Modern motherboards, even in the budget segment, can boast of the ability to connect 5.1 and even 7.1 acoustics, but this solution cannot be called the best for music lovers. To output a signal to headphones or speakers, the PC is equipped with a sound card. Many aspiring musicians use a computer to record their tracks. For this, sound cards with parameters exceeding the user ones are intended. But not everyone knows which sound card is suitable for recording voice or music of a certain direction. After reviewing customer reviews, expert comments, I have compiled a rating of the best sound cards in 2019.
ASUS Xonar DG
Our rating is opened by an inexpensive Asus model with three analog connectors and one microphone input. There is an optical output. Oddly enough, the characteristics are enough for most users. The Xonar DG sound card has a built-in headphone amplifier, Dolby Headphone 5.1 technology, and an exclusive GX 2.5 audio effects processor. All this provides clear, detailed sound with precise positioning of sound sources in space, which makes the Xonar DG a decent enough card for gamers. There are 3 gain modes for different applications: VoIP mode is required for voice communication over the network. Gaming improves the spatial positioning of sound sources, while music provides more powerful bass and depth of soundstage. The model has a built-in C-Media CMI8786 processor, the maximum ADC frequency is 96 kHz, the ADC capacity is 24 bits.
Benefits:
- Low price.
- Fast installation.
- Built-in headphone amplifier.
- 3 gain modes.
- There is an optical output.
Disadvantages:
- Native drivers are crookedly installed on the computer.
- No Linux support.
- The built-in amplifier only works for the back-connected headphones.
Decent budget Asus sound card. For the average user who doesn't expect special audio effects but wants good sound, this is a very good option. I want to note the built-in headphone amplifier with Dolby Headphone 5.1 technology: it really significantly improves the sound quality. When installing drivers from the disk, users start having problems due to low-quality drivers, so I advise you to download them from the official website. Price - 2280 rubles. On the Yandex. Market 78% of buyers recommend this product.
Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro
The Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro external sound card turns your PC or laptop into an entertainment system with SBX Pro Studio technology and a remote control. The board is easily installed via a USB 2.0 connection. Instead of low-quality built-in audio components for superior connectivity, you can use a remote control with buttons to mute, adjust volume, and control music playback. High quality gold-plated RCA stereo jack and optical digital output for best sound reproduction, conveniently located headphone and microphone jacks when chatting on the Internet. SBX Pro Studio technology is specially designed to deliver great sound. With Dolby Digital Live technology, you can connect a decoder with one cable to reproduce sound from any source. The maximum ADC frequency is 96 kHz, the DAC capacity is 24 bits.
Benefits:
- The ability to get 5.1 sound.
- SBX Pro Studio technology.
- Dolby Digital Live technology.
- Decent sound with good high and mid frequencies, tight bass.
- Remote control.
- Convenient and intuitive Audio Control Panel interface.
Disadvantages:
- Problematic software.
- There is no support for the Russian language.
- The device may respond to other IR remotes in your home.
- The software loads the system quite heavily, the card is for more powerful system units.
The popular external sound card that will allow you to get sound like when using a 5.1 system is its key difference from the ASUS Xonar DG. With all these new built-in technologies, the output is high quality sound with an acceptable level of bass. But for old PCs, this sound card will not work: after installation, it loads the system very much, so your computer will slow down a lot. She, like in ASUS Xonar DG, has problems with the quality of the drivers, but it is easier to set up thanks to the convenient interface in the Audio Control Panel. Price - 3950 rubles. On the Yandex. Market 80% of buyers recommend this product.
BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC202HD
Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD is a small desktop card that provides compatibility of analog devices for sound recording and processing and a personal computer without a professional sound card with specific audio connections. Like all converters in the series, U-PHORIA UMC202 works with high quality sound. Card with two XLR mic inputs combined with 1/4 '' TRS instrument connectors. For each of them, a section with control elements is allocated on the control panel - a rotary sensitivity controller, a linear / Hi-Z switch for operating modes of the TRS connector and a Pad switch. The channel sections contain LED indicators that signal the activity of the input signal to the connector and the occurrence of clipping. The main section of the panel contains a ¼-inch headphone jack, a volume control for the output signal fed to it, a direct monitoring mode switch, in which the input signal is sent to the headphones. In the same section, there is a volume control for the signal at the output connectors, power indicators and the inclusion of +48 V phantom power at the microphone inputs. Sound recording and playback are provided up to 24 bit / 192 kHz. This model is compatible with popular recording software including Ableton Live, Avid Pro Tools and Steinberg Cubase. Like the Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro, the UMC202HD is connected via a standard USB 2.0 connector.
Benefits:
- Sound recording and playback up to 24-bit / 192 kHz.
- Convenient, easy to operate.
- There is a direct monitoring button.
- Supports ASIO driver.
- There is 48 V phantom power.
Disadvantages:
- Faint noises are heard when recording music.
- If the PC is weak, then when recording vocals, clicks are periodically heard.
- The driver periodically flies, you have to reinstall.
- No On / Off button To disconnect, you need to disconnect the USB.
A good model for musicians who are starting to record their music and songs at home. Works great with popular recording software such as Ableton Live, Avid Pro Tools. The two previous samples cannot boast of this. But uninterrupted work will be ensured only on a good modern PC. If you have an old PC, you will hear clicks, noises when recording music. The driver periodically flies, you have to reinstall it again. There are no complaints about the sound quality, it is at a high level. Price - 4800 rubles. On the Yandex. Market 87% of buyers recommend this product.
Creative Omni Surround 5.1
Another Creative model that easily connects via USB and makes your computer sound as realistic as in the cinema. This sound card uses SBX Pro Studio technology, so instantly transforms your PC into a 5.1 surround sound system with precise positioning, additional customizable sound effects thanks to the Sound Blaster Omni control panel.The Sound Blaster Omni is suitable for voice communication with its built-in dual microphone, which uses CrystalVoice, a technology that provides remote voice reception without a headset by increasing the sensitivity of microphones in the frequency range of the user's voice and reducing noise outside this range.
There is no such technology in Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro. And for the high-quality sound lover, the Omni is equipped with a 600 ohm headphone amplifier for studio-grade performance. Like the Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro, the Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 card uses Dolby Digital Live, an advanced audio processing technology that delivers discrete 5.1 surround sound for digital entertainment systems over a single digital cable. For video game lovers, Scout mode will allow you to hear enemies from afar, giving you a tactical advantage in battle. The ergonomics are decent, with a high quality gold-plated RCA stereo jack and optical digital output for the best sound reproduction, and conveniently located headphone and microphone jacks are at your fingertips.
Benefits:
- Beautiful view.
- Technologies SBX Pro Studio, CrystalVoice, Dolby Digital Live.
- For gamers - Scout mode.
- High quality sound through speakers or headphones.
Disadvantages:
- When headphones are connected, the speakers start to glow.
- No Linux support, only Windows.
- The software installation is problematic.
- All other functions are disabled when headphones are connected.
The card produces excellent sound both to the speakers and to the headphones, but provided that the latter are of high quality. As in most models, this sample also has problems with the software: the software is difficult to configure, it is not installed the first time, but after installation the system will delight you with excellent sound and microphone quality. This is a very technological device, if we compare, for example, with ASUS Xonar DG, in which there are practically no technologies. Price - 5150 rubles. On the Yandex. Market 89% of buyers recommend this product.
Creative Sound Blaster Z
Sound Blaster Z Sound Card is a member of the high-performance Sound Blaster Z series PCI-Express cards. It features SBX Pro Studio audio processing technology for realism and stunning spatial sound effects through speakers or headsets. The device is equipped with a new high-performance Sound Core3D processor for processing sound and speech signals, accelerating work with sound and voice.
