[TriLUG] Slightly OT: Audio Digitizing Hardware Question

[Scott Chilcote]

Hi TriLUGers,

I have been making some audio recordings with Audacity for a home
project, and the results are pretty bad.  I have decided that the 
digitizing hardware at the audio input in my ASUS laptop is really low
quality.  Every recording sounds compressed and muffled, regardless of
the source.

Just for grins, I tried this $6 gadget that I had in my junk drawer:
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Virtual-External-Surround-USB-AUDD/dp/B00D69U1B0 
While not great, it was a HUGE improvement over the built-in hardware!

Do any LUGgers use external devices to convert analog to digital?  For
this application, Linux compatibility is not essential.  Audacity is
multi-platform.  But it wouldn't hurt...

A have a friend who does professional recording, and he uses a rack
mounted A to D converter that cost $$$$.  I'm not going for the pro
level, but I'd like to find out if there's hardware that can do a
respectable job on a hobbyist's budget.

Thanks muchly,

   Scott C.

-- 
Scott Chilcote
scottchilcote at ncrrbiz.com
Cary, NC USA