Need suggestions for a low cost sound card for an HP Pavilion a520n desktop running Win XP. Can't render recorded solos with the on board sound. Any internal or external sound device that will allow rendering of solo pieces to make a cd is what I'm looking for. The cds are for my use and sound quality, while desired, isn't of prime importance. All suggestions cheerfully accepted!
Take a look at the Focusrite Scarlett line. I own several. The quality of these USB units is quite good for the money. They have a full range of products, and you just have to know how many simultaneous inputs you need.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Keep in mind that the interface is essentially the heart of your recording setup. In this case, and from what I know, you do tend to get what you pay for.
A good interface (aka: sound card) for a laptop will be an external interface connected by a USB cable. It should have 2 inputs minimum, run NATIVE ASIO drivers, and have phantom power. You also want to look for built in, quality pre-amps on the audio inputs.
The actual inputs and outputs will vary by the models and price you're willing to pay.
Using a nice interface makes recording a true pleasure. Many will have a software console where you can preset levels for input and output as well as some FX. Compression and verb and even EQ defaults.
Focusrite is a brand that you can count on for good quality and their preamps are legendary.
I use focusrite.
EDIT: if price of a new interface is a bit too much, look on Ebay or Craigs list and find a good one that someone is selling. Folks who upgrade to bigger interfaces will sometimes sell the old smaller one and you can save significant dollars on it. I got a practically brand new Line6 Pod 2 for half the price of a new one that way.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/18/1502:44 PM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
"Need suggestions for a low cost sound card for an HP Pavilion a520n desktop running Win XP"
Do you have the old basic PCI slots available?
On that machine, a 'newer' Focusrite may not be your best option in the long run .. but a good PCI card can likely be found and be very affordable. 1010lt is pretty dang cheap these days, just make sure you get the cables with it ..
"Need suggestions for a low cost sound card for an HP Pavilion a520n desktop running Win XP"
Do you have the old basic PCI slots available?
On that machine, a 'newer' Focusrite may not be your best option in the long run .. but a good PCI card can likely be found and be very affordable. 1010lt is pretty dang cheap these days, just make sure you get the cables with it ..
However, the rest of my post is good to go. There's a number of reasons to go with external over internal. There's nothing to stop you from using an external interface with a desk top on a USB port.
In fact, that makes it easier to move the interface to a different computer if you need to. If you get a PCI card interface, you are essentially stuck to that configuration.
I started with the external because I had a laptop. When I built my own custom DAW, I elected to NOT install a sound card and instead used my external. It works fine.
If I ever have a problem with the custom DAW, I can swap my cable to the lappy, import the project, and keep rolling.
Another reason is that your ability to easily access the inputs and outputs on the external interface is so much easier. My oldest DAW had a built in card..... the inputs were behind the computer. What a pain to swap things around. My current machines use the external and the inputs are right there facing me on the desk. Easy!
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
>sound quality, while desired, isn't of prime importance< I'm a retired geezer on a fixed income (that needs to be fixed!) $35 is my limit. Also not a computer expert so specific name and model on the sound card would be a great help. All it has to do is work!
Be sure to look for Windows XP. If you find a couple that look interesting report back and someone will tell you if will work for your situation.
{edit} can you render BiaB MIDI parts? If so can you render them to wavs?
What I am thinking is that maybe you don't need to spend any money. If you can get wavs out of BiaB then maybe a free wav editor like audacity http://www.oldapps.com/Audacity.php?system=Windows_XP will work. Just open the BiaB wav(s) in Audacity and record your parts in another track.
Just a thought that might work if you're recording audio.
Another after thought, how are you trying to render your parts now? The reason I ask is because I have never come across a computer that wouldn't render BiaB MIDI. I may be wrong about this as I have no experience with your computer model.
Last edited by MarioD; 09/19/1508:44 AM.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal". Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
"Can't render recorded solos with the on board sound. Any internal or external sound device that will allow rendering of solo pieces to make a cd is what I'm looking for. "
Not sure you need to spend anything. What on-board soundcard do you have? You should be able to render. Soundcard doesn't get involved - drivers perhaps, but rendering something that is already in the computer is not a sound-card specific task.
Are you getting error messages of some type when you try to render at present?
What is driving you to think you need a different soundcard?
For $35 as a max budget, I don't think you're going to find much even in the used market that will be suitable, or an upgrade over the factory chips.
I'd look at making the factory card work to do what you need. I don't recommend ASIO4ALL except in cases where there's no other alternative. My experience is that it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. It would NOT work on my laptop with the factory sound chips. Others have said it's the best thing since sliced bread.
Using MME, the usual factory default driver, I can run BB & RB on my lappy just fine. The problem occurs when I go to RB and it's using a combination of real tracks (wave audio) and synth parts. The latency with the synth parts really messes you up.
When working on the lappy, I never had a problem, even with MME as the driver, when I wanted to render a track to audio. It always rendered the wave file.
