Choosing A Soundcard

Basically, it's a given that that I will almost always recommend a computer recording rig. I feel that a computers blow away the stand alone units.

The first step in choosing a recording rig for me is to choose the soundcard. We are making the assumption that you have a computer with decent performance already. Choosing a soundcard is difficult for beginners, because it is often tough to anticipate your recording needs. The marketing of most companies doesn't help either.

Note: When choosing a soundcard, it's important to note that there is EXTREMELY LITTLE difference in fidelity between one $200 soundcard and another. In reality the difference between a $200 soundcard and a $2,000 analog to digital converter (just the converter, no computer interface) is fairly subtle. The average songwriter isn't going to notice a difference. So, I'd rule out sound quality from your list of factors when selecting a soundcard because they all pretty much sound the same. I'd go for a reputable company (that will actually stay in business) that offers the most reliable product and the best tech support.