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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2010
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I am setting up one of my old computers for music use only. It is a desktop machine and has the XP operating system. I am looking for recommendations for a quality sound card to use with the system, either internal or external. Any information and suggestions I can get will be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks.....
Phestus
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2010
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After posting my first query, I got to thinking that I also have an older HP laptop that could be used for my music efforts. It also has Windows XP. An external sound card would be required. Again, thanks for any info you can share.
Phestus
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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For stability, the desktop with a PCI card (like a Delta) would be suggested.
Laptops; some people find one card works well, while others find another works well.
M-Audio external units do not play nice with BiaB we are told, but work with Realband.
Some say Tascam units work well for BiaB and RB, others don't care for Tascam support.
I'd stick with the desktop for now if its up to the job, unless you need the mobility.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 68
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Thanks for the input, rharv. Good info. I thought about the external card/audio interface only because it can be used with either desktop or laptop, then I wouldn't be limiting myself to home use only.
Matt, if I could I would like to limit the cost to $150.00 or less. I will be using a GEM Genesys keyboard, a guitar, and a mic. The keyboard has midi in/out and I have a cable which turns that into usb. So, I would need a unit which has usb in for the kybd and usb out to connect to the computer. The computer will have BIAB 2011 and Sonar Home Studio 4. I look forward to hearing from you and any others who may be able to suggest something based on this additional info.
Phestus
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I use the Yamaha Audiogram 6 here and love it. It has xlr (phantom power) and 1/4" inputs and is a USB connection.
I use 2 USB slots on my laptop. One for my keyboard and one for soundcard. I connect my keyboard via the 1/4" plugs and the USB midi driver drives my Tyros. Easy to mix with Biab etc . . .
Trax
Last edited by Muzic Trax; 02/02/11 05:20 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks Trax. I'm gonna collect info for a few days then make up my mind. I just know the sound cards that come already installed on computers don't provide the quality sound that is needed to determine if the recorded input is adequate, bad, or excellent. Gotta keep looking.
Phestus
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I just don't get it! I have 3 M-Audio devices i)Delta 1010 ii)Audiophile USB and iii) Fast Track Ultra 8R.
Each and every one of these sound cards has never given me any problems with any computer or Windows operating system, 32 or 64 bit. Not even the scratchy sounds under 64 bit Windows that everyone is talking about. Maybe the M-Audio models I have are immune to the problems although the Fast Track Ultra 8R has been mentioned.
I can use ASIO drivers with BIAB with no problems but generally use MME as I work with two programs open - say BIAB and Reaper. Reaper runs with ASIO and BIAB with MME then I can drag and drop parts from BIAB to Reaper with no problems. Both programs run on their own screens on a dual display system.
Kevin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I am glad to hear it, Kevin. I still have the 8R on my wishlist.
I was just repeating what PGmusic staff has said here in the forum. Come to think of it they just said fastTrack, not the ultra by name.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I know a fellow who uses the Fast Track Pro with Biab and Realband on his Toshiba laptop and gets the work done. At first he had problems that we could not solve and as it turned out, the problem was solved for him by Toshiba Support, which pointed the finger at the laptop and not the softwares. Can't recall what that solve involved it was more than a year ago.
Bottom line is that there is so much that is important between laptop design, OS, BIOS and setup for this kind of work, can't really make equivocal statements as to whether or not a certain choice would flat out work with a certain machine or not.
That said, the OP may not really need the external sound device for working with the laptop when away from the studio. I found that I don't. That means I can use a PCI card in the home studio desktop and just rely on the internal soundcard in the laptop for those moments when away. But I don't attempt to do an hairy audio recording with the lappy like that. The playback side of today's laptops is really very good spec as compared with the past, this because of the large consumer interest in playing music, DVDs, etc.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
...So, I would need a unit which has usb in for the kybd and usb out to connect to the computer.
Hi Phestus,
USB connect doesn't work that way.
Both physical USB connections would have to connect to the computer.
Some may require insallation of proprietary Drivers, some are Class Compliant, meaning that they will be instantly recognized by Windows with no need to install their own drivers. It is more likely that you will find that the keyboards can be Class Compliant but the Audio device needs its own drivers installed, but not always. In all cases, the USB connects go from each device to computer, though.
Routing is accomplished via the software chosen.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Apprentice
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I have a real old Dell Laptop with XP operation system. I also have Soundblaster Audigy 2 plug-in sound card which works real well. I use my (old) 2010 BB Everything via USB plug-in and use it for guitar practice and teaching. Hope this helps.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Mac and Dave,
More good info and I really appreciate it. As you might gather from my questions and assumptions, I am new at this stuff, and I think the members of this forum will provide me with a good education. I'll gradually get it all figured out. In the meantime, I am enjoying reading all the posts and some good books I have checked out of the library. This stuff can get pretty complicated. Thanks again to all of you who have provided answers to help flatten out my learning curve.
Phestus
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