Computer Soundcard Question.

[1 M.I.C]

Ok im Planning To Put Money Into A New Comp...

Basically ill be In the research phase for the next month or so till i have the money, Im spending about 800 on the comp parts minus the soundcard and a moniter

For my Soundcard im wanting to get a good pci soundcard and i like the ones that come with the box for the mic preamps and what not so ive pretty much decided to get a E-MU 1616 PCI Card

I just didnt know if that card can be used for recording AND casual listening such as listening to my music off ituns through some computer speakers. can i do that or do i need to buy a regular soundcard aswell?

[brandondrury]

I just didnt know if that card can be used for recording AND casual listening

Nope, if you are just having fun, the audio interface will shut down.

(I'm joking).

The only difference between an audio interface and a stock soundcard is the lower latency, better A/D and D/A conversion, and the type of connections (if we don't count fancy features like preamps, digital inputs, etc).

So yes, you can use an audio interface for you personal listening needs. Of course, your own desires may complicate things. For example, if you wanted to use your audio interface you'll probably want them hooked to your studio monitors and maybe even a mixer. Listening to an mp3 would mean you would need to turn on your studio monitors, mixer, etc. If you just had to listen to music on computer speakers, you would need to rig up a way to switch to them. I don't know why, but I see a lot of beginners who don't want to use their studio monitors all the time. I think this is a bad move because a person needs to get used to their monitors.

Brandon

[1 M.I.C]

Oh ok thats great cause i have a headphone amp so i can pretty much hookup any of my speakers/headphones/moniters at the same time if i need to