Sound card suggestions? at DVinfo.net

K. Forman · November 25th, 2003, 11:27 AM

I have been looking for a solution to capture audio from several sources, such as 4 or 5 mics. I used to use a Korg D12, which was great, except that it wasn't overly portable. Several people have suggested using a laptop P.C.. This sounds like it might work.

But the problem is the same as with most recording devices, only one, maybe two audio inputs. Are there any laptop sound cards that offer several inputs?

Joe Sacher · November 25th, 2003, 12:22 PM

Take a look as some the M-Audio's portable solutions. There are USB2 and Firewire devices that will allow that many inputs and outputs.

Martin Garrison · November 25th, 2003, 02:32 PM

I recently played with a setup using the Tascam FW-1884. I thought it was awesome. Tons of ins and outs, 8 mic pres, and automated sliders. The board sounded great, had super low latency and was running on a laptop that just barely whispered.

Like M-Audio's it connects via Firewire. I think it runs about $1200.

K. Forman · November 25th, 2003, 08:59 PM

I checked out the M-Audio site. I liked the cards, but they had breakout boxes. Is there something similar for laptops? Mind you, this is not a course I have decided on, just checking out my options.

I miss my Korg, but it just didn't cut it for field work. 40 gig HD, 12 channels, several inputs, and a mixer. It just didn't have battery power, which is why I'm considering the laptop. If I were to use the M-Audio interfaces, like the Delta USB 6x6, would I be able to send it to the laptop as 6 channels thru the USB?

And thanks for the help :)

Joe Sacher · November 25th, 2003, 09:38 PM

Here is a 4 in 10 out Firewire:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/fw410.php

Or USB interfaces:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/USBaudio.php

Helen Bach · November 25th, 2003, 10:54 PM

I used a Digigram 4 channel PC card in my laptop for a while before changing to a MotU 828. They are both good.

here's a link to one of the digigram cards

Best,
Helen

K. Forman · November 26th, 2003, 06:55 AM

Thanks Helen, I'll look into those. And welcome to the board :) I looked into the Lynx cards last night, but they were rather pricey. Very pricey, since they don't make cards for laptops, and you would have to buy some sort of adaptor that costs almost as much as the card!

November 25th, 2003, 11:27 AM	#1
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Sound card suggestions? I have been looking for a solution to capture audio from several sources, such as 4 or 5 mics. I used to use a Korg D12, which was great, except that it wasn't overly portable. Several people have suggested using a laptop P.C.. This sounds like it might work. But the problem is the same as with most recording devices, only one, maybe two audio inputs. Are there any laptop sound cards that offer several inputs?

November 25th, 2003, 12:22 PM	#2
Joe Sacher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 177	Take a look as some the M-Audio's portable solutions. There are USB2 and Firewire devices that will allow that many inputs and outputs.

November 25th, 2003, 02:32 PM	#3
Martin Garrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	I recently played with a setup using the Tascam FW-1884. I thought it was awesome. Tons of ins and outs, 8 mic pres, and automated sliders. The board sounded great, had super low latency and was running on a laptop that just barely whispered. Like M-Audio's it connects via Firewire. I think it runs about $1200.

November 25th, 2003, 08:59 PM	#4
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I checked out the M-Audio site. I liked the cards, but they had breakout boxes. Is there something similar for laptops? Mind you, this is not a course I have decided on, just checking out my options. I miss my Korg, but it just didn't cut it for field work. 40 gig HD, 12 channels, several inputs, and a mixer. It just didn't have battery power, which is why I'm considering the laptop. If I were to use the M-Audio interfaces, like the Delta USB 6x6, would I be able to send it to the laptop as 6 channels thru the USB? And thanks for the help :)

November 25th, 2003, 09:38 PM	#5
Joe Sacher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 177	Here is a 4 in 10 out Firewire: http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/fw410.php Or USB interfaces: http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/USBaudio.php

November 25th, 2003, 10:54 PM	#6
Helen Bach Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 120	I used a Digigram 4 channel PC card in my laptop for a while before changing to a MotU 828. They are both good. here's a link to one of the digigram cards Best, Helen

November 26th, 2003, 06:55 AM	#7
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Thanks Helen, I'll look into those. And welcome to the board :) I looked into the Lynx cards last night, but they were rather pricey. Very pricey, since they don't make cards for laptops, and you would have to buy some sort of adaptor that costs almost as much as the card!