Realtek AC'97 VS. Realtek High Definition Audio

Sorry, 
 
Newbie here, hope i got the correct forum.
 
I got sonar x2 on two separate laptops running on Xp & Vista.
 
Im having a problem with the recorded audio quality on my laptop which runs on Vista that I recorded from the microphone in Sonar X2 and using the Realtek High Definition Audio. Its worse than than the one running on my xp laptop with Realtek AC'97.
The quality is poor and seems like it has some source of reverb too.
Yes, I turn off all the Enchancetments on my laptop sound options.
 
As for the Realtek AC'97 running on my Xp, its great. No problem here.
 
1.
Isn't the Realtek High Defintion Audio suppose to be Better since its called HIGH Defintion ?
 
2.
How do I go about getting better quality of audio recording in Sonar x2  in my laptop that runs on Vista ?
 
 

Get a real interface if you plan on doing music.  A usb interface as fireberd says is a good way to be able to use both your computers.
 
@

Hmmm,
 
I think you, all, misunderstood what I was trying to explain.
Let me try again :D
 
What I was trying to say is that...
 
Isn't the Realtek HD Audio suppose to sound better or at least the same, that runs on my NEWER Laptop with windows Vista ?
Because the Realtek AC'97 which I'm using in my old windows xp laptop sounds GREAT.
 
I rather use my Newer Laptop that runs Vista with the HD card because it has more harddrive space and faster, but unforunately, the audio recording quality is really poor.
 
It can't be my setup coz i have the same setup on my older, slower laptop that runs on windows xp and there, the quality is GREAT!
 
 
BTW: Both laptops are Sony Vaio
 
 

I think we do understand. What the feedback here might be in summarized fashion is this: the onboard realtek audio chips are not of high quality. With you experiencing inconsistent performance, none of us are surprised. The realtek chips work fine for what they are designed to do, play back audio files. They offer recording options but as you are seeing, they don't always work as advertised. 
 
If you are in a position to get a decent usb interface, then you could use that interface on all three of your computers if you wanted to. For instance, the Focusrite 2i2 for around $150 seems to be one that gets a lot of recommendations. The presonus 22vsl ranks higher on the recommended list by some major pc daw builders. M-audio m-box units can be found on ebay for under 100 right now. ----> I don't have any of these cards, so I would suggest reading user's experience before buying one. Any of these should be a giant step in the direction of better quality vs the realtek. 

realtek = headache.
 

So much cluelessness and  misinformation in this thread.
 
The "High Definition Audio" (HDA) designation is not just some meaningless marketing ploy. It's actually a logo certification program by MS under which PC audio systems must meet rather rigorous technical requirements subject to testing per relevant AES specs using Audio Precision hardware and software (just like most high-end audio equipment manufacturers use).
 
For example, see:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff563343%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
 
One component of the onboard HDA solution is implemented in the chipset (i.e., "Intel HD Audio") which receives and transmits serial digital audio data streams to/from a codec chip (typically a Realtek or VIA audio codec chip) which among other things handles necessary ADC and DAC duties as well as analog and digital processing. The typical HDA codec chips are capable of handling multi-channel 192kHz/24-bit streaming I/O, so actually quite technically advanced little chips with quite decent audio performance. Also, as part of HDA certification requirements, MS has required that HDA codecs be supported with low-latency/low cpu-load WaveRT drivers.
 
That said, motherboard and system manufacturers may not take necessary care to assure clean noise-free audio performance in their products, or even if they do, there can be other factors such as noisy power supplies and laptop power adapters as well as power regulation and cooling fan controls which impact negatively upon audio quality.
 
Now as for why the OP's older AC97 version onboard audio sounds better than the OP's newer HDA onboard audio, dunno. Maybe ithere is an HDA driver issue, which an updated driver will resolve. Or maybe it's due to some vendor-installed audio mixer/fx crap.  Or possibly it's just a crappy newer laptop. Or perhaps there is a gound loop problem occurring with the newer laptop's power adapter (in which case, it would likely also affect an external audio interface when connected to the laptop).
 
Point being, it may well have absolutely nothing to do with the differences between AC97 and HDA.
 
Lots of possible causes, and yet it seems the prevailing clueless advice has been to dismiss onboard audio as crap and insist the OP spend for an interface, along with spreading a bit more misinfo around.
 
Oh my, the mindset around here is truly an audio interface vendor's dream come true.

