Audio interface question
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Posted on Jan 24, 2009 05:31 pm
Soul Bass
Member Since: Jan 24, 2009
If I was to buy an audio interface, such as the Line6 TonePort, could I discard my consumer-grade soundcard as the TonePort would substitute every function of the soundcard (I think)?
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zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 24, 2009 05:40 pm No... I think... usually interfaces arn't able to generate midi sounds...as they would generally pass midi data through to something that produces better sounds..
the biggest effect this would have is with games that use a lot of 3D souldns...like shooters.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 24, 2009 09:51 pm That is only if you are a gamer.
Jan 25, 2009 07:08 am I'm not a gamer actually. But MIDI is only data, that is rendered by whatever wavetable existing on the computer, right? I'm sure toneport could do all that
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 25, 2009 12:34 pm It would map thru the mssynth (windows) wavtable, not as good as say an SB, but usable.
Dan
farnumMember
Since: Jan 25, 2009
Jan 25, 2009 02:47 pm I actually came here to ask the same question. I don't think Soul Bass was asking about being about to use his TonePort as a Sound Blaster card, besides the fact that those cards are hardly useful at all anyway these days unless you're trying to play Ultima VII on your grandma's computer.
What I think he was asking and what I'm asking is can I select my TonePort (actually in my case I'm thinking about getting a POD Studio UX2, I know it's almost the same thing) as the default audio out in Windows? For instance, can I hook the balanced 1/4" outs on the TonePort to my Mackie speakers and hear the output from Winamp or Reason or what have you? Also would this be a low-latency WDM or ASIO or what?
Basically I want to use the TonePort both as a recording interface and as an external computer audio interface, whenever it suits me. Is this possible or recommended?
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 25, 2009 03:22 pm Yes you can set the UX2 as the default audio device that will be used by Windows. What the other notes were about ie: midi is that they don't make very good gaming audio interfaces, which may or may not be important, just something to be aware of. You also won't have 5.1 support if you wish to watch DVD's for instance.
Dan
Jan 25, 2009 03:27 pm That is exactly what I was asking! Much nicely put of course.
I'm actually buying the POD Studio UX2, but I refer to it as toneport to make it easy.
But in my case, I don't have a Mackie to redirect to my speakers. So I ask, is that all possible if I simply connect the toneport via USB to the computer?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 25, 2009 07:23 pm Yes, it is.
farnumMember
Since: Jan 25, 2009
Jan 25, 2009 07:27 pm @olddog and Noize2u
thanks guys for answering my question
Also do you know specifically if the TonePort can use both WDM and ASIO drivers, or which one? And do you have any experience regarding how low the latency is on them?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 25, 2009 08:05 pm It will use either driver type. It actually installs both and you simply choose which one to use in your recording software.
Using ASIO drivers I get about 1.3ms of latency. With WDM I get about 4.7ms. Both are more then acceptable.
You can also use the direct monitoring option which will give you zero latency.
farnumMember
Since: Jan 25, 2009
Jan 26, 2009 12:30 pm wow thank you so much it really means a lot to be able to get this input before i buy. thanks.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 26, 2009 12:37 pm Yes, I use my UX8 running through my monitors for games, sounds crispy and clean indeed :)
Jan 27, 2009 05:40 am
Does the toneport act like a pre-amp or just like an audio interface?
Also, would it sound better if I connected my bass through my D.I to a mixer then to the toneport-->PC?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 27, 2009 12:28 pm Umm, I would think straight into the toneport would give you the best sound, only one way to find out I guess. For direct bass I think straight into the toneport would be your cleanest option.
On the computer speakers, toneport just acts as a soundcard.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 27, 2009 08:16 pm Straight into the Toneport.
Mar 02, 2009 06:11 am But, actually, what are the differences between connecting the instruments through a jack 1/4" and through DI to the toneport?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 02, 2009 09:04 am DI are made to be able to convert INST level signal (and impedance) down to MIC level, so you can plug an instrument (or a line level signal) into a FOH mixer desk. While it does impart some type of sonic character, I wouldn't use the DI for that purpose. If you can already put signal into your signal chain without using the DI, then why add it? You'd be going from INST level, down to MIC level, into the mixer, the back up to LINE level to go into the toneport. Plug right from INST into the toneport, and you're signal will be cleaner.
