SoundCard

A sound card is the device, that representing the only gateway between a computer and the real world of sounds. It converts analog signals to digital & digital signals to analog. If you want to record live sound into your computer then you will need right soundcard. In fact, it is a heart of your home studio. Here we talk about an external soundcards, which are specially developed for music creation. These are connectable to computer via USB or Firewire cable.
External Soundcards are convenient - they can be used with desktop or laptop computers and are easily portable. You will probably have less noise in your signal, because it won't be picking up any interference from the computer inside systems.

How to choose an External SoundCard?

By choosing a sound card you should take notice to properties below.

• Make certain, if soundcard will fit in your computer, to hardware and software configuration.
• Capability of low latency sustained on recording.
• Least one balanced analog TRS inputs for connecting instruments. Desirably, with plug diameter 1/4" (6.3mm).
• One ore two XLR-microphone inputs, complete with phantom power for condenser microphones. Sometimes are XLR-inputs combined with TRS connectors.
• Necessary analog and digital outputs, there may be various connectors.
• Master output level control opportunity.
• Input control for hardware direct monitoring and pad switch for gain limiting.
• Headphone output (¼” TRS) with level control.
• Many of the controls and connectors should be accessible by the front panel. That`s handy for operating.

Some people had complained that their sound card don`t work correctly. From user reviews may find dissatisfactions about any type of a devices. I think there is solution rather in sound card set up. A good idea is choosing an interface witch are fully suitable or a little better for your needs.

Let`s check out some great External Soundcards

USB Audio Interfaces

M-Audio Fast Track Pro

M-Audio Fast Track Pro is a USB Audio Recording Interface, created for use in Home Recording studio applications. I want to highlight the properties of this device, because I use myself M-Audio gear. Fast Track Pro has multiple inputs & outputs. It`s a quality external device, perfect for music creation and recording.
I use it as main SoundCard for recording & listening audio. For my case of needs, this device working flawless & to be my prefer choise.

Installation the Fast Track Pro is easy. Basically, you run the included driver disk and go through the installation steps. Features near-zero latency direct hardware monitoring and low-latency ASIO software monitoring. That gives you the input and output flexibility to record voices, acoustic instruments, guitars, keyboards and more. It basically can record two lines simultaneously. It offers two front-panel microphone/line inputs, complete with phantom power for condenser microphones. The Fast Track Pro also provides balanced and unbalanced analog outputs – perfect for sending audio to any set of speakers or monitors – as well as inserts for outboard effects and S/PDIF digital I/O. Compatible with the most popular PC and Mac music software.

Features:

• Insert jack (¼” TRS) for outboard processors
• 2 balanced outputs (¼” TRS)
• 4 unbalanced outputs (RCA)
• S/PDIF digital I/O with w/ 2-channel PCM
• S/PDIF out also supports pass-through of AC-3/DTS surround-encoded content
• 1 x 1 MIDI I/O with activity LEDs
• Headphone output (¼” TRS) with level control
• Headphone A/B source switch for DJ-style cueing
• Input/playback mix control for hardware direct monitoring
• Mono switch for input/playback direct monitoring
• Master output level control
• Near zero-latency hardware direct monitoring
• Low-latency ASIO software monitoring
• Powered via USB or optional AC power adapter
• Kensington lock port
• Mac and PC compatible; class compliant with Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher

Fast Track Pro sound card is very good choise. A sound card includes all you need on getting started, and it has been a lot more potential. Cost around 200$.

More USB External Soundcards from M-Audio

Less efficient interface: Fast Track USB allows to record 1 line at a time. Cost around 100$.

More efficient interface: Fast Track Ultra allows to record 4 lines simultaneously. Cost ~ 350$.

USB Audio Capture Recording Interface. This one is another good choice, if you need a quality inexpensive USB external soundcard. A device had an aluminium case. A front panel is similar to M-Audio Fast Track Pro, but rear panel I/O connections are for a different mode.

