Sound cards are a big no-no!
Greetings, O Wise 1....
I've been in the freelance VO world for a few years now (35 in the radio industry, though - still at it, too) and have a good home studio set-up, but I've always wondered about my sound card, which is an integrated version in my Compaq Pressario. It's a Realtek AC97. From time to time I've been dogged with flutter and stutter while tracking (which I only discover on playback), which is frustrating, to say the least. I've upgraded the memory, closed down unnecessary programs, and it still happens. I have a good condenser mic, nice dry environment, good pop filter, and I know how to work a mic so it isn't that.
The computer geeks I talk to say the integrated sound card is crap. I broke down and got an Edirol UA-4FX USB external, but not sure if it's what I need. I may wind up returning it.
What's the best sound card for VO out there? I've heard Delta is good.
Regards,
Gordon
Welcome to the VO Dojo Gordon,
Weren't the last years of "real radio" great? Now its all pre-programmed, voice tracked, corporate promotion. Where's the creativity?
But on to your question....You were using a sound card? Perhaps in 2003, but not in 2008! Todays producers are requiring audio that is better than "computer audio." While the Creative Labs or Turtle Beach cards were great for their day, they are essentially obsolete for the purposes of professional voice over.
A "DI" or "Digital Interface" is the only way to go. I feel this way for a couple of reasons. one, by getting the digital conversion process out of the computer and eliminating tons of noise that even a good PC spatters across the sound spectrum. Second, these external processors are designed to do what we want without having to also act as a MIDI interface (Although, most do) or a video game joystick interface. (Which none do)
A professional studio requires professional equipment. Sound cards are for MP3 music and maybe recording an answering machine greeting.
I guess the question I might ask is why would an Edirol not be what you need? Read what its manufacturer, Roland says about it.
http://www.roland.com/products/en/UA-4FX/index.html
You have more choices for DI's than deciding which Starbuck's, on which corner you want to get your Late' at. Delta, M-Audio, Presonus, Edirol, Digidesign, Lexicon,Tascam, etc. etc...All of them are better than a sound card. Once you plug one into your computer, whether its a USB or Firewire connection, it essentially becomes your sound card, sending your computers audio to your studio monitors.
If you splurged on the Edirol, you're fine, not only will it be your "DI" it has some other features you might find useful like compression, noise gates and reverb. Like many DI's, its USB powered so no external power source is needed. The drawback is that you cannot do a bunch of these things with it at the same time, not that you'd have to. It can only handle so much processing and if you try to sample at 96 Khz you'll run into trouble. You have no need for that sampling rate however.
When asked about DI's, I, as always, say, "keep it simple." M-Audio's stuff, even, their FAST Track DI is excellent for your needs. You don't need to over-purchase to get professional sound. $100 bucks should cover you until you feel you need to and can afford to upgrade. I used my trusty M-Audio Mobile-Pre for three years until it got zapped in a nasty power surge following a 3 day black-out. It actually still works and I use it for a back-up. I splurged and bought a Presonus FIREBOX which was not perfect with my old Mac Power-Book. Once I got my new i-Mac, It has been very tame and sounds magnificent, despite my voice.
I would suggest you do some research. Go to your local gear dealer and ask the staff what works best for your applications. My buddies at my local Guitar Center always are great to talk to about whats new and what is best for me.
The more expensive DI's, have multi-channels, which, unless you are recording the Boston Pops or Eminem, you don't have much need for. From a point of view of economy vs. 5D sound, I'd go economy. But since you already have the Edirol, try and explore what it does before you give up on it.
Your geeky pals are correct. Use your sound card to run the joystick for Microsoft Flight Simulator or Pac man.
Master VO out!
((((((GONG))))))))
Comments
Dan, just to thank you for your excellent and insightful post. I don't think I had a real concept of what a sound card really did, and how much sense to go with DI - which I already have anyway. I'm going to stick with the Edirol for a bit and get used to it.
In the meantime, thanks for setting me straight.
Posted by: Gordon Gibb | January 16, 2008 1:51 PM
WHAT?!?!?
I'm sorry. I know this was posted over a month ago, but this is some of the worst, most confused advice I've ever heard/read.
First off, your "DI" and "Soundcard" are the same thing. The ONLY difference is how they connect to your computer. You're right, that I tend to recommend EXTERNAL SOUNDCARDS for people now-a-days. They're easier to setup, and you can use the same box between a desktop and laptop. However, there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with using an internal soundcard for recording (as long as it's not a GAMING soundcard). Deltas, EMUs, and more all have fantastic, high quality recording capabilities, and many will feature a break out box to aid in cable management and to give additional recording ins and outs. Creative popularized this with the Audigy line of cards (which during the days of mini-disc and DAT was an impressive card for the money, $100 would get you Firewire, spdif, toslink, rca, and 1/4").
This idea of internal cards suffering from electromagnetic interference is bunk. The only thing that will make a difference to a modern DAW is the quality of the A/D converters, and we all know that Realtek AC97 doesn't cut the mustard for recording. Punch an EMU 1212m into a pci slot, on a well cooled computer, and I guarantee that no one will be able to tell the difference between it and my M-Audio Firewire 410 (I use both).
Lastly to preach about "professional" audio and then recommend a Fast Track is simply irresponsible. A single XLR input (NOT PHANTOM POWERED), max 45db gain, 48Khz sample rate. You're hamstrung with this soundcard, and if you ever need to step up your equipment, this will be the first to go (it wont even take a mixer easily). The Mobile pre is much better (more versatile) with stereo inputs with phantom power, but cap your recording at 16-bit, and drop your gain ANOTHER 5dB. Both cards have a barely adequate SNR, and at $100+ you're SO MUCH BETTER off with an internal card like the Audiophile 2496, or one with a break out box.
If we're talking pro, REALLY professional, you need to start with M-Audio's FW410 or higher (which you can find for $260 these days).
You want:
-24-bit/96 Khz recording or higher
-Greater than 100dB Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
-Greater than 100dB Dynamic Range
-Greater than 60dB Gain
-AT LEAST 2 analog inputs (preferably with phantom power)
-Multiple line outs for speakers/monitors (especially if you want to a/b)
-You'll most likely want to avoid USB1, in favor of USB2, Firewire, or PCI for greatest through put (the faster information moves, the lower the latency on your card)
So now the question is do you REALLY need pro? Are you recording sessions, or auditions? The Mobile Pre is the best auditioning card on the market, imo, but I'd never EVER use it for a session.
If your studio was working ok before, but the weak link was the Realtek AC97, then maybe you SHOULD look at the Audiophile 2496. It'll replace the RTAC97 as far as your Compaq is concerned, your cabling will be almost exactly the same, and with better capabilities than the fast track, at the same price.
Just my two-bits...
-SomeAudioGuy
Posted by: SomeAudioGuy | March 4, 2008 8:09 PM
I have done some major updating up my equipment recently, I had a pretty good sound card, and almost got rid of any noise through lots of adjustments. Everything from the soundcard adjustments to mic processor, to mixer, to even running the cables differently. (I am a huge fan of the Behringer equipment) Took lots of time and frustrating because there was still a small amout of noise that was driving me crazy. I am too much of a perfectionist. Finally I went and bought a MBOX from digidesign... pluged it in, and there was ZERO noise. There is no going back for me now. Maybe I over did it a little, but I am extremely happy with the results!
Just my experience
Chad Brazier
Posted by: Chad Brazier | May 1, 2008 8:31 PM