Anyone using Edirol UA 1000? I need advice.

I bought my Edirol and received it this week and have successfully (as far as I can tell) loaded and connected it to my computer via USB. However, I'm having some issues, not serious, but need some recommendations or insight. I was assuming that the interface would act as my soundcard as well.

1. I thought I could just hook up the USB and be able to hear everything through the speakers connected to my computer via the 1/8 stereo jack. Instead, I have to hook them to the 1/2 main out on the back of the Edirol, which is not a big issue, except then I have to switch it back to hear all the Windows prompts and such.

2. I can hear and play back audio samples with Sonar, but I cannot hear any midi samples. Again, I didn't think I would need to use the midi in/out on the back of the Edirol unless I was hooking another midi device(s) to use, and that everthing was communicated between the computer and Edirol.

What I have done is:

read through the manual under driver settings, using the WDM driver, it looks as if I am to select "Edirol UA-1000 for Playback, Recording and Midi in the Windows "Sound & Playback" window under the control panel. Which I have done, and the manual recommends. They are my defaults.

In Sonar's Audio options:
GENERAL: I have selected all the PLAYBACK: EDIROL 1/2; RECORD: EDIROL 1/2
ADVANCED: DRIVER MODE: WDM/KS
DRIVERS: INPUT: EDIROL 1/2; EDIROL 3/4; EDIROL 5/6...ETC.
DRIVERS: OUTPUT: EDIROL 1/2; EDIROL 3/4...ETC.

In Sonar's Midi drivers Input and output, I have selected the Edirol only for each I have deselected MPU-401 on both including midi mapper.

I have all Sonar's software and have recently built a new system loading just Sonar 4.0 Producer Edition, so I'm not completely new to all of this. Here is my system:

Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
Athon 64 3200+
Windows XP Professional
Sonar 4.0
1 GB Ram
Dual Monitor
Edirol UA-1000 interface

Thanks for any help you can offer!

I've got a similar setup with the UA-1000 and I've yet to find a better way to run the sound. Right now I have the phones monitor on the UA-1000 running into my computer's onboard soundcard and my speakers are connected to the computer's soundcard as well. Windows system sounds are played through the soundcard and everything in Sonar is run to the UA-1000 > soundcard > speakers. Again not the best.... I'd like to have separate monitors for the UA-1000. But it gets me by for now.

Thanks, this will help! I also did a system restore back to the factory settings on the UA1000. I have been able to hear all the window prompts as well as the audio now too.

I still have to work out the midi, but your comments will help.

I have on other problem...

I have been watching the "Sonar 4 Master" DVD and trying to do things while it is demonstrating. However, I do get an error saying that the drivers for the Edirol are incompatible or in use with another program. Is this expected, or can I fix it some how. Under Sonar's Driver settings I have "share driver with other programs", but maybe I'm not supposed to do that.

Any insight? Thanks for the timely responses.

Scott

Great advice! I thought about disabling all of that too. However, in the meantime I will deal with it. As for the speakers, you are right. I'm saving for some good monitors and surround speakers, but I have found that it is good to test out the mixes in the desktop speakers, home stereo, car stereo, etc. I've come up with some good mixes.

I will certainly take you up on the advice deal in regards to the Edirol. I think the manual is crap too.

- Scott

I have had the same problems with a UA25. No-one has solved them yet.

Good luck and let me know if you get any good advice.

Follow my thread below to check on the responses

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=471327&mpage=1&key=񳄟

Jamster:

Are you using the Edirol for midi too? When I selected the Edirol for my Default Midi in the Windows Sound/Recording/Midi window and selected it for Midi in Sonar's midi setup... I still get nothing when I open the samples. I have to load a DXi to hear anything. Everything else is working fine otherwise.

I was just curious as to what you thought since you were generous in offering a little help.

- Scott

Jamster:

Are you using the Edirol for midi too? When I selected the Edirol for my Default Midi in the Windows Sound/Recording/Midi window and selected it for Midi in Sonar's midi setup... I still get nothing when I open the samples. I have to load a DXi to hear anything. Everything else is working fine otherwise.

I was just curious as to what you thought since you were generous in offering a little help.

- Scott

Scott,

I don't have the UA-1000, but I do own the UA-100 and FA-101. The edirol products are very similar to one another for the most part. Anyway, selecting the UA-1000 as the default midi device for playback isn't going to work for you because the UA-1000 is an Audio/Midi interface and not a Synth. It allows you to pass analog audio, digital audio, and midi messages to and from the computer. Therefore, you need to connect a hardware synth to the UA-1000 to get playback from recorded midi performances, or use a software synth (a.k.a DXi or VST plug-in).

The way I use my edirol interfaces with Midi is as follows:

1) Midi Controller keyboard Midi-Out to Edirol Midi-In.
2) Edirol Midi-In to Midi track in sonar.
3) Midi Track to Audio Track with Plugin
4) Audio Track to Master Bus
5) Master Bus to Edirol Audio Out1/2
6) Edirol Audio Out 1/2 to speakers

If I'm using a surface controller or midi device that utilizes midi messages from Sonar (i.e. GR33) then I use a second midi cable to patch the Edirol Midi-Out to the device Midi-In. Also, for the Edirol products I've never been able to use WDM drivers for low latency realtime performance playback. I always have used ASIO drivers for this.

Hope this helps,
Ron

RonZound & Gregi:

Yes, you are right. I do realize it is just an interface, and I feel like an idiot now, but I thought it would process the generic (i.e. General) midi sounds for me and I could plug in what I wanted later. I realized earlier that if I use a Plug-In I could hear them. I used the Cakewalk TTS-1 and it worked.

I've very rarely ever used midi for anything if at all... everything is direct audio recording for me... so I'm very, very naive as to the midi stuff and how to make it work.

Thanks for the input!

Well, it seems everything's already been covered! Glad you're working things out EZ; midi has a pretty steep learning curve, at least it does for me. Sounds like you're on the right track.

FWIW, I don't 'do' midi at all with the Edirol. I use the Oxygen8 midi keyboard through a USB cable (since the USB also powers it, that's one less thing plugged into the rats nest under my desk).

ORIGINAL: jamester
Well, it seems everything's already been .........

Hi Jamester.......

Looks like you still haven't finished that beer mate!

No, you didn't come across that way, but I'm making it a point to work more on this midi stuff. I need more for my interactive drum kit than anything else.

Thanks for all the links too.

Hey Jamester!

Well, I'm taking you up on your offer and I have a question about the UA1000's patch bay control panel.

The manual really seems to blow, can you tell me if this is correct:


Does WAVE IN 1-2 / INPUT 3-4 (does this mean 1 & 2 on the UA1000 goes to Inputs 3 & 4 on the computer?)
Does OUTPUT 1-2 / WAVE OUT 3-4 (does this mean Outputs 1 & 2 on the computer will come out of 3 & 4 on the UA1000?)

Thanks for any suggestions or help