Do I need an audio interface?

[goodkeys]

I searched quite extensively on that question but couldn't find an answer: does a soundcard enhance the audio-quality in comparison with a Realtek onboard chip?
I hopefully will soon have the Blue Sky Exo's hooked up to my laptop. I'm doing no recording at all with it, just running Sibelius, Cubase and EWQLSO Gold. An Oxygen 61 midi keyboard is connected via USB.
My question is if I would benefit from an external soundcard audio-quality wise. Or is the onboard chip just good enough to drive the Blue Sky Exos and EWQLSO? Thanks to Asio4all the latency is ok for my setup, so it's really just about the audio output quality

[KRStudio]

An audio interface will sound better (much better depending on which) for playback/DA. For recording/AD it will be lightyears better. If you plan on doing anything other than listening only, get an interface.

[BudgetMC]

I recently upgraded a (desktop) computer from a Soundblaster Audigy card to an E-MU 0404 USB interface. No doubt about it, the audio playback was improved. I don't have much use for the pre's or inputs right now, but I had read a lot of good things about the 0404's converters, and figured I might find myself using the spdif inputs at some point.

[goodkeys]

Thank you for your answers. Sounds like i could need a decent audio interface.
Can anybody recommend a simple and cheap audio interface (preferably firewire, but usb is also ok)? As mentioned no recording done with it, just to enhance DA quality. I'm running Vista 32bit right now but will probably update to Windows 7 soon (haven't decided between 32bit and 64bit). If it had low latency drivers (working with EWQLSO in Cubase) that would be fine

[goodkeys]

Oh i forgot the most important thing: the interface should be around 100$ at maximum.

[ohmicide]

you're not gonna get much for $100 interface wise but i guess you could check out one of those soundblaster cards or maybe something similar?

and you got pretty low end monitors so maybe you wont even hear a difference

[awakened]

echo audiofire 2 used?

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by goodkeys

Oh i forgot the most important thing: the interface should be around 100$ at maximum.

You might find an E-MU 0202 for that on ebay... until just a few days ago MF had b-stocks for $79, but they seem to have sold them out.

[echoclerk]

if your Music is written / Recorded, effected entirely in the Cumputer then a better soundcard will actually make Absolutely No Difference to your final Ouput files - as these are also produced Offline and do not actually use the Soundcard in their rendering.

In your situation a better Audio Interface will just mean that your listening experience may be slightly improved. but will have no actual impact on the underlying audio files.

So I'd say its a waste of money right now. if you are not recording external sources through the Interface.

[tINY]

Without better speakers, put your $100 in a mayo jar and keep saving....

When you get new speakers, get some with digital inputs.




-tINY

[goodkeys]

Thanks for the clarification echoclerk. Seems to be best to me now to save my dollars for getting better monitors first

[Simon The Gooch]

Umm, your internal Realtek card is going to produce a lot of noise from electromagnetic interference. You can pick up a Native Instruments Audio 2 for around $100 which would definitely give you much improved sound quality for monitoring as well as native ASIO drivers for lower latency with less CPU overhead.

I can't personally say that I've got experience with the Blue Sky EXO speakers but even on crappy headphones the Realtek internal cards generally sound like shit. I think you'd be very pleased with the upgrade if you picked up a little USB interface.

[tINY]

HeadRoom Total BitHead @ HeadRoom


This is actually a good purchase. It has other uses, but it will drive active speakers well.

But, then, you'll be wanting good headphones....





-tINY

[echoclerk]

Originally Posted by Simon The Gooch

Umm, your internal Realtek card is going to produce a lot of noise from electromagnetic interference. You can pick up a Native Instruments Audio 2 for around $100 which would definitely give you much improved sound quality for monitoring as well as native ASIO drivers for lower latency with less CPU overhead.

I can't personally say that I've got experience with the Blue Sky EXO speakers but even on crappy headphones the Realtek internal cards generally sound like shit. I think you'd be very pleased with the upgrade if you picked up a little USB interface.

come on? this is total mis-information. did you read the OP? It sounds like he is completely ITB. so whilst there may ne noise on his Montioring System via the Soundcard there will be NO actual impact on the Audio Files on the computer. or say what he burns to a CD.

At this stage I would recommend buying some average Studio Monitors. As - this will help you with Mixing and getting levels moreso than a new SOundcard. (which will not make as significant a difference to your LISTENING Experience.). but Again Monitors themselves will not make your Music 'sound better' but they will enable you to get a better Mix of your music.

[echoclerk]

oh those Exo''s are Studio Monitors.

well In that Case - I'd probably just see how they go for a while with teh Realtek. and save my money for a bit until I know what I really need next.

Which may be a better Audio Interface. - But be sure of WHY you are buying one. - it will give you better D/A A/D when interfaceing with External inputs and Outputs or may give you lower latency. but won't do much else at all.

[Simon The Gooch]

Originally Posted by echoclerk

come on? this is total mis-information. did you read the OP? It sounds like he is completely ITB. so whilst there may ne noise on his Montioring System via the Soundcard there will be NO actual impact on the Audio Files on the computer. or say what he burns to a CD.

I was talking purely for monitoring, not rendering. Feel free to get all defensive though. :P

[Leon EA]

Originally Posted by echoclerk

if your Music is written / Recorded, effected entirely in the Cumputer then a better soundcard will actually make Absolutely No Difference to your final Ouput files - as these are also produced Offline and do not actually use the Soundcard in their rendering.

In your situation a better Audio Interface will just mean that your listening experience may be slightly improved. but will have no actual impact on the underlying audio files.

So I'd say its a waste of money right now. if you are not recording external sources through the Interface.

But since monitoring causes mix decisions, crappy DA *does* have an impact on the files you create on the hard drive. I have Realtek in my laptop, have tried NI Session and TC Konnect 24 interfaces as well. The audible difference between the 3 is *huge*. Based on all the raving on the EMU converters, despite their low price, its probably a good start.
BTW: Realtek often causes instability for heavy load apps, even when using generic ASIO drivers for it.