Author Topic: sound cards (Read 1036 times)

Grimloq · **on:** December 16, 2004, 07:29:42 pm

ok, im pretty worked up over some issues with friends (that, for their sakes, im not going to repeat) and some of you might have already caught flak because of that (sorry if i got you) but im not here to complain about that, so dont worry:

anyway, i have a keyboard, and it has midi-transfer capabilities (sos i can play it into my computer etc) but my computer has an integrated sound card in it. so no midi ports

so, is it worth it to get a whole new sound card? my integrated one is ok, it works fine, but then again ive never seen a computer that uses a big fancy one. for example, i saw a sound card (a big one, it looks like it goes into a CD-ROM slot) and it has MIDI ports, a volume control, it looks like it has an amp or something, etc etc. basicly, it looks REALLY cool and hi-tech.
but it costs 199$ (US $ that is). but AGAIN it looks VERY nice and powerful (with like 5 plugs in it!

i dont know what they do though)

so, is it worth it?

is there any performance increase? is the sound higher-quality?

actually, it will prolly be worth it just for the MIDI ports. but im not sure.

so, i want opinions.

Grey Wolf · **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2004, 07:40:19 pm

Depends on the quality of the integrated. Also, no need to go higher than the basic Audigy 2.

Hippo · **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2004, 07:46:41 pm

I never noticed a difference between sound cards... Hell, if it makes noise, and can e connected to speakers, its good

Grimloq · **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2004, 07:49:19 pm

ahHA! that was it! THAT Was what it was called... *coulndt remember*

the integrated works fine, but its like... just fine. i never really thought about it.

it seems like its just the bare bones of a sound card. it plays sound right. i dunno.
if a REAL sound card would improve performance or add new features (well, not features... you know what i mean) then itd prolly be worth it... *draws attention back to midi ports*

Flipside · **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2004, 07:52:33 pm

It depends on whether you are planning to use your computer as the Tone generator, or whether you will use your keyboard. If you're planning to run software synths, you will probably need a new sound card, which is ASIO compatible, though I think there is an ASIO DirectX wrapper on the Internet somewhere.

If you're using your keyboard then you need a lead which will convert your joystick port into a midi port, they are quite expensive, but not nearly as expensive as a new soundcard. You should then be able to use Cakewalk or Cubase or whatever to control your keyboard (allegedly - in experience it takes a tiny bit longer to get everything talking).

Grey Wolf · **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2004, 07:55:01 pm

You could pick up an older sound card. An SB Live! 5.1 for example: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-173&depa=0
$36.50 w/ S&H.

Grimloq · **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2004, 08:02:57 pm

flip: i plan on using my keyboard to play the music (into my computer) and POSSIBLY edit the music/sound effects (i CAN do sound effects!) with any programs i might have that are of use there.

the important thing is that this one that i saw (*shudder* i hate that phrase...) has midi ports. i HAVE some MIDI cables, and then can already plug right into the back of my keyboard, but just not into my computer. which is wehre they need to go...

and IIRC (which i likely dont) some sound cards have their own memory caches which store sound in games (?) etc, saving RAM. is that right, or is my memory playing mean tricks on me?

wolf-dude: hrrmm... that could work... i HATE ordering computer stuff online though... meh. *makes mental note*

Grey Wolf · **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2004, 08:06:29 pm

Newegg is a reputable site. About half the computer sitting next to me was ordered from there...

Flipside · **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2004, 08:11:02 pm

I'd suggest going for a quality card like the Soundblaster card anyway if you plan on audio editing. And don't worry too much about the Ram thing, the computer will sort that out itself.

One thing you do need to remember if you are recording your keyboards is that not only do you need to connect the two midi-midi, you have to connect them from Audio out on your keyboard to Audio in on your computer to record the final version in audio so that you can edit it.

Grimloq · **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2004, 08:13:20 pm

Quote

Originally posted by Flipside
One thing you do need to remember if you are recording your keyboards is that not only do you need to connect the two midi-midi, you have to connect them from Audio out on your keyboard to Audio in on your computer to record the final version in audio so that you can edit it.

sentence was too long.. didnt register... ill try to understand:

you mean make sure i dont hook up the wrong cord to the wrong cord?