The manufacturer has developed the Sound Core3D quad-core sound processor to take the burden of implementing SBX Pro, Studio Pro, CrystalVoice effects from the main PC processor. The gaming experience is improved by increasing frame rates with dramatically improved audio and voice quality. It supports Audio Stream Input / Output (ASIO) drivers, making the Sound Blaster Z card a superior solution for high quality, low latency audio recording. A useful feature that is not present in previous models is the ability to switch the signal from the headphones to the speaker system and vice versa by simply pressing a switch. Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect - Connect to a decoder or home theater using one digital cable for 5.1 surround sound from any source. The package includes a microphone with a variable beam width, which can be considered as a bonus.
Benefits:
- Lots of modern technologies.
- New Sound Core3D processor.
- ASIO driver support.
- Beautiful view.
- Switching the signal from the headphones to the speaker system by pressing the switch.
- Good sound quality at the output.
- Powerful headphone amplifier.
- Bright red backlight.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- The backlight does not turn off.
- Clicks in the columns when turning on / off / restarting the computer.
- CrystalVoice is not working well.
For its money, this is a good model that is practically devoid of flaws. High-tech, has a built-in processor to reduce the load on the PC processor. There is no such functionality in any of the named samples. There is support for ASIO drivers, a switch between speakers and headphones.I did not like the work of CrystalVoice: I was almost inaudible. I also don't understand why the developers made such a bright red backlight (it does not turn off in any way), when the light is off, it illuminates the room quite strongly. Price - 7080 rubles. On the Yandex. Market 84% of buyers recommend this product.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen
The model has a USB Type-C connection bus for faster data transfer and faster operation (compatible with USB 2.0 / 3.0). There is no such connection in any of the listed samples. Balanced TRS outputs effectively eliminate hiss, hum when connecting monitors with balanced inputs. The instrument input circuit has been completely updated for direct connection of a guitar or bass, 6 dB has been added at the input, so even when connecting guitars with active pickups, there will be no overdrive. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen features one new third generation preamp offering up to 56dB gain. It features a switchable Air mode that emulates the technology of the same name used in the legendary ISA preamps. The interface supports sampling rates up to 24 bit (192 kHz). The model has independent gain controls that set the input signal levels. For connection, there is one XLR microphone input, an instrument TRS input, a headphone output, 2 TRS outputs for studio monitors, a USB-C port. Solo 3rd Gen comes with the following software suite: Avid Pro Tools First, Ableton Live Lite, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite, Redrite Focus 3 Plug.
Benefits:
- Beautiful view.
- Connection via USB Type-C.
- Balanced TRS outputs.
- Built-in 3rd generation preamplifier.
- A large set of programs included.
Disadvantages:
- Very overpriced.
- Loud clicks in the speakers when turned on.
- Problems installing software.
The new generation of Focusrite Scarlett SOLO 3rd Gen sound card looks more interesting and attractive than the previous generation. The redesigned filling has improved the parameters, and the appeared emulation mode of the proprietary AIR preamplifiers distinguishes the interface from other budget cards. Taking into account the appeared balanced outputs, we can recommend them for sound recording and music production in a home studio. The Focusrite Scarlett SOLO 3rd Gen is powerful enough for use with inexpensive microphones and entry-level studio monitors. But the price is clearly overpriced. I would recommend, for example, the Creative Sound Blaster Z, which is not inferior in features and sound quality to the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen. Price - 9,900 rubles. On the Yandex. Market 80% of buyers recommend this product.
Creative AE-7
The AE-7 allows anyone to experience the difference between the sound of a discrete audio chip and that built into a motherboard. The package includes a sound card and an external control module - this is the difference from the above cards. The control module is connected to the card, it is very convenient for them to change the volume settings. The rear panel contains the following connectors: TOSLINK optical output, rear speaker output (3.5 mm), subwoofer (3.5 mm), 1 microphone input (3.5 mm), headphone output (3.5 mm) and front (3.5 mm). The device has Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect technology. In the Sound Blaster AE-7, the manufacturer is upgrading the DAC with the addition of the ESS Saber 9018 amplifier, which increases the signal-to-noise ratio to 127dB with a harmonic distortion of 0.0001%. The card itself includes a complete package of sound enhancements, including customizable equalizers, sound profiles and Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume and Dialog Plus solutions to further enhance the sound quality. There is a Scout Mode function that gamers will appreciate.
