no soundcard needed. Go with a fire wire interface.

RME HDSPe AES 32 , awesome especially if you are going otb and doing midi. Solid driver. But this all is subject to your interface and your needs.

I plan on a doing a little MIDI there's only one rapper that i work with I do more live. i'm pretty noob at this stuff what is AES/EBU?

ScruffMcduff, post: 393179 wrote: best soundcard in your opinion no money limits go!

You said money wasn't a concern so, IMO, that is the best.

AES is this:

[="http://en.wikiaudio.org/AES_EBU"]AES EBU[/]="http://en.wikiaudio…"]AES EBU[/]

From what you just said, take Kurts advice, stay with firewire. A firewire interface/converter combo.
[[url=http://="http://www.rme-audi…"]Fireface 800[/]="http://www.rme-audi…"]Fireface 800[/] are excellent, and there are others less expensive.

This also just came out. Looks excellent. USB is not my choice but its getting better:
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.apogeedi…"]Apogee Quartet - 4 IN x 8 OUT USB audio interface for Mac, Logic, Pro Tools[/]="http://www.apogeedi…"]Apogee Quartet - 4 IN x 8 OUT USB audio interface for Mac, Logic, Pro Tools[/]

Okay that's a lot to take let me explain my situation. I'm getting about 20 to 30 thousand from a settlement and would like to build a studio. I have to get a facility and was planning on building a live room and control room. I'm not worried about the price of the material for the framing since I am a former carpenter and my step works for one of the largest cabinetry shops in the country. what would your suggestion be audiokid?

Be smart and start out with the PreSonus StudioLive. 30 grand is nothing. My converters are 2/3rds of your budget and you aren't even talking acoustic treatment.

Check out the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.presonus…"]24.4.2[/]="http://www.presonus…"]24.4.2[/] StudioLive. Its rocks and its all you need. Once you start making the big bucks. you will know alot more and maybe, I say maybe , you might choose to invest in something more. That's the best advise I can give you.

Check out PreSonus website on that console and look for youtube video's on it. I've posted about 20 here and there are a hundred online.

cool I just downloaded the Studio One 2 demo and the samplitude pro x demo. do you if Reaper is compatable with studio live? I've beening using reaper and I really like it.

also any other recommendations as to what to get a long with it? like I said I'm a noob.

If you get a StudioLive console, Studio One is all you need, I bet. They work together really well and all for under $4000. You will be rocking and love it. Its an amazing system. The 16.4.2 is around $2500. See your local dealer.

cool sounds awesome I think that's the plan then.

Here are some links:
1.)

2.)

another question I have is the pre insert balanced direct outputs. do those go to a soundcard and can they used instead of the firewire or is it firewire only?

The console will function as a live and digital system. You can also use outboard pre's.

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Both

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oh so in order in a studio you have to use firewire correct?

No, not necessarily but the firewire is slick and hooks the entire console directly to your DAW so you can record and control the basic functions. Its amazing. Its the deal of the century.

If you want to use the console for live, you simply use the analog outs and connect those to your amps, monitoring etc. And, you can also record an entire show via both and even control the console from an ipad.

One console, a laptop or desktop PC and you are ready.

okay and what can you use the pre insert balanced direct outputs for?

Its always nice to add different flavours of mic pre's. So, if you want that option, its capable via the inserts. You can also add other types of hardware in there as well. Its an option feature all mixing consoles should have.

The direct analog outs are useful as feeds to other sources like alternative recorders. Could be something like a tape machine for vintage style recording , backup your recording to something like an HD24 etc.

So you have the firewire out or direct outs. All can be used simultaneously.