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Recommendations for making "clean sound" recordings of ISA sound cards?

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First post, by DeathAdderSF

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Hello, all.

I plan to make some recordings from the PAS & PAS-16, which in themselves already produce some fairly high-quality sound output. However I'd appreciate some recommendations as to which USB-based recording device(s) may be best suitable for reducing (eliminating?) noise on the recording end? I generally make use of a Startech USB sound card, but its input introduces a teensy bit of noise sometimes: so not 100% ideal.

So! Can any of y'all who have experience making such recordings recommend a good piece of equipment for the task?

Thanks in advance.

Cruise by Diskman Presents: filled with geektastic classic gaming goodness!

Reply 1 of 5, by SuperDeadite

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Easy to find used pro level equipment from 20 years ago for cheap, assuming you have compatible drivers. Personally I use Yamaha UW500 for recordings as it does analog and toslink and Yamaha drivers are still updated for modern windows. It is limited to 44k (CD quality), but 48k (DVD quality) is simply not needed for stuff this old.

CM-64, CM-500, SC-55MkII, SC-88 Pro, SY22, TG100, MU2000EX, PLG100-SG, PLG150-DR, PLG150-AN, SG01k, NS5R, GZ-50M, SN-U110-07, SN-U110-10, Pocket Studio 5, DreamBlaster S2, X2, McFly, E-Wave, QWave, CrystalBlaster C2, Yucatan FX, BeepBlaster, SuperOctet!

Reply 2 of 5, by keenmaster486

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I use Behringer interfaces. A UMC404 is my main one, plus a bunch of UCA202s that I use for miscellaneous things (great for simple stereo line in and out). They're so cheap that it's a no brainer. I have never noticed even the slightest bit of noise coming from them in recording or playback, and I have never had any complaints about the sound quality.

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Reply 3 of 5, by BitWrangler

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Reel to reel 4 track tape for authentic 1980s hiss. 🤣

But (cue Rod Serling) you are now entering.... the audiophile zone... nothing you do will be right, so whatever it is you do, make it amenable to you, easy and cheap.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 4 of 5, by ott

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I use old recorder (Zoom H6) powered by batteries. This usually solves problems with ground loops and electrical noise.
Battery-powered laptop with USB sound card/audio interface should also solve these problems.

Btw, this is interesting question in the context of ISA sound cards. They usually have two output modes (via jumpers) - line output and amplified output for passive speakers.

I have SB Vibra 16S CT2800 that sounds better through the amplified output, via line output the low frequencies are totally lost.
I don't know yet how to record sound from amplified output, I think I'll have to use power divider to avoid burning out the recorder inputs.

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