Computer Inputs

[gaslight]

Quick question, I'm having a computer custom built, and I'm wondering if there would be any advantage (read; point) to it having more than one audio input.

I was thinking perhaps then I could record two tracks or more into it once or something fun like that? Or maybe not I don't quite know how it works.

So yeah if anyone could shed some light.

[airborne50caliber]

some outputs to monitor from, and would be cool to have more than one input..

[moaner]

having more than one input would not be easy cheap. You'd simply have to buy a bigger, better souncard. you couldn't, for example, have more than one soundcard. you could have more than one usb audio interface, i guess... never checked.

[gaslight]

Would the guys who work at the computer shop know this stuff? Or are they not so much knowledgable on recording and all that?

[moaner]

Would the guys who work at the computer shop know this stuff? Or are they not so much knowledgable on recording and all that?

they should know a bit. just don't take what they say as gospel, they'll be more used to gamers etc.

[Aes820]

If you are serious about recording. Go for an external soundcard.
These usually come with all the input and outputs you need, and are not suseptible to noise from the guts of your computer. Like fan or CPU noise.

[gaslight]

I don't think I've seen one of those Aes, does that mean I'd have like a seperate little box that has my soundcard in it?

Would they be very expensive?

[Aes820]

Yeah. They are just a little external box. Usually can connect via USB or Firewire or whatever. They 'can' be expensive. But need not be too much so.
As for an actual brand or model, I don't know. But look around.

[gaslight]

I'll have a look on google, thanks man :thumb:.

[larry_emder]

I-Mic is external.........but the cable isnt very long, which is its only downfall

[moaner]

yeah

the imic is fairly minimalistic thought

M-audio make some great external soundcards.

[gaslight]

Decided on this one.

http://images.au.creative.com/images/corporate/artwork/art_sbAudigy2ZSPlatpro_Prod.jpg

It has some more inputs round the back, total of 5 stereo inputs, 6 stereo out.

[airborne50caliber]

iMic is great and dirt cheap, and great sound quality. but as moner says, its pretty basic and has a short cable.

[gaslight]

Yeah I settled on a Creative Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro for about $425 AUD.

[moaner]

Decided on this one.

http://images.au.creative.com/images/corporate/artwork/art_sbAudigy2ZSPlatpro_Prod.jpg

It has some more inputs round the back, total of 5 stereo inputs, 6 stereo out.

that looks suhweet

[airborne50caliber]

wow not bad! optical too! does some audio equipment have optical connections? never seen them except in dvd players..

[moaner]

wow not bad! optical too! does some audio equipment have optical connections? never seen them except in dvd players..

high end ones do.

although i don't actually think my pc has an optical inout... some recorders do.

[Knifeboy]

you couldn't, for example, have more than one soundcard.

Just to be annoying, I'd like to mention that you actually can do that.
I'm not too sure if you could do it in windows (but I think you can), but you definately can do that in linux.

[gaslight]

I was going to ask, what's the optical thing for? For showing those wavelength/waveform/whatever they're called things to the computer?

[cramboli]

better sound quality aren't they like its more 3dish sound to everything if im right i don't really know but im going on half knowledge half guess...

[moaner]

Just to be annoying, I'd like to mention that you actually can do that.
I'm not too sure if you could do it in windows (but I think you can), but you definately can do that in linux.

/points to single PCI connection for soundcard that he knows is there in his PC

[Amit]

Actually, I am fairly certain you can have multiple soundcards in your computer as long as you're careful about device conflicts.

I have quite a few PCI slots in my computer :p

[moaner]

I was going to ask, what's the optical thing for? For showing those wavelength/waveform/whatever they're called things to the computer?

optical is a digital connector that uses optical cable, preserving 100% of sound quality.

[gaslight]

Ohh... so would my computer need a special optical input, or what? :confused:

I still haven't given the guy the specs to build it so it isn't too late.

[Sinai Beach]

wait so can i buylike 3 cheap soundcards for 10 bucks each and intall them in the pci slots i have and record each channel seperate? has anyone tried this?

[gaslight]

Maybe, but cheap soundcards would probably give bad quality.

[Sinai Beach]

would this be alright quality ? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1164893&CatId=107

[Sinai Beach]

??????

[moaner]

fairly poor.

[Wintermute]

Some digital mixers and other pieces of kit will have an optical S/PDIF output, so if your soundcard has a matching input you can get very high quality input. I've never actually used mine, but it's nice to have the option.

That Soundblaster looks nice, it's a later version of the Extigy I use. 108dB SNR is very impressive for the price!

[gaslight]

Nice :). What does SNR mean?

[Aes820]

SNR = Signal to noise ratio.
It indicates the loudness difference between signal strength to background noise.
It is measured in dB. And the more the better.

[gaslight]

Ohh thanks man.

So like, a bad guitar lead would be said to have a low SNR? Because the hum would be the "noise"?

[Aes820]

SNR is normally only used in audio amplifying equipment.
If a cable causes noise it'll be due to a physical fault in the cable or something like external intereference. Not due to the general operation of the cable.

[Chippy569]

for a lot of imput channels i have 2 firewire imputs and i put two FIREBOX's (8chan each) in there, OH yeah.

[gaslight]

Nice, how much did that cost you?

[Adam Jones is GOD]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/creative_soundcards.html

Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit 5.1 External Sound Card - Retail (SC-026-CL)

For a man on a budget, who needs a new soundcard, but would like to encorporate recording needs, is that any good?

[Chippy569]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=63/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/184131/ pair of those, 600 each.

[Sinai Beach]

ok i got another sound card on my computer. i have a total of 2. i cant seem to find out how to record both at the same time on cubase sx. can anyone help me out?

[wicked_child]

I was thinking perhaps then I could record two tracks or more into it once or something fun like that? Or maybe not I don't quite know how it works.

So yeah if anyone could shed some light.

u can still do multi track recording with only one input. record the tracks then mix it.

[gaslight]

Yeah I know, but I want to be able to do multiple tracks at once.

[Sinai Beach]

i found out how to record threw 2 sound cards after an hour on cubase!!!!! you could as many as you want on there!!!! ill try to get a recording!

[airborne50caliber]

you need the right software too

[gaslight]

Yeah, I'm fine for software.