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I started out mixing Hip Hop music a couple of years ago, using nothing but Logitech 2.1 speakers and a Sound Blaster Audigy soundcard. Amazingly, I have gotten some pretty good results considering my equipment. I am now in the process of taking it to the next level. I currently have a set of Tascam VL-X5 active monitors being shipped to me and have started thinking it would probably be a good idea to give the Audigy sound card the boot. I do not record the vocals on this setup, they are all recorded in a friends home studio and imported into my setup. I use Nuendo 3 and rewire Reason to mix the vocals in. So I really do not need a card with lots of inputs. I am on about a $400 dollar budget so maybe you can point me in the right direction.

Also, how much of a difference can I expect in sound quality with a new card? I was looking at Hammerfall cards on ebay? Keep in mind I am just mixing and not recording. thanks.

-C

Check out http://www.myspace.com/shutdownproductions and see what I was able to do with my Logitech/Audigy setup, haha.

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bwmac Fri, 04/06/2007 - 09:48

i wish dementedchord would have expaned on his thoughts.
I dont see the problem with this audigy card
maybe someone will explain it to me. :D

Audigy 4 Pro Processor

Advanced hardware accelerated digital effects processing
32-bit digital processing, which maintains a theoretical 192 dB of dynamic range
Patented 8-point interpolation that reduces distortion to inaudible levels
64-voice hardware wavetable synthesizer
Professional quality digital mixing and equalization

High Definition Audio Quality for Playback and Recording

Playback of 64 audio channels, each at an arbitrary sample rate
24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 96 kHz sample rate
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at 96 kHz to analog 7.1 speaker output
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo digital sources at 192 kHz to stereo output
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz.
Supports Sony/Philips Digital Interface (SPDIF) format of up to 24-bit/96 kHz quality. Selectable sampling rate of 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz
Low latency multitrack recording with ASIO 2.0 support at 16-bit, 48 kHz and 24-bit, 96 kHz resolution.

*(Latency performance may vary based on system configuration)

FireWire® (IEEE® 1394) Connectivity

Compliant with IEEE 1394a specification
Supports data rates of 100, 200, and 400 Mbps
Supports up to 63 FireWire (IEEE 1394) compatible devices in a daisy-chain configuration
Supplies up to 3 Watts to FireWire (IEEE 1394) compatible devices
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (AES17) = 0.003% (2V Rated Output) Frequency Response +/-3dB: 10Hz to 46kHz

I hear what your saying though ShutDownProductions
I would also like to upgrade and have been looking around to see what the best equipment and method out there is.

dementedchord Fri, 04/06/2007 - 12:08

actually my comment was directed at the fact that he had (forgive me) junk for hardware and a $2k application.... which generally sets off the crack alarms... the numbers you site for the audigy pro4 on the face of it dont look bad... historicly however with the soundblasters they havent always lived upto the hype... for instance some of the claim 24 bit at 96k but imediately on recieving it from external sources they would bit reduce and down sample to 16/44k... this is a well documented problem dont take my word for it search this and other forums.... BTW it would be interesting to see if the dsp chip on that thing is supported by anyother co's in terms of say VST FX's or simply there own... also patented 8point interpolation sounds like a dithering algorythm to me... ie:bit reduction... it's a shame that all you need to do to be a "pro" piece is claim it... YMMV.... stick around someone else may comment...