Sound Card

[lampposteffect]

I've heard 'get a better sound card, get a better sound card, get a better...etc.'

I'm not really sure where it's going to help me at?
The only difference I see in most is they have surround sound outputs and a S/PDIF.
Why would I need a better sound card?

In my current setup I'm running the mic into my firepod which then goes via firewire to a pci card in the back of my computer. I have an 1/8" output on my computer that I send to my mixer then to my monitors.
Does upgrading a sound card really make that much difference?
If so, where and how?

[Electriclight]

If you have a Firepod, I doubt that anyone told YOU to get a better soundcard. The FIREPOD should be your soundcard. Your onboard computer soundcard should be disabled. If you are using your computer soundcard's 1/8" output for monitoring you are really wasting the Firepod because it has it's own main and headphone outputs.

The number one reason to not use your computer soundcard is that it has higher latency. Another reason is possible confllicts with your audio interface. A third reason is lower fidelity, sample rate, etc.

Here's a typical home audio setup. Notice the absence of the onboard computer soundcard:
Soundcard Troubleshooting 101

[lampposteffect]

Anytime I have tried to run sound out of my firepod into my monitors it is always distorted and it sounds horrible. Also there is a lot of digital noise in it as well.

[Electriclight]

Originally Posted by lampposteffect

Anytime I have tried to run sound out of my firepod into my monitors it is always distorted and it sounds horrible. Also there is a lot of digital noise in it as well.

There is something terribly wrong with that. Perhaps you are monitoring in software and listening to the combined signals? Start from square one with the manual and try to get it right. Otherwise your rig is like trailering your Porshe around town behind a '87 Ford pickup. You're really not getting the most out of it.

[brandondrury]

Why Do I Need An Audio Interface Designed For Home Recording?

As for the distorted sound:
Home Recording Computers: Clicks, Pops, and Latency

and

Recording Computer Troubleshooting: Is Your Windows Operating System Clean?