Sound Card recording quality VS External Recording Device quality?

Question

I am recording a music CD for a local not-for-profit Violin Performance group. I have a HP Computer running Windows XP, and have Sony ACID XMC, and other recording software. Can anyone recommend a good Mic (less than $100) that will either plug into my sound card or USB? It needs at least be able to record in CD quality (44.1khz, 16 bit, stereo).

Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Your computer sound card is really the weak point in your recording system.  They really are not made for high fidelity recording.

There are a few ways to bypass that for not too much money.  One way would be a USB microphone:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C...

Another would be a "computer audio interface" and a microphone:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPR...