BG, tell me what you know about sound cards...

[Suburbanelite]

So I've been recording music unprofessionally for a few years. Recently, though, I broke out an old Toneport GX (that for some reason I'd stuck in a box years ago and forgotten) and have been recording multi-track stuff for a semi-professional project with Audacity.

The songs that I've recorded sound great through the Toneport, but when I plug my headphones into my computer (which is running the factory default Realtek drivers/soundcard) some songs that are heavily layered produce an awful crackling. I don't think anyone else can hear this crackling. I've sent songs that have the crackly nastiness to the project's leader, and he didn't mention anything about it. However, I don't want to have to hear it when I'm listening to my own music. Maybe someone here can listen to one and tell me what they think.

Everything I have read points to needing a new soundcard to eliminate the cracklage. Any suggestions on what brands/models are the most fit to record music? What cards handle multitrack audio well?

[Guyverarmor]

I used to use this for my sound card on my old rig: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...743&CatId=2771

But now I use the on-board with my new rig I have. When I get paid this week though, I will be getting this one:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...531&CatId=2771

Hope this helps

[Amastacia]

If you're going to buy a discrete soundcard, stay miles the hell away from Creative.

They were king of the hill, until they just basically stopped innovating and stopped writing working drivers.

The Asus Xonar is a very good, moderately priced alternative that is as good as or better than a Creative X-Fi, but has actual support, and actual drivers (esp. for Win 7, where older Creative cards just won't work, and new ones won't work well). I believe anything from the DX/D1 on up is worth a look. The X indicates PCI-e, so D1 = DX, D1 is PCI, DX is PCIe. D2 = D2X, D2 PCI, D2X PCIe.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132007

Edit: There's a more expensive version that has an integrated headphone amp, if you're interested in that sort of thing:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132010

[Guyverarmor]

Honestly, I have never had a problem with Creative, but then, everyone has their own experience. I have used them on multiple computers, and not once have I had a problem you have described. But then, as said before, each person is different. I'm sure there are people who have had problems with Asus Xonar....

[isladar]

If you're doing music stuff, is it imperative that you have a card? An audio interface is external, with all sorts of lovely connections and goodies, and excellent sound quality. Most soundcards now are marketed for gaming / home theatre, so they're gonna have 7.1 and that's it. I still have an M-Audio Delta audiophile 2496, which even though it's roughly eight hundred million years old is fucking stellar as far as recording and sound quality.

Realtek drivers are shit, btw. The only thing I'll use them for is for headphone playback while I'm recording vocals, since the quality to my ears isn't important.

The other thing you need to consider is inputs/outputs.. most of the soundcards people are linking have 1/8" (standard headphone) jacks which is great.. for shitty computer speakers and.. headphones. I love my audiophile since it's all 2x RCA in and out, which makes it easier (for me at least).

Is there any chance that it's your headphones? Do you hear the crackling when listening to your speakers? I hope to god you're not doing playback for general listening through Realtek.

If you're serious about music/recording, I would suggest an audio interface (if you're plugging in guitars/mics), or research soundcards that are built for musicians, not home theatre. The other thing to consider is better speakers/monitors.

[isladar]

Shit, forgot also, you might want to check out ASIO4ALL drivers, might even fix your shit without having to buy anything else.

[Suburbanelite]

My music is serious as a heart attack.

It's definitely not my headphones, as I've tried several different things to isolate the source of the crackling, and eliminated this pair of 'phones. I think I may have some clipping issues, so I'm going to look into that. I'm also going to check out those ASIO drivers. Thanks for the tips, y'all.

[isladar]

ASIO drivers have saved me lots of times dealing with Realtek bullshit, I'm kinda mad at myself that I forgot about them when responding earlier. Please update!

[Timwakefield]

I had a ton of problems with my Creative card as well. Part of that stems from the fact that they took forever to support Linux, or at least release the source code for their drivers, and I had to use some shitty workaround to make it function. Even in Windows though, recording through a Toneport UX1, I never really loved the sound I got. Probably wouldn't buy Creative again.

[Kerberoz]

Creative is fucking awful, especially with driver support. Some of the X-Fi cards still do not work 100% properly with Win7, even with third-party drivers. Expect to buy a new card every couple years if you go with Creative. Their software is also bloated and buggy, and virtual surround doesn't work in many games.

Switched from X-fi to a Xonar Essence STX last year, and I haven't had a single issue with it yet. Easily the best card on the market for headphone users. Built-in headphone amp, great sound quality, software actually works...