Good radio broadcasting soundcard

[peteyt]

Well I'm getting a small office space for broadcasting and going to be getting a new PC for the office, which will become a studio.

My friend said that he can make me a computer if I give him the specs. What sound card would you recommend to get the most - I'll be using a Behringer Xenyx 1002b along with a Rode NT1-A microphone and just want a decent sound card to go with it.

I've heard Sound Blaster's are okay, but not sure if they are more home entertainment quality rather than audio production/broadcast quality.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Recursion]

You need to do as much of the audio processing outside the computer as possible using studio amps/mixers/preamps etc, of course if you're pumping this down a standard 128kb/s server online, there's really no point in spending £££ on this.

What's your budget for the soundcard itself and are you planning on going DAB/FM?

[peteyt]

I'm getting 300 from o2 and can put some more in - that's going to a new computer. I can get a less expensive sound card if need be and then upgrade but I'm not sure what's considered pro

[Recursion]

Pro soundcards can be between £300 - £1500, really depends on your budget. You definitely wouldn't go for something like Creative, you'd look at M-Audio, EMU or RME.

[peteyt]

Is this decent

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...phile2496.html

comes to £81.00

[N!ck]

I'd always recommend Asus cards. Anything more serious and you're going to want proper gear outside of the PC.

[Jahova]

For online broadcasting any old internal soundcard is fine as long as your internet connection and the PC can handle the broadcasting software. Don't waste your money on un-needed things!

[Recursion]

For online broadcasting any old internal soundcard is fine as long as your internet connection and the PC can handle the broadcasting software. Don't waste your money on un-needed things!

I think I read a thread of his a few days back saying he's planning to go to FM, not sure though.

[peteyt]

We'd like to eventually go FM but it wont be for a few years. But do want to get a decent sound still.

[roastchips]

We'd like to eventually go FM but it wont be for a few years. But do want to get a decent sound still.

As said for radio internal sound cards are not the best, while you may have a small operation currently if you were to run a system such as ENCO DAD, Myriad or even Master Control you would need a proper broadcast card like a M-Audio.

http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardwa...nterface--4605

That will do you great and will allow you to expand a bit if you decide to go for a big playout system. Can i suggest for the time being you look at Mairlist, its a great playout system that can be modified to hell to get some good stuff.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/produc...o-system-.html
This one will be the one if you can afford it, this will easily alow you to expand onto a full playout automation system.

As well as this on FM you would defiantly need processing, Compression, Gating, EQ, Expander and a AGC at a minimum for the whole setup. If the studio is going to be running all day as well Behringer mixer is a no no while there pro mics can take a good beating there boards are pretty awful for radio with the exception of the DX1000 and DX2000 but there not brilliant. For radio you need a console that will auto mute monitors when mics are raised and also possibly a on air light.

My advice would be to save a bit and look for something like a Airmate or a Sonifex desk.

Mic wise its all good, if you want guests i can recommend the Behringer B1, cheap but very nice sounding.