It's entirely possible that the two cards sound different, but it would be because of the analog components, not whether it complies with the HD standard (which only means it supports higher sample rates for surround sound), nor the quality of the driver. Something as small as the line input impedance could make an audible difference when recording. Crosstalk and distortion could vary from one model to the next, affecting all playback. Pushing passive speakers means the final amplifiers have to be able to deliver power uniformly on peaks and sustained high volume, so the design of the output section has a big impact.
 

Goddard
So much cluelessness and  misinformation in this thread.
 
 
That said, motherboard and system manufacturers may not take necessary care to assure clean noise-free audio performance in their products, or even if they do, there can be other factors such as noisy power supplies and laptop power adapters as well as power regulation and cooling fan controls which impact negatively upon audio quality.
 
 

 
So your wise suggestion would be for the struggling OP to stick with the realtek. ?? Interesting. I take it you use one and swear by it. Didn't think so. It appears us clueless ones with a touch of experience might just have a helpful suggestion.
 
Carry on. 

Goddard
PheonixVaj, what is your Vista laptop model (the one with Realtek HDA codec)?
 
What recording equipment are you using? You mentioned using a microphone. What microphone, and how is it connected? Are you just using your laptop's built-in microphone?
 
If you can give more information about your Vista laptop and your recording setup, perhaps you can get more specific help (besides advice to get an audio interface).
 

 
Goddard,
 
The Laptop I'm having problem with is:
Sony Vaio
Model: VGN- CR240E
Soundcard: Realtek HD Audio
-----------------------
My old laptop is: Sony Vaio 
Model: VGN-A270P
Soundcard: Realtek AC'97
 
-This laptop is slower, but audio recording is great or shall I say satisfactory :D
 Good enough for a laptop.
 
And YES, I just connect a microphone straight to the laptop's MIC Input.
and definitely not the MIC's problem coz im using the same mic on the older laptop and its fine.
No problem there. I like to travel light and simple :D

Goddard

musicroom
So your wise suggestion would be for the struggling OP to stick with the realtek. ?? Interesting. I take it you use one and swear by it. Didn't think so. It appears us clueless ones with a touch of experience might just have a helpful suggestion.

Maybe the OP's Vista laptop's onboard Realtek HDA can be made to work satisfactorily, dunno. Might be more helpful to first investigate into what the cause of the OP's problem might be, before automatically telling the OP they should get an external interface.
 
And yes, as a matter of fact I have used various onboard Realtek HDA codecs on a number of different computers and found that they can perform quite satisfactorily, particularly for playback duty, and have found their S/PDIF capabilities especially useful.
 
I've also found that onboard audio can perform with very low latency and loading. Which I suppose is not really that surprising considering that an onboard HDA audio solution (chipset Intel HDA component + associated HDA codec chip) is essentially a PCI/PCIe audio interface.
 
Perhaps you failed to notice where the OP had stated:
 

PheonixVajAs for the Realtek AC'97 running on my Xp, its great. No problem here.

 
It's very easy to tell someone they need to get a new interface. Makes it appear like you are knowledgeable/experienced, and doubtless others will echo along (possibly for the very same reason).
 
Isn't it curious how, whenever someone asks about a problem they're having with their computer's onboard audio, nobody even bothers to ask them about their computer or audio setup?

 
 
Why don't we do this, you make your suggestions and leave your negative opinions of other poster's suggestions out of your statements. Maybe then we can "all" help everyone the best we can with what we know without any other agenda.
 
Carry on

PheonixVaj
As an update,
 
Today I found one of my old external soundcard; Turtle Beach AudioAdvantage SRM
I tried recording with it, audio is good (much better than the internal soundcard), but it only sends out MONO signal;
Exmaple: Sonar stereo track, but the Turtle Beach AudioAdvantage SRM only sends out mono signal so it only records on the left side, which is fine, i can always convert it to stereo, 
but then it has some low buzzing sound and all audio sits above the center line, so...... forget it, let me just give up. Hehehe :P
 
I guess I better just save up for a new laptop
 
-
 
Thanks to everyone
FOR YOUR HELP/ADVICE/SUGGESTION/support/ETC.

Did the TB AA SRM souncard's inputs/outputs appear as stereo inputs/outputs in Sonar?
 
Possibly a driver issue, rather than a problem with your laptop. Might be worthwhile seeking a newer driver version.