Windows Media Center Edition with M-AUDIO
Home > Home Recording Forum > Computers & Software > Windows Media Center Edition with M-AUDIO
Posted on Jan 31, 2008 11:58 am
sourberry
Member Since: Jan 21, 2008
I've read the warnings on this forum and on Sweetwater music that Win XP Media Center edition is not compatible with most audio recording software and USB audio interfaces.
I wanted to buy a M-AUDIO soundcard and sure enough this warning is on their site as well: www.m-audio.com/products/...ckPro-main.html
In fact this warning accompanies every product they sell on their website.
Okay, so I tried to install XP Pro. I have a Win Pro CD because it came with my wife's laptop. I started installation and I got a Blue Screen. So at this point should I just wipe my hard drive clean and try a fresh install? Please help this is really frustrating.
[ Back to Top ]
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 31, 2008 12:10 pm Loading in this manner won't work, for a few reasons:
1. The CD is probably built for her laptop, not for any other device. I've tried in the past to load using a dell XP CD on a different PC, and it didn't work.
2. The licensing scheme will ask you to register your XP after 30 days (or something similar). I can't vouch for exactly what will happen even if it does load, but know that it will be un-registered.
I guess I should ask if you are trying to load XP onto the wifey's laptop, but it sounds like you are not. Sounds like you have a PC with XP MC, and want to reload it.
It's possible that it will load if you remove MC, but be prepared for if it doesn't. Even if it does load, you may need to connect to MS to register the OS, and have it keep working.
Jan 31, 2008 12:35 pm I have a Dell XPS 410 Desktop. This system has windows media center installed. I want to install either Win Home or Win Pro, which I already have.
So you are suggesting that I get a new copy of Win Home Edition. And then install that, and that should work out?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 31, 2008 12:46 pm Well, I have Win Home on my laptop, and it's working with reaper, and my Tascam US122.
If you're referring to the Win XP CD that you have from the wife's laptop, then no, you don't have XP, because it's already registered to her PC. You can't load it onto another PC while she's using it.
Both Win XP and XP Home should be registered, and not being used elsewhere. If they are, then MS won't let you register them.
It sounds like you will need a new license of one or the other. I would suggest XP Pro, as it seems to work with everything. It sucks that you will have paid for a license for WinXP MC, and now not going to be using it, but I don't know what to do about that.
Jan 31, 2008 12:48 pm My neighbor will sell an unregistered, unused XP64 license and CD as he bought by mistake and with the seal broken he can't return it...totally not ever installed/used/registered.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 31, 2008 12:58 pm I would just reload XpMC, turn Media Center off, go into Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services and scroll down and disable all Windows Media Center services. You have nothing to lose but a bit of time if it doesn't work but I know of quite a few people who use Media Center and have no problems as long as it's not running.
I would stay away from XP64, especially if you plan to use M-Audio interfaces. Driver support is pretty poor regardless for XP64.
Dan
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 31, 2008 12:59 pm I use media center with Adboe Audition, used to use Cool Edit Pro, and have tried Nuendo with no problems so I don't believe that "most software" bit. I use an Echo Layla 24/96.
On some CD's it installs everything. On my dell I installed XP Pro and then there was a second CD that added the media center functions (both were dell CD's).
If you are buying the M-Audio stuff anyway, try it first before you spend more money.
Personally I would not buy hardware that is supported by only one OS running a specific SP.
Jan 31, 2008 01:22 pm Here's the reason I want to get a new soundcard:
I have a Creative XFI-XTREME MUSIC soundcard at present. But the problem I keep having is after I render my songs as a .wav file in Sonar, I burn the song using Windows Media Player to a CD. I then play this CD in my car, and it always ends up being quiet. Normally my car stereo is set to a volume of 8. This is a good volume for me to enjoy music at. But with my burnt CD, I have to push this volume up to 12.
So I thought maybe this is the soundcads fault. I really want to resolve this problem of volume. I've been having this for a year now. Thanks guys.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 31, 2008 01:32 pm I don't see that the OS is at fault.
Mastering house CDs (music store) are going to be LOUD, because they try to stuff all the sonic content they can into the wave form, without clipping.
Better known as the 'loudness wars'.
There are tools to do this too, and I think it's just a matter of volume control, and maximizing using the tools you have.
Read up on mastering, and maximizing / loudness for finished CDs, and I think you'll fix your problem. dB (posted above) does some mastering, maybe he could do one of your songs so you can see what's possible.
(sorry if I speak out of turn, dB).
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 31, 2008 01:34 pm Actually, this is good that you posted your intent, and problem, because it can probably be resolved without you spending any more $$$ or time on reloading.
