External sound cards may include a few audio inputs or a full mixing console.
External sound cards let you work outside the limits of your computer by providing superior sound quality, better-built recording inputs and portability. An external sound card works cohesively with digital recording programs of all types, and is sometimes packaged with exclusive software. Setting up one of these devices and its software takes a relatively short amount of time; you can begin recording music immediately afterward.
Instructions
General Setup
1. Install the drivers for your sound card. These will either come on an accompanying CD or will auto-install when you plug the sound card into your computer. If you bought the sound card used and require a driver disc, check the manufacturer's website.
2. Install the audio-recording software. If the recording software came with the sound card, it will usually install the drivers for the sound card as well.
3. Plug a microphone or instrument into the sound card. The number and types of inputs on your sound card will vary depending on the model; they can range from basic 1/4-inch, 1/8-inch and USB inputs to professional-style XLR, MIDI and SP-DIF inputs.
Recording in Pro-Tools
4. Open the program and create a new project. Press "Ctrl+Shift+N" to create a new track. Select a mono or stereo track, depending on whether your instrument is using one or two channels, and press "Enter."
5. Return to program's main mixing window, if it isn't already displayed. Flip back and forth between the main window and the recording window by pressing "Ctrl+=." Click on the button that displays the sound source of your track; change it to the input you have your instrument plugged into, if necessary.
6. Press the "R" button on your new track. This will activate the track for recording; you will now be able to hear your instrument. Adjust the volume so you don't hear any clipping noises or distortion. Press "Ctrl+="to switch back to the main recording window.
7. Click the "Record" button in the recording window and press the space bar on your keyboard to begin recording. Press the space bar again when you're ready to stop.
Recording in Adobe Audition
8. Open Audition and enter Waveform View either by pressing "8" on your keyboard or by clicking on the Waveform button.
9. Click on the "Record" button. Choose a sample rate, the number of channels and the resolution of your recording. Click "Ok." Play the instrument or sing into the microphone to record audio.
10. Click on the "Stop" button when you are done recording.
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