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I am going to risk sounding like an idiot because I am a computer guy by profession, but this is outside the scope of what my line of work ever requires me to do so I honestly don't know this.
I have an M-Audio Fast Track Pro 2. I have had it 2 years, and every day I have had it, I have referred to it as my MIDI interface. I think of a "sound card" as something completely different, given that MIDI is data and AUDIO is sound.
Yet all along this thread I am seeing the terms used almost interchangeably. People are asking about their sound card and everyone is referring them to M-Audio for devices I consider to be MIDI interfaces. Given that my experience before BIAB was exclusively with Sonar where sounds were created by soft synths and/or ported through my MIDI interface, I am lost as to where the computer's onboard sound card fits into the mix. I always considered the sound card as a totally different piece of the puzzle, and in the context I am seeing this question asked I don't know if the original post was about the computer sound card or the MIDI interface. That may stem from my not grasping the concept of what my MIDI interface actually does when used with BIAB. I know that when I used it with Sonar, what I had programmed to play on MIDI channel 5 went through my M-Audio out to my MIDI patch bay and tot he keyboard set for channel 5 and that generated the sound. All MIDI, all about data. Nothing at all to do with sound. So I am confused as to what this thread is really asking. Drivers for a sound card or drivers for a MIDI interface?
Last edited by eddie1261; 06/26/11 07:22 PM.
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At the risk of hijacking the thread, Eddie, drivers for a sound card include both drivers for MIDI and drivers for audio. There are a few devices like the Uno that do just MIDI, and an even smaller number that do just audio (like my tiny StarTech 7.1 card that looks like a flash drive and works great on my laptop. The one thing for certain is that for pro audio, you should not be using your computer's onboard soundcard, particularly on a laptop.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thanks Matt. My MIDI interface carries ALL my sound, even when I play a CD or MP3s so I needed to ask someone why the fuss about the onboard sound cards. Mine is totally disabled on my studio computer since I don't ever use it.
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Quote:
My MIDI interface carries ALL my sound, even when I play a CD or MP3s
Then it's not just a MIDI interface. It is a sound card.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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i have had a good look on the web at the 1010lt sound card....where does the guitar input to?one of those trailing leads? i have noticed that with the BX5A speakers there is no enclosed cable connections....what are they,what is it i need,standard 1/4" guitar jack connection cables? thanks guys. posted y'all a wee video of a great guitarist in the OFF TOPIC forum by way of a thank you 
Last edited by vishnu; 06/27/11 09:31 AM.
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Quote:
...I have referred to it as my MIDI interface. I think of a "sound card" as something completely different, given that MIDI is data and AUDIO is sound.
This is one of those technical definition of terms Eddie. The term "soundcard" came from the old cards that actually had a synth built in and were therefore capabable of producing sound on their own. Plus the term "card" commonly meant in computerspeak a physical card that you installed on a slot on your motherboard like a video card and that's what we all did 10-15 years ago. Modern interfaces are technically not soundcards at all, they don't install on your motherboard and they don't have any ability to produce sound from a built in synth. You notice on M-Audio's website describing your Fast Track Pro, they make no mention of the term soundcard. They talk about how you can use midi cables and/or plug in a mic or instrument.
A lot of people simply refer to these things as soundards out of habit and it's sort of a generic term now like Xerox. Some people will say make a Xerox of this document when they actually have an HP copier. You're right "soundcard" is an incorrect term if you want to be precise about it but you call it a midi interface, it's actually an audio/midi interface. Personally I try to use terms like this correctly because things change and we all need to keep up to avoid confusion. The only true soundcard in production that I'm aware of and of course there could be others, are some of the Creative Soundblasters because they still have their synths that you can use to play your midi tracks or games.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Bob,
I had this same argument many moons ago on this Forum. I was quite chastised for saying that an "audio/midi interface card" was not really meant to be called a soundcard.I agree with you.
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BUMP! i have had a good look on the web at the 1010lt sound card....where does the guitar input to?one of those trailing leads?
i have noticed that with the BX5A speakers there is no enclosed cable connections....what are they,what is it i need,standard 1/4" guitar jack connection cables?
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Bob and John, YOUR two replies more than any make it clearer and I always lived in the exact same mindset you described, where "card" was a physical card you inserted into a slot. I went through all of them too, all the Creative Labs "latest and greatest" ending up with the AWE Gold 32, which is still in a closet somewhere. (Once I pay money for something I just can't throw it away. I have 3 old ATI video cards that were great in their day, but then again, so was I in my day.... time to toss them. Same concept.