It won't be a bad thing if you get a better interface, but if you don't know how to maximize your audio, then you won't know how to do it with a maudio device either.
hope that made sense.
Jan 31, 2008 01:43 pm Thanks. I think you put DB on the spot there, ha, ha.
The thing is, before I render the song as a .wav file, I make sure the master BUSS meters are hitting at least -3 db. I thought this should be loud enough. But apparently not loud enough for my car stereo.
Also, I'm using Altec Lansing computer speakers as my monitors. Is this a BIG NO, NO. Should I get some decent monitors? If so, what is a "decent monitor?"
Guys, I really appreciate your help. I went over to the Cakewalk Forums, and all I got there was get yelled at. It's depressing being an audio mixer, at least for me. There are so musch different advise. I almost gave up on producing music these past couple of days.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 31, 2008 01:52 pm I hit -6 in my final mixes and they are indeed quiet. Your issue is definitely mastering.
I use the L2 maximizer from Waves ($$$) but there are plenty of other things that will get the job done for cheaper.
You basically set a maximum output (I go -0.3) and then boost the signal using the maximizer until the limiter starts working. This helps balance out volume flucuations and also increases the overall volume.
It may sound difficult but is actually pretty simple to learn.
Jan 31, 2008 02:00 pm You guys are awesome. Thanks,I'll check out the L2 Maximizer from waves. How about Boost 11?
Yeah, I thought that my soundcard was at fault. But then again I have so many volume faders on this thing: The ASIO volume, the master volume. The wave volume to play back .wav and windows media player files. Yes, I can turn these up to full. Of course, then I will get a nice loud volume on my computer, and then the same thing: the burnt cd played on a boom box or car will be quiet.
So thanks again guys, I will check that plugin out.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 31, 2008 02:14 pm Over on the reaper board, there's a plug collection, called reaplugs.
In there (among others) is a multiband compressor (ReaXComp). This thing is stoopid-easy. I played with it for about 10 seconds, and already felt really at home.
I know this isn't a maximizer, but it acts the same way, but for separate parts.
reaper.fm/reaplugs/
This thing really boosted up the volume of my pre-master. I also used Scott Stillwell's Event Horizon 2 for my master limiter, but it only works in Reaper, I believe.
Khaejus has a master limiter you may want to try. It's worked for me quite well in the past, but I'm using the reaper plugs now.
www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php
Most of their stuff is pretty decent.
Jan 31, 2008 02:40 pm Thanks again. So one more question: I'm using a pair of Altec Lansing computer speakers for audio production. Is this a big No, No!
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 31, 2008 03:11 pm Well, it's not great. There won't be the 'flat'-ish response, but it's better than nothing.
When you listen to your mix on other systems, learn where you're off. Like, if you listen to your mix on a decent system, and there's too much bass, then you need to turn down your bass in the mix. This will need to be learned, so you know just how much to tweak a mix.
There also may not be as much detail as in higher-end speakers, but you can still mix. Just learn where hot and cold spots are, and you can live with it.
Also, get a few CDs that you are used to listening to on decent systems, and listen to them on your mix environment. Try to make your mix sound very similar to the CD you listened to. This can get you pretty close too.
Also, there's har-bal. This will create a EQ mix that's comparable / equivalent to someone else's CD. I believe you tell har-bal to 'learn' someone else's CD, then you tell HB to apply the same EQ characteristics to your mix.
I think that's it, someone can correct me if I'm off my rocker =). At least, I think that's ONE way of working with it.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 31, 2008 03:42 pm I would definitely get some responses from the regulars before going off to buy the waves stuff. They are great plugins but cost and arm and a leg, I'm not even sure if you can buy them seperate.
DB mentioned some plugins that were free\cheap that would probably do the job nicely.
Jan 31, 2008 03:47 pm Thanks. I'll check out har-bal. As for mastering plugins, OZONE seems like a good one.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 31, 2008 03:56 pm Ozone is a cool product and can make things sound great, it really has the ability to make things sound really bad if used incorrectly (or if you stick to only the presets). It truly is an odd beast and in the wrong hands can do more damage than good. Things will sound great on one set of speakers but like doo doo on others.
For mastering I would suggest 1) a great mix 2) HarBal for harmonic balancing and adding some air and 3) a good Maximizer\Limiter to bring your volume up. Just my $0.02.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Feb 01, 2008 12:36 am If you have Boost 11 that's a pretty decent Maximizer, in fact there were enough Sonar Producer users asking for it that it's now included in Sonar 7PE.
I agree Harbal is a great tool to have, and Ozone is another great tool to have just depends on how much money you want to spend, there's always something to buy. :)
Dan
