Sound Blaster Live

[jukebox604]

Hi I am just getting into MIDI play back and was curious what is the best sound card out there in the consumer market for play back?

Thanks.

[malsony]

i know that the pro guys are not using SB Live!, they use the more professional audio cards!

i am using SB Live! 5.1 bought in HongKong, i am chinese, living in Mainland China.

i think this SB Live! 5.1 is ok, i am content.

however, some friends of mine (producers in records companies) are using the very audio card SB Live! 5.1!

[Subwoofer]

The soundblaster is very good for games.:)

[jo blo]

soundblaster is ok for straight recording but that is all , if you want to play virtual synths you'll havt to go pro.

[Jobu]

I use an old SBlive Mp3+ to monitor playing of miditracks in conjuction with free soundfonts (which are wave samples of instruments) I downloaded on the net. Beats the heck out of GM sounds and the $1k+ synth I used to use. I am sure there are better sounding solutions out there but i doubt I could get them at a price of < $80.

P.S. if you want a professional recording card I wouldnt suggest an SBlive, they are noisy. Another cheap solution without having to buy another sound card would be to try something like http://home.att.net/~audiocompositor/ with some free GM set soundfonts that can be downloaded from the net.

[hui4o]

try soundblaster audigy.It's realy good for the money.Best money / quality balance.

[gazza_guitar]

try some of the yamaha xg cards verry good sound

[tripex]

The turtlebeach and TerraTec soundcards are very good. I've heard of a urtlebeach card, that has 256 midichannels and several studio equipment connectors like midi keyboard and 128 channel mixing panel connector.

[Layacy]

Sound Blaster?!? What are you guys on? That is not to be used for the true pro audio musician. An Audiophile is probably the best bet depending on your studio, buddy. Go to a Guitar Center near you ( you will get ripped off though ) and talk to them about what you got and what would work best for you...believe me, it won't be any type of Sound Blaster!

[maia]

I'm looking at a midiman 24/96, it's about the only one I can afford. I won't be recording any bands so don't need multiple inputs. It is comparitively cheap.

[ArK3R]

I'm using a poor mans soundcard (SBlive!) and not a day goes by that I wish i had spent a bit more money on something better!
If you plan on using soft synths in real time than go for something capable of a half decent latency!

[seacruzinal]

Soundblaster Audigy - - -well worth the extra money !

[lovehermadly]

Audigy for sure!! It rules, whether you get the mp3 one or the gamer one!!

[lovehermadly]

Oh by the way, for professional uses such as recording you wanna get a great card like M-Audio or Ardvark!! Alot of $$$$$ though!!