Recommended Sound Cards in New PC Build

[Light_of_Aether]

I'm working on a build of a new PC and I'm wondering if a discrete sound card would be a good idea. I haven't decided on the other components of the PC, yet, but the overall budget is $1000. For music making, I use Reaper with EWQLSO Gold and EWQLSC. What sound cards under $100 would you recommend? Thanks!

[Inclinedtomusic]

About a sound card under $100 you may check Toms hardware for it or just read about this at Amazon. I think its even less than your budget : Sound Cards . Hope that helps.

[Darangen]

What kind of music would you be making?

If you're not doing any live recording, you can probably get away with a soundblaster card.  If you are doing live recording you really don't want to skimp on your audio device, there are decently affordable 1-2 channel audio devices for usb or firewire out there for under $250, I'd recommend something like http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSAUDIOBOX

Ultimately if you're building a new pc for audio, you want to make sure you've got a good motherboard, a good processor and a decent chunk of ram if you're using EWQL stuff. Furthermore, sites like https://pcpartpicker.com can help you make sure your components are compatible.

If you don't need an audio interface for live recording, you could go with something like this: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/RtjZ9W

 

[prophetik music]

i use an external interface and like it. i'd suggest something simple in the 75-100$ range. 

if you've got questions about the rest of your system's compatibility, let me know. i do a lot of builds for people in the community. i can probably help.

[Light_of_Aether]

Thanks for the help, everyone! I've decided against a sound card for now, but may add something in the near future once I get everything set up. I appreciate the advice, though.

On 11/30/2016 at 4:25 PM, prophetik music said:

if you've got questions about the rest of your system's compatibility, let me know. i do a lot of builds for people in the community. i can probably help.

What do you think of my build? Here's the link: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/f9Zmm8. This is my first PC build so I may have overlooked something. With this build I'm going for the ability to do some small simulations (hence the Xeon) from time to time, some gaming, and, of course, arranging music. Thanks!

[Wiesty]

Buy an external. Go on ebay and find an old Digidesign Mbox 2...will cost you literally peanuts and has great inputs....

[Flexstyle]

Or if you want something that has a warranty, check out the Steinberg UR series or the Focusrite Scarlett series.

Also hold up, where's your SSD boot drive that is definitely something that you will want?

[prophetik music]

18 hours ago, Light_of_Aether said:

Thanks for the help, everyone! I've decided against a sound card for now, but may add something in the near future once I get everything set up. I appreciate the advice, though.

What do you think of my build? Here's the link: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/f9Zmm8. This is my first PC build so I may have overlooked something. With this build I'm going for the ability to do some small simulations (hence the Xeon) from time to time, some gaming, and, of course, arranging music. Thanks!

i don't think it's good. i'll contact you directly.