...

[Steve]

Yeah, you only have to punch the beat in to a drum machine once...