I need a sound card simple as that..

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (johnnyV)

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:19:37 GMT

48 volts is for phantom power which is a real good album by the Tragically Hip.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:06:13 GMT

Nevermind... Sorry. This was not very intuitive.
Found the droplist next to the mute button that allows you to select your input as mic 1 or mic 2.

All is well.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:36:40 GMT

Well crap, I can't seem to get the XLR input to work at all now.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:32:47 GMT

Not sure if I branch this to a new thread or not. I got my UX2 and I hooked it up and one thing I dont understand is the XLR inputs to not seem to work unless I have something plugged into the 1/4 inch jack as well.

I plug in the mic to XLR and talk into it. Power is on but needles don't move. I plug a quarter inch jack into the guitar input and now talk in to the same xlr mic, and now the needles move and I can hear it.

did I get a broken one ir am I missing something.
Also, the button on the front that says "+48v" seems to do nothing

I got this off ebay and it was new in the box but it came w/ lots of CDs but no physical manual.

What am I missing?

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (hugojacquet)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:28:33 GMT

John

You CAN use the UX2 as a "general purpose" soundcard too. My mp's3 (WMP), internet (youtube...) and even games (crysis etc...) go trough it. If your stereo (or computer speakers) are not too bad you don't need monitors right away. The only problem is: if they are too much "off" like bassheavy for instance, your mixes will come out wrong. But if they are not too weak (like that you will blow them up) you can start with what you have. You have just the buy the right leads to hook up speaker or stereo to the interface (UX2) if you don't have them already. The UX2 has 2 mono jack outputs (left and right) that go to your "monitors".
Fine for you but the OP has the option to do it better. Also the idea of not needing good monitors "right away" is really bad advice. I don't know what your system is like but it sounds simply awful to me. Near fields are not meant for gaming and I think to use them for all Windows sounds is idiotic too.

There are no, repeat no computer speakers that are useful for mixing audio.

Hello,

I do not see what is awful in my setup???? I got tannoy reveals and a little gaming through them from time to time will not hurt them. And since the Tannoy's are meant for:music, not gaming, my mp3's sound quite good through them also, thank you.

Windoze sounds are turned off!!! I don't want clicks and burns with everything I do in Windows.

I agree PC / gaming / multimedia speakers are a bad idea and most consumer headphones are dreadful too but if it is what the OP has and it the budget was under 150$...

But I see he is willing to go for it and will buy montiors... The better for him..

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:41:41 GMT

Ok, so this is my plan,

I am going to take the audigy out (I don't game and I got it years ago for the purpose of recording so it is not needed) I will remove all the chips from the audigy, and melt them and make a sculpture of a guy smashing an audigy with a sledge hammer. The remaining card will be used to scrape the ice off my windshield in the winter.

I am going to get the UX2
I am going to get XLR to XLR cable
I am going to buy monitors (could use advice on what to get here)
I am going to read up on mic'ing guitars and mixing

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (Blades)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:14:43 GMT

Near fields are not meant for gaming and I think to use them for all Windows sounds is idiotic too.

Well - I've got the onboard sound card enabled for all my windows sounds and mp3s and whatnot. I also have a set of multimedia speakers that I don't really care for "for much". I have Yamaha MSP5 monitors with an M-Audio sub. I love the combination, and it even works well for games.

The real trick is that I have the output from the oboard card split so that it goes to both the multimedia speakers and the real monitors. I get the best of both worlds this way - I can monitor my finished mixes on both sets of speakers, I can play regular music, windows sounds, games, or whatever through my real monitors, which really sounds better, etc.

Two sound cards, two sets of speakers, a few adapters and I have a lot of flexibility.

