PCI soundcards?

[DJ Garybaldy]

I was wanting to see if I could get an upgrade on the soundcard on the PC now running a stream. went searching for a PCI soundcard and all I got in results was USB soundcards.

Have PCI cards had their day or something?

I decided to go with virtual audio Cables in the end. Not 100% sure about USB audio.

[Calypso]

I was wanting to see if I could get an upgrade on the soundcard on the PC now running a stream. went searching for a PCI soundcard and all I got in results was USB soundcards.

Have PCI cards had their day or something?

I decided to go with virtual audio Cables in the end. Not 100% sure about USB audio.

PCI or PCI-Express? What segment are you looking for? Consumer, semi-professional or professional? There are enough cards in all segments, but try looking for brands like Asus and Marian (Seraph series) or ESI (Maya series)

[DJ Garybaldy]

I just want something to replace the awful realtek audio that onboard. I'll keep looking as the computer will be main playout. Not saying I'm not getting a good sound from VAC but I think an actual decent soundcard may be the answer eventually when I can afford stuff like that.

[plauri]

I just want something to replace the awful realtek audio that onboard. I'll keep looking as the computer will be main playout. Not saying I'm not getting a good sound from VAC but I think an actual decent soundcard may be the answer eventually when I can afford stuff like that.

I use pipelines that's the same as VAC and my sound I think is quite good as long as you use a processor (I use BAO), you need a soundcard (as Calypso suggested) if you use a hardware mixer, if not go with virtual cable and it shloud be enough.

[FreerunMedia]

I would sugest if you're a nonstop PC only station you can get away with Virtual Cable. PCI cards are still available but sometimes hard to find. The best thing to do is just search the second hand parts because a lot of people are ditching the PCI cards. I have 3 on the shelf, an old soundblaster, a Teratec Fun with optical in and out and something bigger like the M-Audio Delta 1010. That needs a little work on the powersupply but it works. I have very good results with the Teratec Fun and M-Audio.

On the USB side, yes it works fine but keep in mind that many laptops can switch down the audiocard for "powersaving". The cheap behringer UCA202 works fine and for much better sound you can select Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820 or go even more expensive with the Focusrite and RME. Don't use them with a USB hub, my experience is that it give a lot of problems from not seeing the audio device or not able to power it sufficiently

[DJ Garybaldy]

I think I've settled on virtual audio cables. They sound better than the onboard realtek audio processing.

[PROducer]

It seems that Plug In sound cards are disappearing.  If you're going to do any recording, the USB interfaces work quite well.  I have both a Scarlet 2i2 & a Native Instruments at home and both sound great.  I've also just had my computer at work upgraded, and they had to go USB.  Have a Steinberg interface there.  While it works fine, it's locked at a bit depth of 24, which Adobe Audition 3.0 doesn't like.  But, of course, the Audition Creative Suite (that requires a leased license) works fine.

Gary, sounds like you'll be fine running VAC.  Especially if you're not trying to record anything.

[DJ Garybaldy]

I have "Listen through this device" checked on the soundcard settings for the VAC so i can hear the music playing In RadioDJ that audio also feeds my little FM transmitter that i use for music at night.

 Yes i know I'm a pirate for transmitting on FM. BUT personal FM transmitters have been legal in the UK since 2006. I don't know its actual range but its not that far.

Virtual audio cables never failed in the past when i was running 2 streams about 8 years ago.

[FreerunMedia]

I have "Listen through this device" checked on the soundcard settings for the VAC so i can hear the music playing In RadioDJ that audio also feeds my little FM transmitter that i use for music at night.

 Yes i know I'm a pirate for transmitting on FM. BUT personal FM transmitters have been legal in the UK since 2006. I don't know its actual range but its not that far.

Virtual audio cables never failed in the past when i was running 2 streams about 8 years ago.

YEAH Pirates to the top!  I think with DAB+ coming up ( Read: Pushed through our throat ) so the FM can be going very quiet.

[DJ Garybaldy]

I'm so fed up with most of the offerings on DAB radio in Manchester. hence the reasoning behind an FM transmitter. Yes there are plans to switch off FM within the next ten years in the UK.

RadioDJ plays the music that i listen to while trying to get to sleep. I've stuck with 107.4FM as my frequency there is s station on that band in Manchester so if any neighbours happen to listen to it they get my music stream instead. 
Mainstream commercial radio BORES me.

[Brodephat]

I actually use VAC cables to SECaster for all my stations and then use Voicemeter Banana to monitor or listen to each station.
it actually sounds great because the signal from RadioDJ goes straight to SECaster untouched.

[DJ Garybaldy]

I'm finding Sound empire caster and absolute pleasure to work with. Its light its robust and its stable from what I'm listening to.


For a free encoder it certainly does the job.