I don't have latencey issues with the onboard synth in the least. I don't use the onboard synth much, because the sounds are pretty thin, but it's very handy if you want to add a little extra color quickly without any fuss.


It's the plug in devices that are giving me trouble in MiDI. Perhaps the fact that you don't work with MIDI that much is the reason you haven't experienced these problems. The rhythmic devices tend to lock the computer if you mouse around too quickly, and the sound generation devices? Well I know the term of choice around her is latencey, In this case however I think the gaming term "laaaaaag" is more appropriate.

Sorry, I don't have Net access right now (I only get 10-hours a month, which is just the way I like it) and I'm using my sister's box across town. Anyhow, I hadn't noticed that you replied back to this.

Yeah, I don't know squat about midi. I have to think that you can get much better performance than you're getting though. I wonder if it might have to do with what you're using for the timing master? I'm not sure how that works with midi. Boy, I'm lost with midi stuff. Have you tried asking guys in the Sonar forum. There are quite a few who use midi there. They'll probably give you a hard time about using an SB card but try to patiently ignore that end of the conversation and maybe one of them that has used an SB in the past can tell you how to fix things. Besides, I think a lot of guys are still using their SB cards in conjunction with a second one for regular analog use. Some guys like using the SB for the synth stuff.

Sorry, I'm out of my frame of reference with this one. I'm sure there's a way to get better performance though.

ORIGINAL: krizrox

Ya know, it's funny. I was asking similar questions about 6 or 7 years ago. I had just made the decision to invest in a DAW and I knew virtually nothing about the technology. I remember walking into my local Guitar Center for the purpose of shopping for sound cards and software. I asked the salesman behind the counter why I needed to spend hundreds of dollars on a soundcard when I could buy a Soundblaster for $100. He just laughed at me. In fact, one of the customers standing next to me started laughing too. I'm pretty sure my face turned red (what did I know?). The customer was kind enough to set me straight on a few of the facts of life of HD recording. I learned a lot over the next few weeks/months/years. You will too.

I kinda wonder why Soundblaster never really got into the higher end pro-sumer stuff. So many people seem to equate SB with computer audio. Seems like they're missing out on a section of the market. Oh well. Who am I to question their business model?

Anyway DJ's response is 100% correct. Do not buy SB if you are serious about this. Have fun on the learning curve :-)

"Reader Experiences
I had an opportunity to spend four hours at one of Boston's leading mastering studios last night. Interesting experience. The "funniest" thing, though, was that of all the equipment in that place, I did not recognize a single piece! Many of the company names, sure...Lexicons, TCs, Sonys, etc., but the boxes themselves, no. When you go into Guitar Center and go to the "pro audio" deparment, turns out that's actully "amateur pro audio." I certainly didn't expect to recognize everything there, but zero devices? Wow."
http://homerecording.com/mastering.html

I have a 2 year old MSI 645 ULTRA motherboard (ranked 39 at www.motherboards.com after 3 years of technology); P4 2.0Ghz, 768 Megs DDR (1x512 and 1x256 PC2700); 1x40 and 1x80 Maxtor Diamond Max+ HDD storage devices, Nvidia GeForce 2/4MX (64Meg), standard Intel CPU fan, with a CDROM and a CDRW; and the Sound Blaster Live! Drive Platinum with 5.1surround and a 21" NEC flatpanel.

I use this pc for games, backup storage and to run 5.1 sound in my living room... I have to admit, that if you use a line six rack digital direct though a livedrive, the quility is really awesome, as far as micing etc., forget abou it... I also use it to compare my mastering to that of other music during final production stages...after which I bring them back through HR824's via MOTU's via Sonar... If I were a parent would really couldn't afford a to buy my 13 -16 year old a good card and was unsure of his or her interests, it's probably how I'd go since, in the long run, they can always have fairly cheap, yet cool surround sound for games, movies and music...

You'll find my DAW, which is racked in this post:
http://www.cakewalk.com/forum/tm.asp?m=218880&mpage=1&key=&anchor#218880


just some tunes...

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?AID=249117&T=885766 Hi-fi mix of Faith


Low-fi mix of tunes until tomorrow apparently, since the songs haven't been "cleared" yet.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/tonyoconnormusic.htm

I guess Creative cards are good for gamers, and, hifi surround output. Unfortunately, none of their cards (have tried quite a few, including Audigy 2 ZS, and installed ASIO 4 ALL) work with real time MIDI. The cards are definitely not conducive to a musician's spirit/pianist-keyboard player's fingers. :(

Well done for resurrecting an EIGHT year old thread!

Talk about burning entry!

Welcome to the forum, Dudeonthemoog! 

Wow I didn't realize this forum went back that far! Vintage text. Funny as that was the year I bought an Audigy II card. I still use it in my office/ home stereo XP computer so at least I got my money's worth. 
I used to use it with Home Studio. Never did get the MIDI to work.  


Ha ha I just looked at my joined date, I probably joined to forum to ask why I couldn't get midi to work! and I remember being instantly slammed for owning the SB card. 

First thing I got slammed for was not routing everything to a master bus - I thought that was what the Main Outs were!

Thanks CJ!