Flipside · **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:04:50 pm

LOL Nope, you send midi signals up and down the midi lead, but, once you've finished the tune, you'll probably want to record it onto your computer.

All I'm saying is don't forget you'll need to connect your keyboards Audio out plug to your computers Audio-in plug to do that, you can't record sound through a midi lead

Grimloq · **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:06:19 pm

*is technologically stupid*

would that maybe be the headphone jack?

Flipside · **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:11:54 pm

It'll be either Audio out or Headphones on your keyboard to an input marked either 'Line in' or 'Mic-in' on your sound card.

With any luck there will be a line-in input since using the Mic-in plug can cause 'feedback' (whistling).

IceFire · **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:18:44 pm

You only really notice differences between sound cards if you are naturally attuned to noticing small differences in sounds or if you've been trained in a formal or non-formal way to notice.

I've taken a few audio courses now and I've developed a severe sensitivity to sound thats done badly. Includes CD's, sound systems, and computer speakers. That said, I'm still content with a $120 5.1 sound arrangement from Altec Lansing. They sound good and they have an excellent mid-high balance and good signal to noise so I'm happy.

But I'm still a critic and I find a cause for complaint at many bars and concerts because they haven't properly balanced the sounds. You can do it on paper and mathematically but I'm all for just using your darned ears.

Anyways, if you want to do MIDI, get a sound card that can do MIDI. If you really care about quality you'll build an audio rack and a studio worth $10,000. If not, get what you can for the best prices

With sound...skys the limit really.

Flipside · **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:22:57 pm

Indeed, I started with a Tascam 4-Track, a fender strat, an octaver for bass notes and a Korg £60 drum machine

Cyker · **Reply #15 on:** December 17, 2004, 01:26:25 pm

If you are ONLY after the MIDI ports, try and find a standard connector for it:

They cost £5-10 and have a 2-row 15-way D-sub at one end (NOT a 3-row 15-pin D-sub like VGA!) and 2 x 5-pin DIN MIDI ports at the other.

The big box you talk about sounds like the break-out box that you get with lots of soundcards today - They are a gimmick, but can be nifty (I can remote-control my compy with my SBLive! IR remote

).

Mine has mini-DIN plugs for MIDI connectors and has all sorts of Line-In and SPDIF crap all over it (Most of which I never use!). However, plugging non-digital stuff in has really ****ty quality compared to plugging it directly to the sound card, so as I said it's a bit of a gimmick.

Generally, the only cards worth considering are SB Live/Audigy atm (They really ****ing suck, but they still blow almost everyone else out of the water, sadly).

However, many mobos, esp. nForce ones, have incredibly good sound hardware that is equal to all but the top-of-the-line sound cards.
If you have this, stick with it - there's no point in getting another card.

Also, if you're gonna be doing some hardcore sound stuff, make sure you get a card with ASIO-certified drivers; Only the top-end SB's have that, but good alternatives are the Terratec cards - Cheaper too, but not so great all-rounders as SB's.

If you have an old SB16-type motherboard 'tho, pick up a cheap PCI sound card. You'll loose DOS compatibility (Because everyone is too ****ing cheap to build it into their cards!!), but you'll get much better quality (Lower CPU usage, more than 2 sound channels etc..).

My SBLive Platinum is going pretty cheap these days and you'll get all the MIDI cables with it too!

Krackers87 · **Reply #16 on:** December 17, 2004, 01:47:30 pm

Intergrated?!!! GAHHH!!!

*scratches eyes out Until they Bleed*

Flipside · **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2004, 02:17:04 pm

Actually, if money wasn't an option and you weren't interested in 'gimmicks', I'd recommend an Audiophile over an Audigy any day of the week. It doesn't have built in reverb or Environmental sound, but it'll blow the Audigy clear out of the water for recording quality and virtual synths (the Audigy records at 48000Khz, 16Bit, an Audiophile at 96,000Khz 32Bit Floating point)

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