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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 95
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 95 |
I am currently using a Creative Audigy 2 ZX soundcard with my BIAB setup, which has a built-in GM soundset (and supports soundfonts). I also use several external MIDI sound modules as primary sound generators for MIDI GM.
I have acquired an EMU 0404 sound card, which I believe has better overall specs than the Audigy, but has no on-board sounds. Does BIAB require a sound card with on-board sounds for anything, or can I use the EMU 0404 with no BIAB issues?
Cz...
BIAB,Bandlab Cakewalk,Kontakt, Cantabile, SampleTank4,IK BX-3, VB3, iZotope Suite, IK TRacks, Melodyne Studio
Kurzweil PC4SE, AXIOM-61key & IKiRigPro-32key boards, Roland SD-50 MIDI, Behringer 404HD, Maschine MK3,TC Helicon Voiceworks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi,
You can use the onboard soundset Microsoft GS wavetable - or the softsynths - VSC DXi on 32 bit sytems of Coyote Forte on both 32/64 systems
Brian
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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Quote:
II also use several external MIDI sound modules as primary sound generators for MIDI GM.
If you have good external hardware MIDI synth, use that instead, no need for soundfonts or software synthesizers at all. Zero latency. Always ready and never -- well, almost never -- corrupts.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Quote:
I am currently using a Creative Audigy 2 ZX soundcard with my BIAB setup, which has a built-in GM soundset (and supports soundfonts). I also use several external MIDI sound modules as primary sound generators for MIDI GM.
I have acquired an EMU 0404 sound card, which I believe has better overall specs than the Audigy, but has no on-board sounds. Does BIAB require a sound card with on-board sounds for anything, or can I use the EMU 0404 with no BIAB issues?
The biggest and most confusing thing about digital audio using a program like Biab, Real Band, Sonar, whatever is they have no sounds of their own. They require a sound source such as your hardware synths, a soundcard like your Audigy or software synths like the Roland VSC, Forte or the many higher end and expensive ones like SampleTank, Halion or the like. Generally, the more money you spend, the better the sound quality. Afaik, Creative is the only soundcard manufacturer that still provides a synth on the card itself. All other cards really are not soundcards at all, they are digital/audio interface cards like your Emu 0404. The better specs you talk about are primarily the inputs for audio recording and better digital audio converters. When you use one of your external hardware synths you're bypassing those parts of the soundcard anyway, because you're only using your midi connectors. No digital audio converters involved because the audio is coming from your hardware synth. However, if you're using a software synth, then you are using the better converters on the interface card. For simple playback though you probably can't hear any difference between an expensive card like the Emu and you're basic audio output plug on your motherboard it's just that the Emu is a bit more pro in that it does have higher quality components and you're using a proper 1/4" plug instead of those crappy little mini's. These concepts are confusing for a noob and require a full essay to explain fully. Go to Mac's website www.audiominds.com and click on the "getting started" button in the upper left. There's a lot of good stuff there explaining all this.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 95
Enthusiast
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 95 |
jazzmammal.... Thank you for your most thorough reply, you've increased my understanding 100% over what I knew before. I will take the time to check out Mac's www.audiominds.comBottom line... I may as well keep the Audigy 2 card installed since based on your note, I would get no noticeable benefit from the EMU 0404 card for what I do, i.e. use external MIDI modules and Real Tracks with BIAB.
Cz...
BIAB,Bandlab Cakewalk,Kontakt, Cantabile, SampleTank4,IK BX-3, VB3, iZotope Suite, IK TRacks, Melodyne Studio
Kurzweil PC4SE, AXIOM-61key & IKiRigPro-32key boards, Roland SD-50 MIDI, Behringer 404HD, Maschine MK3,TC Helicon Voiceworks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Cz,
Do you plan on doing any recording? Using your external module as a sound source, and recording it into Real Tracks along with the Real Tracks would allow you to record the audio, multitrack, or vocals from the synth or external mic. Eventually, you'll get to the point where you can burn a CD.
For that, you need the better audio interface, which in this case is the Emu-0404. If you have the slots for it in your computer, you can install both. I'm assuming you're using Windows XP. If you have both installed, you can select which you want to do audio recording, and output either MIDI, SoundFonts, or both.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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Keep the Audigy. Lots of music made on 'em. You already know how to use it. Learning curve is kinda steep on the E-MU cards as well.
--Mac
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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