HTH

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (CJaysMusic)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:21:08 GMT

Huh?? Problems? Me?? I dotn have any at this palce and time.
Maybe you quoted me by mistake
Cj

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (John)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:19:27 GMT

Yes the UX2 will be your sound card and no, you do not need to plug it into any other sound card .Use only one sound card or youll have many problems. so take that sound blaster out of your pc and throw it into heavy traffic. If you get the UX2, you do NOT need another sound card .Just use the UX2 as your sound card Cj

What other problems? I have never run into any at all.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (CJaysMusic)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:10:15 GMT

So I get now that this UX2 thing is basically an external sound card. Meaning It has all the audio interface I need for recording. I was thinking it had to plug into an existing sound card. I still need a sound card don't I.

Yes the UX2 will be your sound card and no, you do not need to plug it into any other sound card .Use only one sound card or youll have many problems. so take that sound blaster out of your pc and throw it into heavy traffic.
If you get the UX2, you do NOT need another sound card .Just use the UX2 as your sound card
Cj

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (John)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:23:47 GMT

You CAN use the UX2 as a "general purpose" soundcard too. My mp's3 (WMP), internet (youtube...) and even games (crysis etc...) go trough it. If your stereo (or computer speakers) are not too bad you don't need monitors right away. The only problem is: if they are too much "off" like bassheavy for instance, your mixes will come out wrong. But if they are not too weak (like that you will blow them up) you can start with what you have. You have just the buy the right leads to hook up speaker or stereo to the interface (UX2) if you don't have them already. The UX2 has 2 mono jack outputs (left and right) that go to your "monitors".

Fine for you but the OP has the option to do it better. Also the idea of not needing good monitors "right away" is really bad advice. I don't know what your system is like but it sounds simply awful to me. Near fields are not meant for gaming and I think to use them for all Windows sounds is idiotic too.

There are no, repeat no computer speakers that are useful for mixing audio.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (hugojacquet)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:07:05 GMT

dissfigured

Ok, I think I am up to speed...

Buy the UX2.
Get monitors for the UX2 so I can monitor what I am recording.
Use existing speakers / sound card for General audio.
In Sonar, specify the ins and outs to be the UX2 thus making the DAW closed circuit system (for lack of a better term).

Once I have done that, I have everything I need equipment wise to make great recordings? Just need to hone skills after that?

You CAN use the UX2 as a "general purpose" soundcard too. My mp's3 (WMP), internet (youtube...) and even games (crysis etc...) go trough it.

If your stereo (or computer speakers) are not too bad you don't need monitors right away. The only problem is: if they are too much "off" like bassheavy for instance, your mixes will come out wrong.

But if they are not too weak (like that you will blow them up) you can start with what you have. You have just the buy the right leads to hook up speaker or stereo to the interface (UX2) if you don't have them already. The UX2 has 2 mono jack outputs (left and right) that go to your "monitors".

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (mgh)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:26:09 GMT

haha, no this is the top of a steep and slippery slope in which vast sums of money will be spent! but for now, yep, you'll be good to go!

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:17:06 GMT

Ok, I think I am up to speed...

Buy the UX2.
Get monitors for the UX2 so I can monitor what I am recording.
Use existing speakers / sound card for General audio.
In Sonar, specify the ins and outs to be the UX2 thus making the DAW closed circuit system (for lack of a better term).

Once I have done that, I have everything I need equipment wise to make great recordings? Just need to hone skills after that?

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (mgh)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:02:21 GMT

no the usb lead between the pc and the UX2 sends audio both ways. you will have to use the UX2 headphone socket plug active monitors in the UX2 outs, OR configure it so that your SB audigy is used for all other apps except Sonar, as John set out above.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:58:43 GMT

Man, I feel dumb in here asking all these newbie questions... I swear I am a software engineer w/ a degree in programming... Also, I spent years recording during the SBlive / Audigy days. Everything has changed so I am back at square 1.

So I get now that this UX2 thing is basically an external sound card. Meaning It has all the audio interface I need for recording. I was thinking it had to plug into an existing sound card.

I still need a sound card don't I. How else am I going to hear audio when my jackass friends send me youtube clips of a monkey scratching his ass?

I will go read the manual online but does this UX2 handle midi?

