Swinhart
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Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
Hello Sonar users, Anyone using the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi unit? Just wondering? Interesting specs: Stereo Playback: 24-bit, 48kHz Recording: Stereo 24bit/48kHz Connectivity: Line in / Microphone in (shared 1/8" mini jack) Speaker out (1/8" mini jack) Speaker Support: Stereo/2.1 Speakers Headphones It sounds like a lot better sound could be achieved from a laptop this way. Might be a winner for 90 bucks. A number of years ago there was a similar device out in the marketplace, but some bad reviews on it. Eventually they dropped it. Having fun with 32 tracks in OKC hp laptop zd7000 2.8 Ghz 1 Gb DDR RAM XPP SP2 with SP1 FW drivers Sonar 6.12P MOTU 896HD (x3) MOTU Ultralite many studio mics email: hswin@att.net
Having fun with 32 tracks in OKC hp laptop zd7000 2.8 Ghz 2 Gb DDR RAM WinXPP SP3 with AVT1394BusDriver Sonar 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S, 5P, 6.12P, now 8.3P MOTU 896HD (x3) MOTU Ultralite MOTU 8-Pre (x2) MOTU Ultralite many studio mics email: hswin@att.net
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Susan G
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/09/29 23:42:03
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Hi Hal- I know a lot of Users and at least some of the developers on the Image-Line (FL Studio) forum have spoken highly of this card, but you probably won't get the same response here!  I have no direct experience with it. I used an Echo Indigo I/O card on my laptop and loved it. BTW, I have an Ultralite, too. I'm taking an informal survey -- do you prefer the WDM or ASIO drivers with SONAR? -Susan
2.30 gigahertz Intel Core i7-3610QM; 16 GB RAMWindows 10 x64; NI Komplete Audio 6.SONAR Platinum (Lexington) x64
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Slugbaby
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/09/30 09:08:30
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For starters, you'll probably do better with something that processes the audio at 44.1K, not 48K. Most other aspects of DAWs (like burning CDs) need 44.1, and the conversions can be problematic. If you search these forums for "Creative" or "Soundblaster" you'll see hundreds of threads discussing problems. As well, i'd try to avoid using 1/8" inputs. I could be wrong, but RCA, 1/4", and XLR are probably cleaner/ better... For a similar price, you can get much better. EMU and M-Audio both have products that are more compatible and stable, for around the same price. Beagle has a list of options in his signature - look him up for options.
post edited by Slugbaby - 2008/09/30 09:09:32
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CJaysMusic
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/09/30 16:25:04
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+1 for slugbabay.
Also, its a gaming card, so why would you get that for recording when you can get one made for strictly audio recording for about the same price and Without 1/8 inputs
Cj
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Guitarhacker
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/09/30 17:47:58
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Get a decent pro level soundcard/interface, don't mess with soundblaster...they have their purpose and it's not in the recording world.
I use a Safire firewire.... love it.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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rumleymusic
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/09/30 17:53:39
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Having fun with 32 tracks in OKC
hp laptop zd7000 2.8 Ghz 1 Gb DDR RAM
XPP SP2 with SP1 FW drivers
Sonar 6.12P
MOTU 896HD (x3)
MOTU Ultralite
many studio mics
email: hswin@att.net You have all this stuff, and you want a....Soundblaster? Are you okay...do you want me to call a doctor?
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Swinhart
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/09/30 22:12:42
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Aw, c’mon Folks lighten up.
I was just thinking about listening to stuff while the wife drives down the road. Since the laptop card is not real high quality, I was thinking about something inside the unit like a PCMCIA cardbus unit. That’s all. I know it’s not “pro†equipment. I just retired from 28 years in sound installation industry. I have done many sound systems, and have been recording for the past 50 so years. I even have a 7†reel 1 (that’s ONE) track recorder, which has three mic inputs!! So, take that rumleymusic, (just kidding)!
Susan G, I have used WDM drivers since I started with Sonar back in 2002. I have really never use ASIO, so can’t say. Sonar probably doesn’t care.
Guitarhacker, I have not heard of Safire. Might have to scan that horizon.
Other replies mentioned the Echo Indigo, and I have heard a few things about the reliability on that one too. I guess it’s like most stuff, works great or doesn’t!
Thanks for the replies! Just checking which way the winds are blowing. Just finished recording a C & W band. I’m off next week to record a Celtic band.
Having fun with 32 tracks in OKC hp laptop zd7000 2.8 Ghz 2 Gb DDR RAM WinXPP SP3 with AVT1394BusDriver Sonar 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S, 5P, 6.12P, now 8.3P MOTU 896HD (x3) MOTU Ultralite MOTU 8-Pre (x2) MOTU Ultralite many studio mics email: hswin@att.net
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Beagle
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/10/01 15:29:16
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well, why didn't you say so in the first place????  if you're just looking for a soundcard that will sound better on the laptop for travelling, but not to be used for recording, then I say YES - go for the "SB X-fi whatever" PCMCIA card they have if your laptop has a PCMCIA slot. newer laptops don't have them, however ,they have the new Cardbus, so be careful which one you get.
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jamesg1213
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/10/01 15:57:33
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I think CJ has one....
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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Timur
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RE: Anyone using Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi?
2008/10/01 16:02:58
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ORIGINAL: Slugbaby
For starters, you'll probably do better with something that processes the audio at 44.1K, not 48K. Most other aspects of DAWs (like burning CDs) need 44.1, and the conversions can be problematic. The true X-FIs don't play at a native sample-rate of 48k anymore, you can turn it off in "Audio-Creation" mode (deactivates EQ, SVM and Crystalizer). It comes with ASIO drivers that are OK (both my Fireface and Audiophile 2496 are better perfoming). So if you want an all in one card that's really good for watching video and gaming and comes with enough capability for DAW usage then go for it. By the way, the sample-rate conversion (SRC) of the X-FI is exceptional good. More than half of its multimillion transistors are solely used for SRC. That's especially nice for gaming, because most games comes with low-rate samples of 22K or worse. I even sometimes use it for converting samples, although that has to be done in realtime via digital routing, because there is no offline application for using the X-Fi's inbuild hardware-effects.
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