As far as sound quality.... no matter if you have the cheapest sound card or a high end external interface...digital is digital. The digital quality is going to be exactly the same. There might be a noticeable difference in sound quality due to the audio circuits, but the underlying digital quality will be digital perfection. Your speakers and the amplifiers for them will be the major player in the quality you hear.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Cheap choices: Not sure about the price, but what do you think about the behringer uca202 ($25) and the Behringer xenix 302USB. I would prefer the 302usb, for sure. I have both, that is why I prefer the 302 ($45). Another choice can be the Behringer UM2 ($30). Maybe the best cheap choice. Recently I purchased an Audiobox 1818vsl from Presonus.Too much more than I need .
Last edited by Luiz Dias; 09/20/1505:56 AM.
regards, from Brazil Luiz Dias Watch the videos of me playing the percussion/conga drums with a great band! --> http://uk.youtube.com/user/footkeys
Cheap choices: Not sure about the price, but what do you think about the behringer uca202 ($25) and the Behringer xenix 302USB. I would prefer the 302usb, for sure. I have both, that is why I prefer the 302 ($45). Another choice can be the Behringer UM2 ($30). Maybe the best cheap choice. Recently I purchased an Audiobox 1818vsl from Presonus.Too much more than I need .
I'm usually against the "interface on a cord" kind of gizmo's like the UNO.... generally the drivers are junk. Even with a good DAW, they are usually more trouble than they are worth.....
HOWEVER.....
I didn't know Behringer had come out with anything like this. I would be curious to see if they would be a good option at the bargain basement pricing level. For me, to be a viable option, they would need to work well and with low latency. That would be the test.
But at that price, you could afford to take a chance. Buy from a reputable company and you also get a 30 or 45 day no questions asked money back guarantee. Can't go too far wrong with that kind of price and guarantee.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/20/1506:49 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
The Behringer's mentioned here are actually quite nice. Xenyx pre-amps are comparable the pre-amps of my Tascam DP-24, and Presonus Audiobox.
But, in my opinion, the mixer that gives the most bang for the buck and more than worth the extra cost is the Behringer Xenyx Q802USB model. With it, you get a 3 band eq, fx send and their one knob compressor. It also comes with two XLR Xenyx inputs with 48v phantom power. The USB output is assignable between the control/headphone or main mix. 2X2 USB. 6 line inputs.
$79.99 at Sweetwater with free shipping. That's more than twice the posters budget and only he can decide if it's worth setting the $35 into savings and save a bit longer to get more value.
I am confused by the undercurrent of this thread. If his issue is rendering, what does the sound card have to do with it? Doesn't the sound card stay on the bench until there is actually a request for sound to be pushed through the speakers? Seems like the rendering would be done on "this side" of the sound card. Then when you play the resulting rendered file the sound card is engaged.
I am confused by the undercurrent of this thread. If his issue is rendering, what does the sound card have to do with it? Doesn't the sound card stay on the bench until there is actually a request for sound to be pushed through the speakers? Seems like the rendering would be done on "this side" of the sound card. Then when you play the resulting rendered file the sound card is engaged.
Yeah, in theory .. but he is using BiaB 2006 .. and I don't remember what it could/couldn't do .. that was quite a while ago.
Clarification on his question would probably help also, like you said. There's a chance with the combination of XP/BiaB2006/AC97 card that he may need to use 'real-time' mix output (or WhatUHear) .. which was a bugger to set up sometimes on such a system.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Right click on your speaker icon in bottom right of screen Select recording devices (multiple buttons or tabs; playback, record and other Select recording tab or button Position mouse cursor in white space area and right click Put check marks by "Show Disable Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices" to show extra choices Enable (select) all choices
Herb, Sounds like you may need to run the Audio/MIDI latency adjust once in RB on that machne ..
I don't use the lappy now for music. When I did, and if I used my Focusrite interface, there was no latency issues. It was only when I used the MME driver that I had issues.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I use a Beheringer UCA202 on my computer, and I'm pretty happy with it. I've had to fiddle with it to get things to work in Reaper when working with real-time monitoring, but for playback it works just fine.
I've also got one hooked up to a little netbook that I user to run my EWI from. The UCA202 seems to play well with older hardware.
I've also used it with an old laptop to interface to my HD-1. I'd tried interfacing it to a number of devices (such as the M-Track Plus) to run the MIDI to USB and realtime audio, but nothing would work - I kept getting nasty audio glitches from the buffers.
I finally got it to work by using the M-Track for the MIDI, but the UCA202 for the audio out. Worked like a charm.
Size alone says you're getting more for the cost with the full sized interfaces vs the subcompacts..... and the small gizmo's don't have external controls, meters, or phantom power with low Z inputs among the other options on the full sized ones.
You should not have to use 2 interfaces or sound cards to record and playback properly. One card/interface should do the job. Problems with timing sync can and do occur with 2 cards. That's a whole other direction for a discussion. The goal is to have one interface doing the job properly.
Referring to the subcompact cards......However, give it a try.... the worst that could happen is that it doesn't work as you would need it to, and you return it for a refund.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Size alone says you're getting more for the cost with the full sized interfaces vs the subcompacts..... and the small gizmo's don't have external controls, meters, or phantom power with low Z inputs among the other options on the full sized ones.
