Sound Card.
 

I have a P4 3.0ghz, with a 9600awi, and 1gb of ram. I currently use the onboard sound to edit in Vegas 6.0. I just bought a pair of Sony MDR-V900 (they're amazing), and would like to know if a) I would be able to edit better with a new sound card, and b) if so, what sound card would you recommend. I don't know what range of cards are out there, so I'm not sure about giving a price range. (But I was thinking around $200, so long as the quality difference is really there).

Thanks,
Bryan

Will you be able to "edit better?" Not likely. You'll be able to hear more, that's a given, and your audio recordings will be better. On board sound cards are noisy, and they have lousy DAC's in most situations. A better sound card allows for full range monitoring, and has good DACs (in most cases) so your recordings will be better.
As far as the monitoring side, some internal/most internal color the sound somewhat due to processing, but it's not hugely significant. What's better about a good external though, is that you'll have less noise, better/more accurate monitoring.

It is not a professional card, but the Audigy2 has 5.1 sound and an extra firewire port. I have had good luck recording voiceovers with it, and I use an inexpensive pre-amp and a halfway decent microphone (amp and mic were $150). The audio out of the card is quite good and it isn't too expensive. Works for me.

Ah, that's what I meant.


Steve, I was looking at the Audigy 2. It seemed like the best gaming/overall sound card choice, but I wasn't sure if anyone was using one that was more targeted towards sound monitoring etc.

Thanks for your help Douglas, and Steven.