Need advice on choosing a PCI soundcard

[Rob Williams]

Originally Posted by 2Tired2Tango

Ok... first I would suggest you go and take a look at Jeff Glatt's MIDI site... it's packed with information about what MIDI is and what it can (and can't) do for you.

I will do that when I need the information. I won't need MIDI for a while, so it's not a major concern at the moment.

Originally Posted by 2Tired2Tango

What exactly do you want this thing to do for you?

Exactly what it's built for, intricate control over the music. Adjusting knobs, faders, tempo and whatever else in software is just clunky, and very tedious. Having real control right there is a lot better.

Originally Posted by 2Tired2Tango

Methinks that unless you are planning to create original music you might be happier with something like the Rockit DJ package and the M-Audio X-Session controller.

Heh, I appreciate the idea, but I'm not about to use some software I've never heard of in lieu of professional software that's regularly used by DJs I actually listen to. Ableton is an industry standard, and it's not just a mixer, but a beat maker as well. I'd be buying Ableton Suite 8, which includes its "Software Instruments" (these are not just samples, but each set includes it's own control to configure the sounds to your liking) and also the "Essential Instrument Collection 2".

http://www.ableton.com/products

Ableton was first recommended to me by a friend who used to DJ, and used to be big into the DJ scene (he's interviewed some of the world's most important DJs), and after looking through all the details, it looks like it's a great application. I'm still not ready to commit to a purchase, because I haven't been able to dedicate any time at all to it. *kicks ground*

Thanks for all the advice so far though, I appreciate being able to bounce ideas off someone who knows what they're talking about.

[2Tired2Tango]

Originally Posted by Rob Williams

Exactly what it's built for, intricate control over the music. Adjusting knobs, faders, tempo and whatever else in software is just clunky, and very tedious. Having real control right there is a lot better.

Ok... well, good luck with that.