Recording 2 Tracks on PC: Need Sound Card Suggestions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of recording both voice and instruments on a computer, specifically the need for a setup that allows for two separate tracks. Participants explore various sound card options and recording techniques suitable for a new PC build.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that two sound cards might allow for separate track recording, questioning if this is a feasible solution.
  • Another participant proposes the idea of recording voice and instruments separately and combining them later, although this approach has been dismissed by the original poster.
  • A participant mentions the desire for a two-track system to achieve better results, noting the need to capture acoustic sounds from the guitar while drumming on it.
  • There is uncertainty expressed about whether USB sound devices provide better isolation from computer noise compared to traditional sound cards, with a reference to potential latency issues.
  • A specific sound card, the ASUS Xonar D2, is recommended by one participant, highlighting its features such as EMI shielding, high signal-to-noise ratio, and a good software bundle, along with a comparison to another sound card, the Creative X-Fi.
  • Discussion includes details about the Ableton Live software, noting its limitations and capabilities for multitrack recording, which may be relevant for the user's needs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to achieve the desired recording setup. Multiple competing views on sound card options and recording techniques remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the effectiveness of different sound card types and the implications of recording techniques on sound quality. Specific technical details about latency and the capabilities of recommended sound cards are mentioned but not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in home recording setups, sound card specifications, and techniques for multitrack audio production.

Pat M
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My son wants to record both voice and instruments on his computer. He has a mixer but it only records (on pc) one track for both. He needs two tracks.
Would two sound cards be able to do this? This is for a new pc that I'm buying so any suggestion what I need would be a big help.
 
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What about recording both separately and then combining them later?
 
This has been tried and he thinks he could get better results with a 2 track system.
Also he wants to pick up some accustics from the guitar as he drums on it. He plays a similar style as Justin King.
 
I'm not sure...
but are USB sound devices better (better isolated from the computer's noise?) than sound cards?

http://www.soundware.co.uk/pages/soundcards.php
has a discussion of possible "latency" issues.

Possibly useful:
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/26/234221
 
Last edited by a moderator:
A good quality sound card with an an excellent software bundle is the ASUS Xonar D2. If I didn't get such a good deal on my Creative X-Fi, it would have been my next sound card.

Lots of features... EMI shield, 7.1-channel, 118dB spec SNR, good cable bundle, digital and analog I/Os...

http://techgage.com/print/asus_xonar_d2_sound_card

Ableton Live is a music production tool that handles all stages of the production process, from recording to multitrack sequencing and arranging. The Live Lite Xonar edition has some of its features disabled, and can only record 64 simultaneous tracks, but retains most of the functionality necessary to produce high-quality multichannel recordings. Live Lite is also limited to two audio input channels and four audio output channels, as well as only two audio effects per track. While this obviously won't let you fully kit out a small recording studio, it's plenty useful for homemade recordings, and gives a taste of what's possible with modern DAWs.

In the past I've never really had a tendency to sway towards one company, but over the past few years ASUS has been turning out some high quality equipment at fair prices. I sometimes second guess purchasing the the X-Fi over the Xonar.
 

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