ORIGINAL: michellecatssss
well, when i hit a note on the controller there seems to be a bit of lag which makes
it almost impossible to record anything (unless i quantize it).
i guess the lag comes from all the other "crap" i have running on my pc (not to mention
how slow windows xp is).
the lag is actually because of something called audio latency. i won't bore you with a technical explanation but the problem is primarily with your soundcard. in home studio you can set the latency (lag time) to something lower but chances are your soundcard can't handle it and will start introducing clicks and pops into your recordings. i don't know how to tell you where that is in home studio but in SONAR you go to "option" then "audio..." and it's right there. you want a lower 'ms' setting to get a quicker response from your soundcard but like i said your built-in one may not go low enough without causing problems.
so this brings me to my question... i have been looking online and i have noticed those
audio interface boxes (like the digidesign mbox 2). is that what these boxes are made
for? to help with the lag?
that is part of it. the audio interface boxes and pro recording cards are built to higher standards than most other soundcards. they have better drivers which allow you to get less lag time. they also typically have better connections (1/4" balanced), don't come with a lot of unnecessary crapware, and are more heavily tested under programs like home studio, SONAR, cubase, etc.
if this is indeed what i need to buy, can you recommend something that is relatively
inexpensive (let's say under $500).
if you tell us more about what you plan to record we can make better recommendations. as a generic recommendation though, i would start with the following:
soundcard: echo mia midi, $130
mixer: soundcraft compact4 ($100) or if you can swing it a mackie 1202vlz pro ($300)
cables: two pair of mogami 1/4" TRS (balanced) patch cables ($50)
as you can see $300 will get you the basics. you won't get a firewire interface (which are nice because you can move them from one computer to another easily) but you will get MIDI + 2 audio inputs and the mixer gives you lots of options for expanding later, like getting studio monitors (speakers for mixing), more instruments, and being able to directly monitor your audio recording (not MIDI unfortunately) without worrying about lag time on your soundcard.
if you never plan to record anything other than a MIDI keyboard you can skip the mixer. good luck and welcome to the forum
edit you can skip the cables if you don't need the mixer.
post edited by jacktheexcynic - 2007/04/22 15:15:46