Main Features:

• High-resolution 24bit/96kHz performance with pro-grade mic preamps
• Onboard analog compressor/limiter with variable attack times and threshold control
• USB bus powered, low-noise, wide-range power supply
• Two mic preamps and XLR/TRS combo jacks with 48V phantom power, Hi-Z port for guitar-direct connection, S/PDIF optical I/O, MIDI in/out
• Ground lift for studio and live stage use
• Bundled with Production Plus Pack from Cakewalk By Roland

This Edirol quality interface cost around 250$

Serious pro audio interface from M-Audio. If You need an extra quality recording tool, then buy it!
FireWire Interface that doubles as standalone 2-Channel Preamp and A/D converter.The M-Audio ProFire 610 FireWire audio interface transforms your Mac or PC into a powerful 6 in/10 out a recording studio. Premium digital converters deliver high-definition, 24-bit/192kHz audio throughout the signal path. Two preamps offer clean, transparent sound with low noise and exceptional headroom. The M-Audio ProFire 610’s onboard DSP mixing provides a totally flexible recording experience, perfect for creating multiple, independent monitor mixes.
The user-assignable master volume knob gives you flexible control over output levels. MIDI I/O allows you to connect keyboards and other outboard MIDI hardware. The half rack space recording interface also doubles as a standalone two channel microphone preamp and A/D-D/A converter. ProFire 610 is compatible with the most major audio software, including Pro Tool M-Powered 8, making it an excellent choice for personal, high-definition recording.

Top Features:

• 6 x 10 simultaneous analog/digital I/O
• 2 preamps with award-winning Octane™ technology – pristine sound quality
• flexible onboard DSP mixer – create multiple unique cue mixes
• up to 24-bit/192kHz – high definition digital audio
• user-assignable master volume knob – customize your setup
• functions as 2-channel mic pre/2-channel A/D-D/A converter
• JetPLL technology – critically acclaimed jitter elimination
• 2 ¼” TRS headphone outputs with independent volume controls
• compatible with major audio software

M-Audio ProFire-610 – serious pro audio interface – cost around 400$

Edirol FA-66 is a good FireWire Audio Interface option for someone who wants a very reliable and good sounding device.
The FA-66 is a 6-channel portable FireWire audio interface designed with the mobile recording and performance professional in mind. The FA-66 offers incredible audio fidelity, stability, and a practical set of input and output options. It also offers two XLR/TRS combo inputs with phantom power, plus two RCA inputs, four balanced +4dBu outputs, optical S/PDIF I/O, a built-in analog limiter, zero-latency direct monitoring, solid metal construction, and FireWire bus power, all in a durable compact case.

Features:

• 6-in/6-out 24-bit/96kHz simultaneous performance
• 4-in/4-out 24-bit/192kHz simultaneous performance
• 2 XLR/TRS combo jacks w/premium phantom-powered mic preamps
• +4 dB balanced input and output
• S/PDIF optical input & output ports with Sync LED indicator
• MIDI in/out ports
• Built-in analog limiter and indicator
• FireWire bus powered
• AC adaptor included
• Mac OS X CoreAudio and Windows XP WDM and ASIO 2.0 support
• Zero-latency Direct Monitoring
• 6-pin and 4-pin IEEE1394 ports
• Compact, solid-metal construction

Edirol FA-66 – very good sound device – List price 499$, now Special Offers Available.

Rig Kontrol 3 is a guitar foot controller with built-in sound card, can be used to control nearly any sound parameter. It features a 192kHz/24 Bit USB 2.0 stereo audio interface and preamplifier for the fast and convenient connection of bass, guitar or any other instrument with your computer. Two inputs allow the use of two guitars or basses simultaneously.
Rig Kontrol 3 is fully usable with Guitar Rig 3 software. I can use it with other software, like Amplitube, but unfortunately without controller function.
Rig Kontrol with Guitar Rig software is a real plaything for guitar player. Now, You needn`t eny “real” guitar amp & pedal, to adjust your sound. Guitar Rig has a hundreds of factory preset sounds & you may clap up thousands your own. That’s possible, just you want, to connect an analog pedals ahead to interface.
My Rig Kontrol interface are connected directly to master soundcard, through an audio output. On this way, I get an analog signal flow for recording. That is a perfect device for Home Recording, by my mean.
Price asked to 499$ – with Guitar Rig 3 Software.