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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.