Thanks again for all the advice tips, etc. You are helping more than you know.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (mgh)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:58:07 GMT

yeah you don't have to disable any soundcard, but given the OP doesn't know what XLR is, i'm sure it'd be easier to do that before trying to configure, say, the UX2...

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (John)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:52:17 GMT

Lanceindastudio

umm... disable onboard soundcard via control panel?

On the contrary, I use the onboard sound for WMP and Winamp, basically anything thta isnt sonar.

Then, in sonar, I have the onboard sound disabled so sonar only uses my Echo gina3g

There is definitely use for the onboard sound.

But, if one is trying to troubleshoot, or make absolutely sure the onboard or second sound device isnt interfering, I can only see then why it is necessary to disable onboard or second sound.

In conclusion, if you configure it right, you can use more than one soundcard, but only one can be used within sonar.

Absolutely!. I don't know where this idea that one can't have more then one sound card or device in the system operational came from. Sonar is quite capable of using only the one device you choose.
There should be no conflicts or any other issue. Why would anyone think there would be?

I don't want WMP using my audio interface for mundane things. It would mean having to employ all the audio gear I use with Sonar just to hear ABBA. Its all on a single switch. Ain't gonna happen.

This may mean you will need to get a second set of speakers but they don't need to be near field monitors.

I have been doing things this way nearly for ever. Never had a problem.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (Lanceindastudio)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:55:51 GMT

umm... disable onboard soundcard via control panel?

On the contrary, I use the onboard sound for WMP and Winamp, basically anything thta isnt sonar.

Then, in sonar, I have the onboard sound disabled so sonar only uses my Echo gina3g

There is definitely use for the onboard sound.

But, if one is trying to troubleshoot, or make absolutely sure the onboard or second sound device isnt interfering, I can only see then why it is necessary to disable onboard or second sound.

In conclusion, if you configure it right, you can use more than one soundcard, but only one can be used within sonar.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (brundlefly)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:27:59 GMT

the UX2 IS a soundcard. Audio interface is the same thing, just that tends to mean an external box to connect to the PC.

To me a "soundcard" is something with a built-in wavetable synth of some sort for generating sounds, as well as providing audio I/O. Anything that only provides audio I/O (and maybe onboard DSP effects) as an "interface", whether it's a PCI card, an external box, or some combination of the two (like my 1820m).

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (HumbleNoise)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:15:46 GMT

dissfigured

But assuming I get the UX2 interface, I am guessing It would still be highly recommended that I don't plug the out from the UX2 interface into the mic jack on the soundblaster audigy? I guess my reason for differentiation between the two is that the consensus seems to be that the audigy is bad for this purpose and I need to upgrade that to a better PC interface like the m-audio card in addition to getting the UX2??

I don't THINK you need an additional interface or sound card with the UX2. Did you notice they call it an interface? That usually means it has all the sound card stuff inside of it ready to go. The USB connection ties the UX2 'interface/sound card of the UX2 to your computer and Sonar so you can record. The UX2 would supply all the sound for your musical and any other needs. The soundblaster would be better off as CJ suggested surfing somewhere other than in your computer.

You might be getting mixed up with all the talk of sound cards, interfaces, mixers etc. The UX2 should be all you need for now, then when your budget allows you can get another 'interface' or a mixer with more inputs and outputs, like the user above that has the Echo Layla. I'm pretty sure the Echo Layla is not needed to record a single guitar but just allows for further expansion of the UX2's capabilities by adding more ins and outs.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (mgh)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:09:41 GMT

the UX2 IS a soundcard. Audio interface is the same thing, just that tends to mean an external box to connect to the PC. yeah, you need to disable the Soundblaster via control panel if you get the UX2.

(though you could just get a mixer and use the Audigy...sorry CJay!)

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (CJaysMusic)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:42:02 GMT

But assuming I get the UX2 interface, I am guessing It would still be highly recommended that I don't plug the out from the UX2 interface into the mic jack on the sound blaster audigy?