Ultra-low output impedance of 1 ohm, support for studio headphones from 16 to 600 ohms, including Hi-End planar magnetic headphones. Pure rich sound when played back in 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 mode is the highest among the samples listed. There is a new Sound Blaster Command software for advanced audio customization with a toggle switch for quickly activating or deactivating audio processing effects.AE-7 sound card with a two-channel Xamp headphone amplifier that supplies power to each cup separately from the first amplification stage to the audio output.
Benefits:
- Plug-in external control module.
- Great sound, soft bass.
- Convenient software.
- No phoning when connecting / disconnecting headphones.
- Beautiful lighting.
- Added ESS Saber 9018 amplifier.
- Low output impedance.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- The back channel catches interference from the video card. If you have a 5.1 system with a discrete graphics card, then you are guaranteed interference.
- Sound recording - noisy, not of the highest quality.
I cannot call the Creative AE-7 a sound card that provides a fundamentally new level of sound quality for home systems. But this sound card can be recommended if you will be recording sound at the level of conversations in games or simple podcasts, but high-quality sound in headphones or on a home 5.1 / 7.1 system is important for you, the sound on which can be enjoyed thanks to hardware encoding Dolby Digital Live and DTS. For recording vocals and music, this device is not the best solution. At a price of 14,500 rubles, it is difficult to identify any objective shortcomings, although the amount is considerable, but you would have felt the difference in sound quality between the Creative AE-7 and ASUS Xonar DG from the first minutes. I would like to see a better sound recording. On the Yandex. Market 83% of buyers recommend this product.
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
Native Instruments KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 is not just a USB sound card, it is a six-channel audio interface that offers everything you need to record, play and present your music. The model has four analog I / O, digital I / O, MIDI, minimum latency. Convenient durable metal sound card housing, two microphone inputs with preamps, Cirrus Logic converters for precise transparent sound.
The audio interface is very flexible, with many options for connecting microphones, guitars, MIDI instruments, or other external devices. Whether you play virtual instruments or record sound, this new package has all the virtual instruments and effects. The device also offers new chips, audio drivers, low latency circuits. Direct Monitoring provides full direct control over the recording of guitar, vocals, or other live sources, according to Native Instruments. There are 6 inputs / outputs: 2 combo balanced mic / line / instrument inputs (XLR /1/4“) With phantom power and individual gain control, 2 balanced line inputs (1/4”TRS), 4 balanced analog outputs (1/4”TRS).
Digital S / PDIF stereo input and output (RCA), MIDI input and output. Headphone output (1/4”TRS) with independent volume control, monitoring source selection. Suitable for home or professional studio use, it is a good solution for sound producers. The model provides Direct monitoring with zero latency, a mix mixing button, a mono switch, a large and convenient volume control, 15 indication LEDs for complete "visual" monitoring. Full support for ASIO, Core Audio, DirectSound, WASAPI.
Benefits:
- Suitable for home and professional use.
- Cirrus Logic converter.
- Direct monitoring function.
- 15 indication LEDs for complete monitoring.
- Direct monitoring.
- ASIO, Core Audio, DirectSound, WASAPI support.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
- Sometimes the card freezes, the sound disappears, it is treated by restarting the PC.
This model rightfully occupies a leading position in our rating. Its main advantage is that it can be used both at home and at a professional recording studio. There is a direct monitoring function, many outputs and inputs, low latency, S / PDIF, MIDI, phantom power on two microphone inputs - there are many advantages over other competitors in the rating. This model is worth the money spent on it. Price - 19 thousand rubles. There are no problems with the device, it connects to a PC without any problems and is easily configured. On the Yandex. Market 78% of buyers recommend this product.
