Sound and Editing

L

logan

Member
I'm building a new computer and just got my box and motherboard. I purposefully bought a motherboard with a AGP slot, however, after reviewing my information manual there are hardly and video cards that will work in this slot. So I need to buy a PCI video card.

OK now to my question on sound, because I only have 3 PCI slots and one is going to be taken by the video card, that means my modem and firewire need to take the other two. There is integrated audio. But integrated audio isn't that good. Will using integrated audio for editing effect the products that I will be editing or will it just effect what I hear when I am editing and then when I burn a DVD and play it in I'll here the good audio? I hope this question makes some kind of sense lol. Any info is greatly appreciated.
 
Uh, integrated audio doesnt CHANGE the audio when you're working (unless you are recording or rerecording through the card), but it does change the accuracy of what reaches your ears while you are cutting, especially if you are using poor monitors/speakers... I guess if you arent touching the audio and leaving that for cutting and mixing on a proper system, it could be ok. But I think its probably better to aim a little higher if you're doing it professionally.

If you dont have any slots left, and want a quality in/out system for video editing, I'd suggest a firewire or USB external inerface - the M-Audio Firewire 410 is really good, I have one, and its not too expensive either ($250 or so).. there are lots of other options, too.

Tim
 
A lot will depend on the software you're planning on using. For example, most versions of ProTools require dedicated audio I/O hardware (mBox, Digi 002, etc.), while many video editing and multimedia applications will support consumer audio hardware (integrated audio, Sound Blaster PCI cards, etc.)

There are numerous audio I/O solutions that won't take up PCI slots. Most of the ProTools LE products connect to either tne Firewire or USB ports.

As for the integrated audio, I wouldn't reccomend using consumer multimedia sound cards for critical listenning applications. Even an entry-level pro audio interface will offer greater flexebility and far superior performance.

Of course, a top of the line audio I/O won't do you much good if you're monitoring your audio playback on a set $20 multimedia speakers. If you haven't already, get yourself a set of decent studio monitors.
 
Oh cr@p! didnt even mention the speakers!

losing my mind... very important, more than the card (if you arent using PT or similar)...
 
Although new AGP cards are becoming less common, there are still plenty to be had. I would certainly try to go that route over using a PCI video card. For example, Newegg.com lists over 200 AGP video cards and about 50 PCI cards. I assume that you know that the newer PCI-Express cards are not that same as the older PCI bus standard that your motherboard has.

As for integrated audio, what you find on most PC motherboards nowadays is at least as good as any soundblaster-level audio cards, IMHO. But they are designed more for game playing than audio editing. However, there are PCI audio cards that are better suited for audio work. I have not used one personally but the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 seems to be a popular recommendation at around $100 usd.

I would suggest that you check out the plethora of USB/Firewire audio boxes that are on the market. Some are very good and typically come bundled with software that you might find useful if you're just starting out. If you already have some audio software that you want to use, just make sure the box includes drivers that are compatible with your s/w.

Next you'll eventually want to get some decent reference monitor speakers. Your audio with only be as good as the weakest link in the chain. Personally, I don't see how you can expect to create CDs and DVDs with good audio if you can't hear what you're doing when you're editing it.

-Dan
 
timapter said:
Oh cr@p! didnt even mention the speakers!

losing my mind... very important, more than the card (if you arent using PT or similar)...
Click to expand...
Along with reference level calibration and room tuning. It all kind of comes with the territory.
 
logan said:
I'm building a new computer and just got my box and motherboard. I purposefully bought a motherboard with a AGP slot, however, after reviewing my information manual there are hardly and video cards that will work in this slot. So I need to buy a PCI video card.

OK now to my question on sound, because I only have 3 PCI slots and one is going to be taken by the video card, that means my modem and firewire need to take the other two. There is integrated audio. But integrated audio isn't that good. Will using integrated audio for editing effect the products that I will be editing or will it just effect what I hear when I am editing and then when I burn a DVD and play it in I'll here the good audio? I hope this question makes some kind of sense lol. Any info is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Without going into what monitors you use and other equipment....the use of a good quality Soundcard is a must along with some flat accurate speakers. The need to have more info on the motherboard and your hardware setup will help out a lot.
 
The question that I think you need to answer before your going to get any meaningful help is are you planning to do sound work on this system or are you just needing to hear production while editing. For the later built in sound and some decent multimedia speakers will get you buy and will probably give at least as good a sound as about 50% of what is used on many picture edit systems. If you want to sound work you have some serious purchasing to do and no the built in is near useless.
 
I've got the tM-Audio FW410 and just some wee tannoy active reveals which are fantastic bang for the £ very very good for the price range.

the 410 however has withered a little. my mates one kept crashing his laptop, and my one has recently become even more dubious.. i think ch2 is fecked and the phantom is a bit dodgy now too, so i can only record line in ch1 at mo.. its lucky I have other phantom powering, and for what i'm doing at mo only need one mic.. but anyway, i've seen enough to point out that they mightn't be as good as I thought a month ago.
 
Thanks for the advice all. Yeah, integrated sound sucks. I don't think I can live with it lol. I guess I'll just run up to Compusa and ask a techie if they have a good agp video card that'll work.
 
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