Newbie, need a little bit of help

[Edutittam]

I don't have the sound card on my laptop to use the "What U Hear" option. I've looked around a bit for USB sound card but I'm pretty new to any lingo I've only had about 6 hours of audio class heh. Is there a USB sound card out there for under 40 USD that would cut it? Would something like the Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 work or not? I've done a ton of researching but I'm running my self in circles, even if it happens to be expensive I'd like to know of it because I will need one regardless of price I'd just like to be able to go cheaper

Edit: It seems as if i have a card input so would a USB work or should i get a card?

[waxcylinder]

One of the regular posters on the forum, Stevethefiddle, uses one of these and is very happy with it. When I bought a soundcard my shortlist was was down to this one or the Edirol UA-1EX which was more expensive but had some extra features that I needed.

See this sticky thread for soundcard reviews: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9477

WC

[Edutittam]

Ok i noticed the sticky talks about XP, but i have Vista Home Premium I'm sure the Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 would probably work smoothly but i'd just like to make sure so i can go with the Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 i'd be able to use What U Hear and use vista as well? if so this would be great.

[steve]

The UCA 202 works with Vista.
I don't think it has "What-U-Hear" recording on Windows (though you can on Linux with PortAudio).
To record "What-U-Hear" (Stereo Mix) you can connect the outputs to the inputs with a pair of RCA leads (the standard leads that you get for connecting CD players/cassette players/amplifiers and the like). This works very well.

[Edutittam]

Ok so would i have to use this product and connect both outs to both ins? or just one? my computer lacks a line in so i still need a way to use line in. and does anyone have an example of what an RCA cable for a laptop looks like, because i may just have some.

[steve]

Ok so would i have to use this product and connect both outs to both ins? or just one?

To record what is playing on your computer (equivalent to recording "Stereo Mix") you would connect both "outs" to both "ins".
To hear what is being recorded you would plug headphones into the UCA-202 headphone socket.

i still need a way to use line in.

To use the Line-in, you would disconnect the stereo RCA cable that you are using as a "loop-back" connection on the UCA-202 and connect the audio source (cassette player / CD player or whatever) to the Line-in of the UCA-202.

does anyone have an example of what an RCA cable for a laptop looks like, because i may just have some.

You probably do, they are very common. Here's a picture of a typical, budget, RCA cable:

http://www.hometech.com/hts_images/gc/gc-crmsrm_1.jpg

[Edutittam]

Ok so would i have to use this product and connect both outs to both ins? or just one?

To record what is playing on your computer (equivalent to recording "Stereo Mix") you would connect both "outs" to both "ins".
To hear what is being recorded you would plug headphones into the UCA-202 headphone socket.

i still need a way to use line in.

To use the Line-in, you would disconnect the stereo RCA cable that you are using as a "loop-back" connection on the UCA-202 and connect the audio source (cassette player / CD player or whatever) to the Line-in of the UCA-202.

does anyone have an example of what an RCA cable for a laptop looks like, because i may just have some.

You probably do, they are very common. Here's a picture of a typical, budget, RCA cable:

http://www.hometech.com/hts_images/gc/gc-crmsrm_1.jpg

Ooooh yeah thats what i figured i have plenty RCA cables. thanks a lot everyone!