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Re: [ARSCLIST] USB music card vs. onboard digitization
Joel Bresler wrote:
So my question: I am told that a computer can be a "noisy" environment
in which to digitize audio. I'd welcome opinions about whether I am
likely better off using my PC's sound card (it's a fairly high end HP
Windows Media PC) or the Sound Blaster USB card, which would at least
sit apart from the main unit and might offer a quieter alternative.
Rule #1 (at least, for me): If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If the sound of what you have is good, use it and don't worry about
whether it could be better. Adding cards, killing existing audio,
resolving interrupts and the like are worthwhile if the sound is not
satisfactory for your purpose, but if it is good enough, use it. Check
for the noise floor of the HP's card and see if you can pick up any
persistent tones with spectrum analysis. Check the real dynamic range as
well. Do all that visually with Audition or the like.
I doubt that you'll find audiophile assessment of a distinctly
non-audiophile card such as the Creative. However, if it truly uses the
ancient Ensoniq chipset it will be just fine. (The Live Value line used
a modified front end which is useless for music. At least early on, the
Live line used the Ensoniq.)
Mike
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