Sound cards for use with laptop

jamikl · 8th December 2007, 11:25 PM

I need some advice urgently as there is a deal going on Dell Vostrol ( low cost end of the Dell line) laptops. I was going to upgrade an old desktop I have to use specifically for speaker design but a laptop makes more sense as it can be used more easily anywhere around the house. This model has sound on the motherboard and I have read on several posts that the sound on most laptops is not up to scratch for the various software we use. Is there a card available that will work through a USB port. What are others using with Laptops. I am interested in products that are available in Australia.

Please don't tell me to get an apple - would love to but can't afford it.
Thanks for any advice, jamikl

rcavictim · 9th December 2007, 12:03 AM

I would like to see recommendations on this as well. USB, PCMCIA?

MJL21193 · 9th December 2007, 12:53 AM

From the Speaker Workshop forum:

http://www.audua.com/forum/viewtopic...ea170ee9d8cf5f

jamikl · 9th December 2007, 03:01 AM

Thanks for the replyMJL21193. I will look at that shortly.
jamikl

Svein_B · 9th December 2007, 06:34 AM

I have found the built-in sound I/O on newer Dell notebooks, such as my Inspiron 6000 to be quite good for loudspeaker measurements. Low noise and flat FR from 30-18000.

The main limitation is that the mic input is mono only, and therefore not usable for impedance measurements and other applications that require 2-channel input. For that I have used the Creative Xmod USB module which is low noise and flat FR (make sure thee special X-fi features are OFF).
The M-audio Transit is supposed to be one of the better USB adapters.

SveinB.

pinkmouse · 9th December 2007, 07:39 AM

Your best bet is to check the homepage for the program you want to use and see which cards are supported.

Svante · 9th December 2007, 09:05 AM

Here are some things I would look for:

Microphone inputs with phantom power supply
Line inputs
Line outputs
Power supply from USB
NO tone controls
NO windows mixer, but knobs on the "soundcard".

And the following are nice, but not nessecary for loudspeaker measurement:

192 kHz/24 bit sampling
4 channels of output might allow for experiments with software crossovers and eq.

zx6r.j1 · 9th December 2007, 11:17 AM

What about Dared MP-5 tubed DAC

Dared MP-5

vid

However it's 16/44kHz. There's no reason you can't stick a 24/96kHz though

Otherwise M-Audio or Soundblaster Live! are the other options. But no tubes

audiobomber · 9th December 2007, 01:14 PM

E-Mu 0202 USB, $125.

http://www.emu.com/products/product....&product=15186

Here's a recommendation and a test report.

http://www.telebyte.com/pioneer/SoundCards.htm

jamikl · 10th December 2007, 08:15 AM

Thanks for all the replies. The E_MU or the M_ Audio transit look like the way to go for me.
jamikl

8th December 2007, 11:25 PM	#1
jamikl diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	Sound cards for use with laptop I need some advice urgently as there is a deal going on Dell Vostrol ( low cost end of the Dell line) laptops. I was going to upgrade an old desktop I have to use specifically for speaker design but a laptop makes more sense as it can be used more easily anywhere around the house. This model has sound on the motherboard and I have read on several posts that the sound on most laptops is not up to scratch for the various software we use. Is there a card available that will work through a USB port. What are others using with Laptops. I am interested in products that are available in Australia. Please don't tell me to get an apple - would love to but can't afford it. Thanks for any advice, jamikl

9th December 2007, 12:03 AM	#2
rcavictim diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cool end of a soldering iron NW of Toronto	I would like to see recommendations on this as well. USB, PCMCIA? __________________ I.Q.Test. Have you ever purchased a recreational snowmobile?

9th December 2007, 07:39 AM	#6
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Your best bet is to check the homepage for the program you want to use and see which cards are supported. __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

9th December 2007, 09:05 AM	#7
Svante diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Stockholm	Here are some things I would look for: Microphone inputs with phantom power supply Line inputs Line outputs Power supply from USB NO tone controls NO windows mixer, but knobs on the "soundcard". And the following are nice, but not nessecary for loudspeaker measurement: 192 kHz/24 bit sampling 4 channels of output might allow for experiments with software crossovers and eq. __________________ Simulate loudspeakers: Basta! Simulate the baffle step: The Edge

9th December 2007, 01:14 PM	#9
audiobomber diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Canada	E-Mu 0202 USB, $125. http://www.emu.com/products/product....&product=15186 Here's a recommendation and a test report. http://www.telebyte.com/pioneer/SoundCards.htm __________________ Dan


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

9th December 2007, 12:53 AM	#3
MJL21193 Account disabled at member's request Join Date: Mar 2007	From the Speaker Workshop forum: http://www.audua.com/forum/viewtopic...ea170ee9d8cf5f

9th December 2007, 03:01 AM	#4
jamikl diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	Thanks for the replyMJL21193. I will look at that shortly. jamikl

9th December 2007, 06:34 AM	#5
Svein_B diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	I have found the built-in sound I/O on newer Dell notebooks, such as my Inspiron 6000 to be quite good for loudspeaker measurements. Low noise and flat FR from 30-18000. The main limitation is that the mic input is mono only, and therefore not usable for impedance measurements and other applications that require 2-channel input. For that I have used the Creative Xmod USB module which is low noise and flat FR (make sure thee special X-fi features are OFF). The M-audio Transit is supposed to be one of the better USB adapters. SveinB.

9th December 2007, 11:17 AM	#8
zx6r.j1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	What about Dared MP-5 tubed DAC Dared MP-5 vid However it's 16/44kHz. There's no reason you can't stick a 24/96kHz though Otherwise M-Audio or Soundblaster Live! are the other options. But no tubes

10th December 2007, 08:15 AM	#10
jamikl diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	Thanks for all the replies. The E_MU or the M_ Audio transit look like the way to go for me. jamikl

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Anyone tried those cheap usb sound cards?	Westerp	Digital Source	1	5th May 2009 09:47 PM
Sound Cards	Sh1mmy	Everything Else	19	28th May 2008 02:09 PM
PC Sound Cards	guitargully	Solid State	2	26th October 2004 08:02 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read