ComfortableInClouds

Hello, this doesn't directly pertain to Max, but it does pertain to making/playing music so I thought the good people of this forum would still be able to help out.

I'm in the process of building a patch for live sets and have recently realized the importance of having 4 audio channels to be able to audition components of the mix before introducing them to the set. I know nothing about sound cards and was hoping people here could help me out w/ advice, suggestions, etc.

Right now, I'm just using the Core Audio soundcard that came with my Mac ProBook, OS X 10.4.11. I've done a little bit of browsing, and understand that there's external and internal soundcards. What's the difference exactly? Will an external sound card allow me to plug directly into a monitor system, or will I need another box (mixer?) to do that? Or does it depend on the sound card?

Pretty much, I've been composing electronic music for a little over a year, but haven't played any live shows so know nothing about how a live setup works, just that I will need to A) Audition material through headphones before bringing it into the mix, and B)Connect to a stereo system.

I'm in the process of building a patch for live sets and have recently realized the importance of having 4 audio channels to be able to audition components of the mix before introducing them to the set. I know nothing about sound cards and was hoping people here could help me out w/ advice, suggestions, etc. 

4-channel-sound-card

Look at the Presonus Firebox. Inexpensive, reliable. 4 in, 6 out. Good 

mic pres on channels 1&2. Quite a few maxers use them.

On 27 Aug 2008, at 16:54, Kyle Kaplan wrote:

> Hello, this doesn't directly pertain to Max, but it does pertain to 

> making/playing music so I thought the good people of this forum 

> I'm in the process of building a patch for live sets and have 

> recently realized the importance of having 4 audio channels to be 

> able to audition components of the mix before introducing them to 

> the set. I know nothing about sound cards and was hoping people here 

> could help me out w/ advice, suggestions, etc.

Look at the Presonus Firebox. Inexpensive, reliable. 4 in, 6 out. Good  
mic pres on channels 1&2.  Quite a few maxers use them.

>
> Hello, this doesn't directly pertain to Max, but it does pertain to  
> making/playing music so I thought the good people of this forum  
> would still be able to help out.
>
> I'm in the process of building a patch for live sets and have  
> recently realized the importance of having 4 audio channels to be  
> able to audition components of the mix before introducing them to  
> the set. I know nothing about sound cards and was hoping people here  
> could help me out w/ advice, suggestions, etc.


I know this seems a bit more expensive, but also have a look at the MOTU 828 mk3.

This has 8 physical ins and outs, also you can add on ADAT and SPDIF, also has 2 more inserts in the front of the rack.

It also has DSP effects and can be used as a separate mixer without having to connect to a computer. The connect to the computer is by firwire and also can be daisy chained with another 828

I had a MK2, and have just ordered an MK3 and i cant wait.

Motu are amazing with interfaces, but are more strong with OS X than PC. Because PC's are always changing with all its updates.

Im not saying you should just go for this. But for the money and the extras that are with it, it is impossible to not take it. Thats why i love the Motu, it gives me everything.

You should have a try of one, and do some reading on it, pretty much everywhere swears by them

>Right now, I'm just using the Core Audio soundcard that came with my 

>Mac ProBook, OS X 10.4.11. I've done a little bit of browsing, and 

>understand that there's external and internal soundcards. What's the 

internal are to put INSIDE of a computer - you can not do this on a macbook pro

>Will an external sound card allow me to plug directly into a monitor 

>system, or will I need another box (mixer?) to do that? Or does it 

depends - To be able to plug a sound card directly ina sound system 

(I mean sound system as in PA - not home stereo) you want to have the 

outputs balanced - either on "stereo jacks" or XLR.

cheaper sound cards will have unbalanced outs (on jacks or RCA) - and 

you'll need either a mixer or at least DI boxes

(I use RME sound cards - expensive but very good - and yes, I like to 

>
>Right now, I'm just using the Core Audio soundcard that came with my 
>Mac ProBook, OS X 10.4.11. I've done a little bit of browsing, and 
>understand that there's external and internal soundcards. What's the 
>difference exactly?

>Will an external sound card allow me to plug directly into a monitor 
>system, or will I need another box (mixer?) to do that? Or does it 
>depend on the sound card?
>

depends - To be able to plug a sound card directly ina  sound system 
(I mean sound system as in PA - not home stereo) you want to have the 
outputs balanced - either on "stereo jacks" or XLR.

cheaper sound cards will have unbalanced outs (on jacks or RCA) - and 
you'll need either a mixer or at least DI boxes

(I use RME sound cards - expensive but very good - and yes, I like to 
plug them directly in the PA amps)

kasper
-- 
  Kasper T. Toeplitz
noise, composition, bass, computer
http://www.sleazeArt.com

thanks for the bits of wisdom. looking over these options, ill probably go with the PreSonus since I'm a poor student, but it's good to know the kind of quality out there. Both the MOTU and the RME look pretty slick.

Yeah, the PreSonus is very nice for the price. 

I used a few PreSonus' in my time in studios and bedroom studios, very good and work well on both PC & Mac.

I myself and a poor worker, its taken me a while to save up for my MK3.

Yeah, the PreSonus is very nice for the price. 
I used a few PreSonus' in my time in studios and bedroom studios, very good and work well on both PC & Mac.

MOTU Traveler and UltraLite-mk3 are ok for this kind of job.

MOTU Traveler and UltraLite-mk3 are ok for this kind of job.
but yes RME... :-)
--
elt@altern.org
http://pan-etc.net
--


4 Channel Sound Card?