Selecting Hardware for Music Production

[Sean Darby]

Addendum-

I will also be using 5.1 speakers for general computer use (next year
I'll get monitor speakers dedicated to music production). The
motherboard I'm getting has 8 audio channels, which I believe will
support the use of 5.1, though that's just hardware, I'm unaware of
compatibility between devices and various operating systems, aka Studio.

I don't think I'll need an extra sound card for the 5.1 speakers if I
have something similar to the Emu 1616 and the integrated card on the
mainboard, though thought I'd check in here just in case.

Otherwise, the 5.1 speakers are generic use, a headset mostly for
gaming, and a special internal sound card, external sound device, and
mixer for the purpose of producing music.

Thank you!

On Wed, 2008-10-22 at 15:33 -0500, Sean Darby wrote:
> I heard the Emu 1616M is a good choice, though it's also $450. It
> includes an internal sound card for the computer and an external device
> for connecting instruments/mics/etc.
> 
> I'm also interested in getting a mixer to go along with this.
> 
> As an alternative for an internal sound card, I came across this:
> 
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001
> 
> ...though I am unaware of the value in that, and if I am getting a mixer
> perhaps I should get something similar to the Emu 1616 regardless.
> 
> Does anybody know if there is a more affordable alternative to the Emu
> 1616M?
> 
> Here's a Yamaha small mixer that might go well with my computer:
> 
> http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG102C
> 
> ...unless there are better alternatives?
> 
> Here's the Emu 1616M:
> 
> http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1616MPCI
> 
> After I decide on computer hardware and mixer, I will get a mic,
> possibly a Shure SM57...
> 
> http://www.zzounds.com/item--SHUSM57LC
> 
> 
> Thank you in advance for any input.
> 
> Sean Darby