This M-Audio I use is great. Plays well all the hardware and software I have tossed at it and their support is close to the quality level as the support at BIAB.
Still doesn't correct my pitch when I sing, but....
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I suspect that we'll still call them soundcards for awhile, much like we still say we "dial" a phone.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Quote:
BUMP! i have had a good look on the web at the 1010lt sound card....where does the guitar input to?one of those trailing leads?
i have noticed that with the BX5A speakers there is no enclosed cable connections....what are they,what is it i need,standard 1/4" guitar jack connection cables?
You'll want to run the guitar through some kind of FX pedal, amp or preamp to boost the signal (and get FX)
Then you can run the line level signal from the Line Out of that device to one of the rca inputs. I often use quality RCA cable with a 1/4" adapter on one end to plug into the the FX box, or amp's Line Out.
The BX8a connect by either 1/4" cable (balanced or unbalanced) or by XLR, (I assume BX5a is the same). So it depends on what you are sending from.
For the 1010lt connection to the monitors again I will often use a high quality RCA cable with a 1/4" adapter on one end. Those RCA cables are thick and well coated. Monster brand or equal used here because of the amount of use.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
Quote:
BUMP! i have had a good look on the web at the 1010lt sound card....where does the guitar input to?one of those trailing leads?
i have noticed that with the BX5A speakers there is no enclosed cable connections....what are they,what is it i need,standard 1/4" guitar jack connection cables?
You'll want to run the guitar through some kind of FX pedal, amp or preamp to boost the signal (and get FX)
Then you can run the line level signal from the Line Out of that device to one of the rca inputs. I often use quality RCA cable with a 1/4" adapter on one end to plug into the the FX box, or amp's Line Out.
The BX8a connect by either 1/4" cable (balanced or unbalanced) or by XLR, (I assume BX5a is the same). So it depends on what you are sending from.
For the 1010lt connection to the monitors again I will often use a high quality RCA cable with a 1/4" adapter on one end. Those RCA cables are thick and well coated. Monster brand or equal used here because of the amount of use.
is there not an audio interface that i can use that would act as a sound card too,plus play my music DVDs... along with the BX5a speakers
it would future proof me for a while (PC slots and shit) and would be a direct and much simpler guitar connection for me?
pre amp guitar FX? is there NO end to all this expense?
John
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Quote:
I suspect that we'll still call them soundcards for awhile, much like we still say we "dial" a phone.
You're correct John but we shouldn't use incorrect terms especially on a forum like this one. Just MHO of course. I take my cue from the manufacturers and pros in the field. If they call it a soundcard then it's a soundcard but if they don't, it isn't. The problem with using outdated terms is a newbie comes on here needing a "soundcard". He sees all these posts talking about M-Audio, EMU, Terratec, etc and then goes to their websites and sees no mention of the word "soundcard" and thinks he missing something so he comes back here asking where is he supposed to go to check out these "soundcards" we're all talking about.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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All the fuss here didn't make much sense to me until this last point Bob made, about newcomers. That argument, I can get behind. So, what would you recommend we call them from here out? Audio/MIDI interfaces?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Yes!!! It took me 2 years and some California Beach Bum to get my point out.   
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Always glad to help, especially the long suffering ones!
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Quote:
Yes!!!
It took me 2 years and some California Beach Bum to get my point out.
Hey cowabunga, like totally tubular, dude...
They did film Hardbodies right down the street from me in 84 or 85, something like that. Pretty funny movie actually. It's about three totally nerdy midwestern used car salesmen who rent a beach house in Hermosa and think they're going to score with all the hardbodies rollerblading on the Strand. The best line in the movie is when one of the paleface nerds in his checkered shirt and shorts walks up to this hot blonde in a bikini on her blades and tries to pick her up. She looks him up and down and says "Tell you what, I'll race you to the pier, if you beat me, eat me".
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Yes there are audio/midi interfaces for guitar. Check out Line 6.
I assumed if you play guitar, you play it thru something now. That something would likely work as the preamp. An Amp, stombox, whatever.. what do you plug your guitar into now?
Mics and guitars are not line level instruments, they need to be amplified.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
pre amp guitar FX? is there NO end to all this expense?
cheaper than playin golf... 
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I use IKMultimedia Stealth Plug Guitar interface with Amplitube 3.5 & Ampeg SVX.I use it to play my bass live through the Ampeg SVX plug in. There ASIO drivers are rock solid. Less then 2MS
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