Before I change my brand new motherboard...
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Posted on May 30, 2002 07:08 pm
shepherdsam
patron saint of quality footwear
Member Since: May 30, 2002
Could someone please offer some advice for a relative newbie?
I recently was given a new computer, It is a nice machine but wasn't purchased with audio recording/editing in mind. without getting into too many details this is what I have... will it be okay or should I replace my motherboard?
VIA Samuel
601 Mhz
248 MB RAM
Motherboard: PLE01
Chipset: VIA Apollo PLE133, VT8601A and VT82C686B
Onboard audio: AC'97 Digital audio controller
Onboard video: Trident video accelerator
I am running Microsoft XP Professional but the install was ACPI compliant. Should I change this as well? I can't record sound with the onboard AC'97 for some reason.I also have a Soundblaster live card and I tried installing it as well but it isn't functioning properly (crackles/pops). I used the soundblaster on my old system (166Mhz noname 32MB Ram w/Windows 98se) with no problems ever.
I have been using cool edit pro but was thinking of going with Cakewalk Guitar tracks pro, any insight?
Sorry for all the questions, any help would be vastly appreciated.
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May 30, 2002 09:05 pm I think it looks acceptable for recording, the only thing I would recommend is, if you put is if you put in your Sound Blaster, go into BIOS and disable the onboard sound, those AC'97 codec chip suck for recording...well, they don't even go so far as to suck, they just don't work, as you found out.
I don't recommend SoundBlasters, but I would recommend that over the onboard sound chip, my MoBo has the AC'97 too, I disabled it during the first boot.
Disabling ACPI would be advisable too if your BIOS lets you, some don't...
shepherdsampatron saint of quality footwearMember
Since: May 30, 2002
May 30, 2002 10:29 pm Thanks for the good news, I've been going insane.
What would you recommend soundcard wise? I'd like at least 2 inputs, preferably 1/4 inch. I'd also rather not have to buy a mixer.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 30, 2002 11:31 pm I will only second dB's recomending a better quality card. If you can afford to do it now, I would stay away from the SB type of card's and invest in alittle better card. I use the M-Audio Delta 44, and will be adding their Omni I/O for the card. I have not had any trouble with it at all.
May 31, 2002 05:02 am Before recommending any cards I would like to know what you have to spend on one, as the prices vary greatly, if the in and out config of the SB is fine for you, then I agree with the above about the Audio2496, it is one of the three or four that I am seriously considering upgrading to personally. If you want to spend more money there are cards with more ins and outs if you want to record a whole band at once, something like the Delta 1010 ( service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear )would be very cool.
There is a wide range of cards, so before you take any serious recoemmendation, let us know your plans, what you plan to record and how.
I would recommend staying away from Echo because of your VIA chipset, they prefer Intel and work best with it. I have heard this has been fixed with their latest cards like the Mia, but who knows...I just know I had A LOT of trouble with non-intel chipsets on my current Echo Gina20 card.
shepherdsampatron saint of quality footwearMember
Since: May 30, 2002
May 31, 2002 10:55 am For the most part, I'll just be recording guitar, bass and a little vocals. Although once the basement is finished (could be 2 years) I will add a cheapo drum kit. Money wise I'm not rich but I'll save and get the right soundcard as I don't get the feeling this is an area I should cut corners on. I might be interested in a keyboard type midi controller too but it isn't something I really need it would be more or less a toy to learn keys on.
Thanks all.
May 31, 2002 11:08 am then you would be quite safe with a Delta 44 or something 4 in and 4 out type of setup.
shepherdsampatron saint of quality footwearMember
Since: May 30, 2002
May 31, 2002 12:10 pm Sorry for all the questions, but since you've all been so helpful...
I've been looking at a few cards, and I'm leaning towards M-audio's delta 44 or audiophile.
Would I still need a mic pre-amp for either of these? I won't be able to afford a card and the omni I/O at the same time.
I had been recording my guitar amp with a mic straight into my soundblaster (I realize now I shouldn't but it sounded fine). I would ultimately like to plug my guitar into the soundcard and use computer based amps (revalver or amp farm) for punch-ins.
shepherdsampatron saint of quality footwearMember
Since: May 30, 2002
May 31, 2002 12:41 pm Thanks again for the advice, I must say this board rules.
This is quite the community you have here.
May 31, 2002 12:46 pm thank you, it has been 4 years in the making (this is the 4th attempt at a forum having to junk a few thousand messgaes a few times:-( but I think this one is here to stay), but I think it's turned out pretty good...welcome aboard, we always dig new peeps joining and getting involved :-)
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
May 31, 2002 03:19 pm I highly recomend getting a mixer at least though, instead of running the guitar straight into the soundcard. But yeah, I'm looking at a new soundcard also and the Delta 44 seems nice for my price range, although I really want the 1010. I'm such a gear whore
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 01, 2002 04:04 am The 44 is a great staring point, and also a great card period. As I stated B4, that is the card I use in my system, alongside an SB Live. I use the SB for the General Midi synth and the Sound Font Setup, as I do lot of work for setting up sound Font's for other's. but the Delta has never failed me yet. And I will expand with the Omni I/O.
I believe M-Audio is coming out with a version of the 1010 that is going to be USB. That would be a great addition to their already great line of goodie's.
shepherdsampatron saint of quality footwearMember
Since: May 30, 2002
Jun 01, 2002 02:12 pm I really like Aardvark's Q10. Is there an alternative with less ins/outs but still with the Hi-Z guitar inputs? I'm not sure about laying out that much cash for all those inputs I'll never use.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jun 01, 2002 08:34 pm Gasp, Inputs you'll never use? I'll not hear of it! hehe... Yeah I want something with like 60 ins, of course I'll never record 60 tracks at once, but just to have that power... Man I'm a retard. hehe. Hey, this is an off topic question but is there a mixer with like an out for every in? so if I have a card with 10 ins and a 10 channel mixer I can run the instrament into the mixers in and then the out of that into the in of the soundcard so that in my Software each track is in a different one.. Make sense? If not I'll go into detail in a new thread.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jun 01, 2002 09:51 pm I love my Q10 now that I have all of my bugs ironed out... I will use the HiZ inputs on every band that lets me too. but I also have an amp simulator . . . and for micing drums. . . 8 is cutting it close on large sets. . .but you can record a band live through headphones and have everything be nicely isolated :) and it's soo nice to not have to deal with mics or amps with acoustic electric guitars. . .
peace
sam
[email protected]
www.Track100.com
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 02, 2002 09:29 pm Yes, some of the bigger mixer's, and by bigger I don't mean huge mixing desk's. Behringer and Mackie both have channel insert's which in reality are a direct channel path in and out. I am sure some of the other's do also. I have a Behringer Eurodesk 2442 and that has the insert point on each channel like that. I use it that way and as processor insert's all the time.
