hi everyone ,i need some help to buy a good soundcard for studio ,i am using a pc laptop.My first question is what is the difference between a sound card and a interface and what is good out there

A soundcard refers usually to a desktop audio card (internal), while interface is used when refering to the different types of external audio hardware.

First of all you need to state your budget and laptop model. Also, how many physical inputs do you actually need?
From there it will be clear what audio interface you will be able to connect to your laptop.
For a laptop, I would certainly go with Pcmcia (or express depending on the laptop) or firewire.



[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 08-19-2010).]

so is it good to start with soundcard or interface,i am using toshiba 4gb 500,and i am willing to spend around $500

Ray what do you excactly want to do with your laptop?

hi ,DNJ--i will have my studio ready in about a month ,all i am looking for is a recording sound card or a interface,at first i did not understand what is the difference between the two but i lately found out that i can not use a soundcard with a laptop ,so i am looking for a interface ,give opinions

Ray what do you excactly want to do with your laptop? Are you gong to record music an/or for what purpose?

yes i will be using my laptop for recording

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/download.htm

Ray this is all you need

this is a software brother ,but i need to record live instruments

What ports do you have on your laptop besides USB??? Firewire??? PCMCIA???

There is no need to buy the above software since you will get a light version of cubase or some other software with the interface.

If you do have a firewire port on your laptop, look at these:

Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
PreSonus FireStudio
MOTU Ultralite MK3
Edirol FA-101

If you have a PCMCIA port on your laptop:

EMU 1616M PCMCIA.

Still, you need to let me know the MODEL of your toshiba laptop and Windows OS that it is running!!!

hi hitman ,i have toshiba A505-S6017

Since you don't have a firewire port on your laptop, you will need to get a firewire ExpressCard with a Texas Instruments Chip (for example the $24 Rosewill): http://www.newegg.com /Product/Product.a...will-_-39200011

After that, pick any of the firewire interfaces I listed previously and it should keep you busy for weeks!

I personaly like the Presonus Firestudio Project, because it comes with a ton of plug-ins and software! On top of that, the MIC Pre's are excellent and you can get one for under $400.

Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 08-20-2010).]