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PowerTracks Pro Audio Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7 |
I've been using Powertracks Pro 12 for about a year now and was wondering if I should step up and pick up a real sound card. The onboard sound is the infamous Realtek alc888s and I'm using Vista Home Premium 32 bit with many performance tweaks, so ASIO4ALL is running okay with about 10ms latency. I've been using 16bit/44.1K and played around a little with 48K and 96K using the line in input.
I've seen a few discussions and the m-audio 2496 and 1010lt look like good cards. Does anyone have any thoughts on these or any other cards that will work and will I really notice 24bit recording differences? Do both of these cards have the same performance characteristics but differ only with the number of inputs? the 1010lt claims zero latency monitoring - is that also true of the 2496? Isn't it true I would need to later dither back to 44.1K/16bit for a CD recording? I'm hoping some of you may be able to guide me. I do mostly solo recording and woudn't mind midi on the card too, but I already have a midisport 1x1. Will a real sound card "WOW" me???
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PowerTracks Pro Audio Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 55
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 55 |
The M Audio cards are real good for the price. The 1010 I believe gives you 8 analog INs and a stereo Spdif digital IN, same for the OUTs. Even though it's a 24 bit card you can still record in 16 bits. If you decide to record in 24 bit which gives you more headroom and dynamic range then you can dither down to 16 bit when it comes time to write your master for your CD. The 1010 is a PCI card usually with a Breakout box that houses the inputs and outputs so you have to make sure you have a free PCI slot in your computer. If you are recording alone usually then 8 analog ins seems to be a bit much. Oh yeah, and zero latency means that the unit supports Direct Monitoring which bypasses the computer path and you can monitor what you are inputting through the card itself. I still have the Delta 66 in one of my computers and that was plenty for home recording, but I got a Firewire MOTU Traveler because I needed the 8 analog INs to transfer tracks from other sources as I do mixing and mastering jobs too. I do tracking with this interface too but I also have a laptop and the USB interface I got for that is a simple thing called the EMU Tracker Pre and it also has Direct Monitoring. You can't really go wrong with a USB interface, or Firewire, but for laptops Firewire becomes a bit of a concern because most laptops usually only come with 4 pin Firewire connection and audio recording needs the 6 pin, so you have to go and get an adapter card that converts to 6 pin. Texas Instruments make the best and stable ones so you have to shop around.
You may not be wowed by the 1010 but I think you will notice an improvement, and you can't go wrong for the price. But, in summary, if 10 inputs is a bit much then shop around for good USB interface with 2 or 4 inputs. Hope this helps.
Fivehands
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PowerTracks Pro Audio Wishlist
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
You may not get a gigantic improvement in your latency (or the sound quality), although you can expect some. With an M-Audio Delta 1010, I get reliable performance at 5-6 ms latency. Things will work at lower latencies of 3 or so, but with occasional disasters that make the improvement not worth the bother.
The 1010 LT is different from the standard 1010; the LT does not have a breakout box, but instead a great snarl of RCA cables out the back, like a plate of spaghetti. It sounds decent, and you can get good ones cheap off eBay, from people who have upgraded. As Fivehands says, the amount of I/O on a 1010 is huge. The 2496 is enough for a lot of people, especially if you get a little mixer.
WARNING: In previous years, there was widespread trouble with the MIDI I/O of the 1010 LT. That MIDI was often unusable, because it induced constant soft popping in the audio. MIDI in all other M-Audio PCI cards is excellent, although the Delta 44 and Delta 66 (with breakout boxes) do not provide MIDI at all.
PCI soundcards still remain less troublesome than external ones, if you have the choice.
Larry
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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