Best Sound Cards with AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Output

summary: i've tested this device with guitar, keyboard and a microphone.

i like this because, you can your input you guitar and microphone and rock out, right in front of your pc.

outstanding product for anyone interested in reproducing digital music using computer as the sound source.

the gain also has to be turned up all the way to get a signal from mics, which, without a mixer, can make it somewhat difficult to adjust sound levels adequately.

if you are looking to upgrade your soundcard for recording purposes or just for the pure love of your music collection, the 2496 is the product you're looking for.

i'm currently using it in winxp for home studio recording of electric guitar, vocals, and midi keyboard instruments.

i've also done many stereo recordings with this card, and the sound is very clean and transparent, and the card provides a decent amount of digital patchbay/routing options.cons: no surround support

however, if you plan on recording on your computer, or just digitize old tapes and records, this is the card for you.

the bottom line: for the starting computer musician i found this a good choice.

cons: headphone amp was required to record the bottom line: buy this sound card, it's worth the money invested.

pros: 6 in ...2 mic preamp, 8 output midi in/out...great quality and gr8 gear cons: i cannot think of a single one

Bundled with spiffy-looking but highly crippled electronic music creation program - full version is expensive.

The issue was due to very poor audio quality when playing back music to my home theater system.

Imagine listening to music and then using the keyboard to adjust the volume and suddenly having the audio disappear.

Hi I am DJ and I record a lotta, single vinyls, mixes, from tapes or CDs to my computer or laptop.