Subject:I need a good sound card ???

Posted by: Podrock

Date:7/10/2003 10:11:07 PM

ACID Newbie here, Have version 3.0, I learned to create cool tracks in ACID, can't figure out how to burn them to my internal CD (adaptec software wont recognize the file in data or Audio version). I suppose I have to buy a pro soundcard and send audio out to my recording console via optical. Is this the same as streaming ?

My current sound card is factory junk. I get some kind of low db background noise through current card's audio out. Will a good card filter this noise out ?

Any suggestions please...what is a good card to buy, I/O, digital, optical, yada yada yada

Thanks Jeff smokendrums@yahoo.com

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: MyST

Date:7/11/2003 2:41:52 AM

To be able to burn a CD through your CD burning software, you need to "RENDER" your Acid file.
Once you've got your project finished, select RENDER AS from the FILE menu, and render it as a wave file. Your CD burning software will recognize a wave file and will be able to burn it.
As far as a good sound card is concerned, for this step, it isn't necessary. The bad sound card will only hurt you because you can't properly monitor your mix while you're working. If you only used loops to create your project, then burned that to CD; you'll still have a quality recording.
Where you start needing a better sound card is when you record through your sound card or you start getting more complicated projects that include lots of FXs that need to be monitored properly. Most times you'll (at least that's my case) want the FXs you add to be subtle, not over-bearing. If you can't hear the difference when you add an FX because you're soundcard is giving you background noise, you'll end up over-compensating...not good.

As far as suggestions go; what do you plan on doing with your card? Do you think you'll need many inputs to record with? Do you see yourself getting into surround mixing?
Please be more specific about your needs, and there are lots of excellent quality cards that can be recommended for your particular needs. Also mention how much you plan on spending.

M

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: dkistner

Date:7/11/2003 7:23:36 AM

Search this forum for info on Echo and MAudio cards. Tons of info.

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: Podrock

Date:7/11/2003 9:58:25 PM

Myst....thank you very, very much.. I have tried several times to figure this step out. The user manuel does not index the common terms such as burn CD or mix down. I never read about "Render As".

So again thanks...I want to use ACID specifically for Acoustic Drum loops made into real tracks, then burn to CD. The mix will not be altered, just making custom drum loops. Up till now I have been pain stakingly editing drum loops from audio sources. ( Joey Kramer..kills ) I record on a Korg D16, actually have good results.

I learned to use set points like a monkey on crack.. It's not 24 bit Pro Tools, but it's very close.

Jeff Reynolds
smokendrums.com

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: Podrock

Date:7/12/2003 12:25:52 AM

MyST

thanks again, I burned a CD, it plays nice. ACID is a really cool tool.
Next question. I slowed down the tempo to 100 BPM while putting together the loops, it burned at the default speed of 120 BPM. What do I do to keep the rendered mix at the preferred tempo..

final Question...why can't I change resource CDs while running Acid. It seems like it will not recognize a change of CD's. I have to close ACID and re open to get a new sample CD to load into the window. So in order to use multiple sources, I will have to compile sample choices to a single CD. then open ACID and start the session Yes, No ?

or do you download all your CDs into a file on the computer and direct it to them as needed. Omitting use of CDs in the PC drive altogether..?

JEff

Thanks a gillion

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: MyST

Date:7/12/2003 8:47:41 AM

I don't know why it burned at 120 instead of 100 BPM. Always make sure you SAVE your project after you make changes to it (don't forget however, that you can't undo what you've saved. So make sure that the changes you've made are something you really want, because the save will alter your original file).
Maybe you forgot to save the changes before rendering to wave?

"do you download all your CDs into a file on the computer and direct it to them as needed"

Yes, definitely! However time consuming to do originally (It takes me hours to copy my loops to HD from my multiple SoFo loop CDs), it's definitely worth the trouble. I can use a loop from Mick Fleetwood's library then add something from Bill Laswell, Liquid Planet, Numina, Infinite Soul, etc, etc. All without having to worry about switching CDs.
I created a folder called LOOPS, and copied all my loops there. You can also create one called 8-PACKS and keep all the 8-packs you download from Acidplanet.com in that folder. If you haven't checked out Acid Planet yet, you should. 8-Packs are small projects made up of 8 loops from various SoFo libraries that are free to download. They change the 8-pack every week, so make sure you visit often. Once an 8-pack is removed and replaced by a new one, it's gone for good.

Enjoy the software.

M

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: drbam

Date:7/12/2003 8:54:22 AM

Yes, organizing all your loops on one drive will make your trips with Acid much more enjoyable. ;-)

drbam

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: Spy

Date:7/15/2003 11:17:53 AM

"Always make sure you SAVE your project after you make changes to it (don't forget however, that you can't undo what you've saved. So make sure that the changes you've made are something you really want, because the save will alter your original file)."

Actually, you can 'undo' after a save but not after a project has been closed and re-opened.







One Love, Spy!

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: coolout

Date:7/15/2003 4:53:21 PM

i acually have my dedicated audio hard drive in two partitions, one for samples and one for audio tracks. with shortcuts on my desktop i just copy every new cd and store the cd in a safe place.

also on the soundcard front take a look at the terratec ones. it's probably the best bang for the buck if you just need a two-channel card. good asio latency, clean audio converters, plus gigasampler support if you want to score a movie of something.

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: KSUG

Date:7/16/2003 2:28:46 AM

I have teratec cards with the inter-face that have eight I/O. They work great but it is agood idea to always save when ever you change any thing. As for trying to get rid of noise totally, I have not found that solution yet.






kensug

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: dkistner

Date:7/16/2003 3:13:50 PM

Audigy users, I haven't read all the links at this thread (because I don't have an Audigy), but if you're having troubles, you might want to look into this.

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: Podrock

Date:7/19/2003 11:01:57 AM

Hey KSUG,

Thanks for the honesty. does anyone else have the problem or complete solution for the low backgorund noise through the sound card ? I was origionally going to stream tracks made on ACID directly to my stand alone recorder "Korg D16" ( via the sound card outs and therefore skipping the render stage), but the noise is to much even with pro audio cards ?

Podrock..grateful for anybodys input here..

Subject:RE: I need a good sound card ???

Reply by: coolout

Date:7/23/2003 4:53:32 PM

i don't have a problem with background noise on my terratec card i used a ego-sys(esi) u2a and a edirol usb interface before this one.

i stuck with the terratec because it sounded the best.

the only thing i hear in the background in my recordings is my cpu fan but only if i turn the volume WAY up.

i should run that computer back into the closet again but i'm running multiple computers on a KVM switch and cable lengths are an issue.

actually noise shouldn't be an issue anyway, can't you just go digital into your korg?