You should not have to use 2 interfaces or sound cards to record and playback properly. One card/interface should do the job. Problems with timing sync can and do occur with 2 cards. That's a whole other direction for a discussion. The goal is to have one interface doing the job properly.
Referring to the subcompact cards......However, give it a try.... the worst that could happen is that it doesn't work as you would need it to, and you return it for a refund.
Herb's right. At a minimum, I think it's best to get to get the best signal path you can afford. There is enough audible difference between the lowest cost unit to the units near the $100 cost to spring for the higher priced unit. Low cost USB mixers such as the Behringer Xenyx Q802USB model is the point in these lower cost USB mixers that begin to offer external features that are valuable to the home studio musician. Built in EQ, and compression don't require any CPU power and have zero latency. Aux send provides the ability to add additional external hardware effects without using any CPU power. There are enough line in's that multiple devices such as a keyboard or Voicelive can be attached and quickly rerouted.
In my opinion, these mixers will generate about the same white noise level as the low cost interfaces such as m-audio, Presonus and Focusrite. Even if the unit is is limited to 44.1/16 digital conversion, the quality of the preamp's and associated circuitry will yield a better digital signal due to the higher quality audio signal.
Still comes back to one semantic concept though guys. Every post here includes the the "interface". When we define "interface". we say "a piece of hardware that creates a connection between one function and another".
The original post was about how to render. The rendering process all takes place inside the computer. It happens in the RAM, where programs execute, and outputs to the hard drive for storage. Nowhere in that sentence is there any access to the sound amplification and output functions of this signal chain. You should be able to render with NO soundcard or interface once you have input your chord chart and picked your style. Remember, when you generate a real track, you don't hear it while it is being generated. Only after. Thus the generation of the track is not at all reliant on sound hardware to make the sound of the track come out of the speakers for your review.
All that said, I will ALWAYS advise, having been a nerd for so long, to get the best quality you can afford. I understand budgets. I am retired too. I have a fixed income too. But.... when I want something that is going to make my sound quality better, I will cut a corner and find the money to spend $100 or so for good sound. That's $3.33 a day. What is $3.33 these days? One beer? A fast food meal? A gallon and a half of gas?
I still have not really heard an accurate account of the issue that started this conversation. I remember rharv commenting about using BIAB 2006 but I came into the mix in 2009, so that is lost on me.
Yes , all said and done it should work fine with the current AC97. I could try BB2006 in XP under VitualBox as it has AC97 option but I'm sure it would work fine with the current card else you go buy a knew card and have the same problem.
Just remembered I had an old laptop with XP, tried BB2006 on it, soloed the track with Ctrl+click Audio menu > Render Midi to Stereo wav > DXI Direct Render (save to WAV file) and it rendered fine.
The original post was about how to render. The rendering process all takes place inside the computer. It happens in the RAM, where programs execute, and outputs to the hard drive for storage.
The interface is MORE than just a door or gateway into the computer. A good interface will make a world of difference and a crappy one will be a huge stumbling block to the fastest computer. If all the interface did was pass date through to the computer after converting the audio to digital, any interface would work as well as the next one. But that is not the case. The interface/soundcard actually does a huge amount of processing before the digital data goes elsewhere in the computer.... such as to the DAW software. The same thing applies to out-going data.
Why else would you spend $300 or more on an interface when $30 should theoretically, get the same exact results? It's because the processing that goes on in that more expensive unit is worth the cost.
As a test.... unplug and remove ALL of your sound cards or for (MOBO) built in cards, go into the hardware manager and disable the built in sound card..... then attempt to render a track. See what happens. When you're finished trying, or if you succeed.... Reboot the computer or go back to hardware manager and enable the sound card afterward.
If you can render a track in this manner, I will stand corrected, but I do not think it will work without a sound card being present and active in the computer.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/22/1501:46 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
The interface is MORE than just a door or gateway into the computer. A good interface will make a world of difference and a crappy one will be a huge stumbling block to the fastest computer. If all the interface did was pass date through to the computer after converting the audio to digital, any interface would work as well as the next one. But that is not the case. The interface/soundcard actually does a huge amount of processing before the digital data goes elsewhere in the computer.... such as to the DAW software. The same thing applies to out-going data.
True in every way Herb, but it is NOT critical to rendering, and that is his concern. Rendering is just math and bytes, not actual sound. After it is rendered, then it becomes sound. You literally can render with NO sound hardware. You just can't listen to what you rendered. A blind guy can paint. He just can't see his work. A deaf computer can render. It just can't "hear". (Though it worked out okay for Beethoven...)
One other thing about the OP's request. He has a HP Pavilion PC. From past bad experience, I found out it's a very bad idea to try to expand one of these. The power supply is the bare minimum to run the PC they provide. There were also no places in mine to add an additional hard drive, no additional unused power cables, this kind of thing. An external sound card by USB is a good solution.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean