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    External Sound Card Comparison.

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Awakened, Apr 8, 2012.

  1. Awakened

    Awakened Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys, my current rig is an Asus G73 laptop + an Akai MPK Mini+ Reason 5. I want to take advantage of sampling abilities so in order to record a clearer sound, I decided to upgrade the sound card. My two options are below and I would like to know which is more beneficial. I do not plan on buying external speakers but I use a good pair of headphones. Other than production, I use the system heavily to watch all sorts of media and gaming.

    Option 1: Buy the Creative Labs X-Fi Go Pro USB Sound Card at TigerDirect.ca
    Option 2: Buy the Creative Labs SB X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB at TigerDirect.ca

    Please let me know which would suit my needs better and why, and thanks in advance

    Edit: I've also checked out the Asus Xonar U3 and it seems to be pretty well-received. Thoughts?
     
    Awakened, Apr 8, 2012
    #1
  2. hackness

    hackness Notebook Virtuoso

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    In terms of better quality for recording, I'm not sure. But I'd say SB X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB if your headphones have multiple speakers and if you are into surround sound. I've the SB X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB myself and been using it with Turtlebeach's Z6A and Psyko's Carbon, both are 5.1 headsets, 8 speakers in the Z6A and 7 speakers in the Psyko Carbon. The surround sound was pretty good I'd say. The X-Fi Go Pro USB is probably just a 2.0 sound card that has the same functions like the SB X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB, you can pretty much get the same result on the SB X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB by switching to headphone mode and enable THX surround.
     
    hackness, Apr 8, 2012
    #2
  3. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    How does the soundcard have to do with recording for you I thought that its all digital via software? or are you actually using a microphone or analog out to the sound card for recording?
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Apr 8, 2012
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  4. Awakened

    Awakened Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, I'm planning on renting high-grade mics whenever I find sounds that I want to record and sample but I want to invest in a good external sound card since it'll be beneficial for any sort of media/gaming.
     
    Awakened, Apr 8, 2012
    #4
  5. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    May get a good usb mic then if you want to record or a XLR to USB converter. Those cheaper sound cards probably are not worthy of analog input from a high end mic.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Apr 9, 2012
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  6. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    One option (out of several in this kind of range):
    http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/scarlett_2i2/

    Scarlett 2i2.
    Mic Preamp + phantom power.
    AU, RTAS and VST plugins for EQ, compressor/limiter, etc.
    Includes Live Lite 8, if that means anything to you.
    24/96. USB.
    Recording - of course, playback - definitely, gaming - meh (no positioning, etc - though it remains to be seen if the e.g. U3's Dolby positioning is any better than the slightly dreck implementation on the Essence STX).
    ~$150.
     
    Vogelbung, Apr 9, 2012
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  7. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

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    I too would suggest the Scarlett 2i2 for USB, or the Echo AudioFire 2 or 4 for Firewire.
     
    Syndrome, Apr 14, 2012
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