Recording problem (soundcard)

i_got_a_mohawk · #1 09-07-2006, 02:50 PM

When we were recording the other day, we had a problem

We wanted to record the drums first, then, play the bass along with the drums that were already recorded, recording the bass as a seperate track, then the same with guitar an vocals.

The problem is, it started lagging, and the recording would sound fine when you were playing along, basically, playing along in time, didnt result in the recorded version being recorded at the same time, there was a definate lag.

Im assuming it must be the soundcard, as its the weakest link in the chain (Creative Soundblaster Live 24), and im looking at upgrading it (if it is the problem, if not, any suggestions?).

Was looking at the creative XFi cards, the Audigy Cards and cards by M-Audio (the Revolution).

Could anyone recommend one of these? Or is it something else at fault in the computer?

Intel P4 3.2Ghz Prescott Core CPU
1Gb Ram
SATA WD 74.4 Gb Raptor harddrive

Cheers!

- Will

clockworkwar · #2 09-08-2006, 10:07 AM

Your computer is fine. Yes i think its the soundcard. Or you have changed a setting on the recording program.

I would get an M-audio input card or external firewire input! They are the best for music.

Oysterman · #3 09-08-2006, 11:33 AM

You have experienced hardware latency. The culprit is, as you suspected, the sound card. If you don't want to buy new hardware you could always drag and drop the clips into their right place in time... it's not that difficult if you have recorded something you could synchronize with - such as tapping along with the click for a measure or two. But a real recording card is of course much more convenient. The quality of your audio will be better, as well.

M-audio are not "the best" for music, not by a long shot. They do have great price/performance ratio though, and are far more appropriate for what you want to do than your Soundblaster Live.

Don't buy a consumer grade card, such as the Audigy or Revolution, if you want to record stuff. Your situation isn't likely to improve if you do. You need a product that was designed with audio recording in mind.

lillitnn92 · #4 09-08-2006, 01:01 PM

+1 on the above.

OEM cards or aftermarket multimedia cards just don't cut it. M-Audio does offer a multimedia based card if you don't want to loose those "features". i'm not exactly sure how well it does in recording situations though. because it is an M-Audio card, it should still have the ability to use the ASIO drivers that most recording based cards use, so it might be a good in between card.

it's the Revolution 7.1 and 5.1 cards.

jonly · #5 09-08-2006, 01:07 PM

I run an Terratec 7.1 Space and have 0 problems with it. I believe it is the same chipset as the aforementioned audigy cards.

Oysterman · #6 09-08-2006, 01:39 PM

Goes to show that I would have needed to read up on the subject before handing out advice. My knowledge on the subject pretty much dates back to the days when I was shopping for my own recording setup, 3-4 years ago. Progress has been made in this area that I wasn't quite aware of.

For basic recording purposes these days, you no longer need a "pro-grade" card; many "consumer grade" cards today can record to 24 bit/96 kHz, have decent AD's and ASIO drivers. If you don't need the portability of a USB/FireWire Device, or the added features or quality of more expensive solutions, then I believe (without having first hand experience) something like the Terratec or M-Audio Revolution would work fine! (Haven't looked at the Creative cards.)

But the SB Live still blows.

i_got_a_mohawk · #7 09-10-2006, 07:19 AM

Cheers for the responses

And, well, i contest that bit about the SB Live blowing, its a great sounding card in comparison to the integrated sound on my mobo, and for £8 new, it didnt dent the wallet, i didnt get it with the intention of recording at the time

Aarix · #8 09-10-2006, 07:27 AM

The SB Live isn't ideal, but Fourtet has recorded atleast a couple albums on one!

You probably have something setup wrong in the application you are using.

Find the audio settings and make sure you have the ASIO driver selected. MME or Windows Sound Mapper won't cut it.

Then, you may be able to adjust the latency. Try to get it down to 6ms (3ms would be even better). If you can't set the latency directly, adjust the audio buffer down to 64 or 128 frames.

If after all this the card starts making popping sounds, recording unexpectedly stops, etc... You probably need a new card.

Good luck, Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

i_got_a_mohawk · #9 09-10-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarix

The SB Live isn't ideal, but Fourtet has recorded atleast a couple albums on one!

You probably have something setup wrong in the application you are using.

Find the audio settings and make sure you have the ASIO driver selected. MME or Windows Sound Mapper won't cut it.

Then, you may be able to adjust the latency. Try to get it down to 6ms (3ms would be even better). If you can't set the latency directly, adjust the audio buffer down to 64 or 128 frames.

If after all this the card starts making popping sounds, recording unexpectedly stops, etc... You probably need a new card.

Good luck, Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

Cheers, a friend of mine pointed me in the way of some other ASIO drivers, ill try them

I only get popping and crackling in cubase, but i use NTrack, and with that i only have the problem with things going out of time.

Will try messing around with the software for a bit later on today

lillitnn92 · #10 09-10-2006, 12:01 PM

yeah, drivers are just as important as the card itself. also remember that your computer's specs play a role in how well it performs. here's something to take a look at, tweaks to XP that will help your system perform better.

http://www.musicxp.net/index.php