Sound Card / Digital Audio Cables

CaZeek · #1 12-10-2004, 02:06 PM

Hey LS,

I'm wondering what model soundcard you suggest for captures.

Also, I know you preach that cables mean a lot to the final product, and I currently have a full set of monster cables for all of my video needs. However, I haven't gotten too heavy into audio (aside from software- mainly Soundforge). Do you use digital audio cables when capturing? For playback? I know VHS/S-VHS source wouldn't have digital audio, but as far as from my cable box or DVD player, or from a DVD originating from an analog source. Is there a noticeable advantage to this? I'm not sure if you've received or gotten a chance to watch the sample I sent you yet, but I'm not seeing any issues with my audio (I think everything from that DVD is off of digital cable), but maybe I just don't know what I'm missing?

Thanks again!

admin · #2 12-10-2004, 02:38 PM

Analog audio, SOUNDBLASTER LIVE cards (non-AUDIGY) and TURTLE BEACH cards (Santa Cruz is good) for audio. Those are ones I suggest.

Those ultra-fancy cards do not play nice with video cards, so avoid those "high quality" cards in the 3-digit price range.

"Digital audio" is not something you can really capture, not easily at least. That's where you get into surround sound, etc, and few sources would have that anyway (usually just DD pay-per-view off satellites).

dminches · #3 12-13-2004, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admin

Analog audio, SOUNDBLASTER LIVE cards (non-AUDIGY) and TURTLE BEACH cards (Santa Cruz is good) for audio. Those are ones I suggest.

I would avoid the soundblaster cards. They resample every audit bit stream. So, if you are going from 48k to 48k it is going to unnecessarily resample. I would recommend at a lower price range M/Audio Audiophile 2496. I think that card is under $100. For under $400 I would recommend the Digital Audio Labs Card Deluxe.

The Turtle Beach cards are good ones too.

admin · #4 12-13-2004, 10:58 AM

Analog audio really has no "bit" rate, so I'm not sure it really applies much. The SB cards are "louder" too, but I sometimes wonder if that adds a slight inherent hiss. The TB cards are probably the better choice.