You only use one card. When you get an audio card, disable that sound blaster card and take it out of your pc and throw it into the ocean.
What ever card you get will be the only one you use.
Cj

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:29:12 GMT

mgh

interface/soundcard same thing. with the ux2 you could mic your amp OR go DI (plug the guitar direct) and use the pod farm plug-in.

But assuming I get the UX2 interface, I am guessing It would still be highly recommended that I don't plug the out from the UX2 interface into the mic jack on the soundblaster audigy? I guess my reason for differentiation between the two is that the consensus seems to be that the audigy is bad for this purpose and I need to upgrade that to a better PC interface like the m-audio card in addition to getting the UX2??

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (HumbleNoise)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:33:56 GMT

The reason I'm commenting here is because I'd like to learn the same thing and I THINK I understand where the current advice is headed regarding the Line 6 UX2 Usb interface. First of all check the web page for all the info on the UX2. Link Here

And as you can see in the pic it's got 2 XLR inputs, so you can mike ANYTHING, voice, amp whatever you choose, two guitar inputs that you can plug your guitar directly into and a usb connection that ties it all into your computer. If you plug your guitar directly into the UX2 you can then use all the Line 6 sounds that come in the Pod Farm to model your guitar sounds however you'd like. The consensus is that the sounds from the Pod Farm will sound WAY better than miking your amp.

It seems like a really smart way to go for what you're (and I am) looking for.

Here's how it might set up for you. Hope that helps.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (mgh)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:26:47 GMT

interface/soundcard same thing. with the ux2 you could mic your amp OR go DI (plug the guitar direct) and use the pod farm plug-in.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (dissfigured)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:23:14 GMT

So rather than saying I want to do it all for $200, lets help me do this over time and in the right order.

Looks like I need an interface w/ XLR input but confused because you say if I get that POD, I wont want yo mic the amp. I thought the point of the XLR input was to improve the quality of the mic'd amp? please clarify.

and then a sound card that is going to interface with the outputs from that interface.

Some questions:
Looking at the POD interface that you linked to, would I run the amp into that or plug guitar straight in?

Would it be better to get a sound card 1st then the Interface later?
It seems a lot of folks are recommending the m-audio cards and a few of them are in my price range.

Anyone live near Dallas and have a lower end (pricewise) setup they could demonstrate. I want to learn but it is hard to figure out what sounds good by just reading about it.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (Blades)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:17:13 GMT

I third (or 4th or whatever it is by now) the UX2 suggestion. For $200 you get everything you have asked for and more.

Using the 1/4" cable with a Shure SM58 is going to give you an impedance mismatch in much the same way as plugging a regular electric guitar into a Lo-Z input. The muttled sound you are getting is because of this.

Because the Spider is what it is, and the VST version of the stuff in PODFarm (part of the UX2 package) should surpass it by a pretty good margin, you probably still won't want/need to mic the amp, but you can certainly use that mic for other things, as it's a good mic and when properly connected, it will be night and day difference.

Since no one else has linked it (I didn't see one anyway), here's some info and demos of the UX2: http://line6.com/podstudioux2/

Here's where you can buy it: http://www.zzounds.com/item--LINPSUX2 - if you'd be kind enough to go to my website and use one of the zzounds links from there, I'd be appreciative.

I have a UX2 along with an Echo Audio Layla 3G, which has been a great workhorse over the last several year. The Gina3G was recommended above (same card with less I/O) and I can also support THAT as a good option, though it seems that the Toneport line would be more to your requirements and price.

Hope this helps. If you get the UX2, I'm pretty sure that you won't be disappointed.

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (hugojacquet)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:36:50 GMT

SvenArne

For what I gather are your needs (plus that you already know and love(?) Line6 amp models), I would strongly recommend the Line6 TonePort UX2 usb interface. That way you can leave your Spider at the rehersal room and still enjoy the tones played straight Into your computer with a simple guitar cable. PLUS, with the right setup you'll be able to change the sound after you've recorded it!

For DI guitar recording (with the GearBox/PodFarm software), latency is a non-issue. The box sits nicely on your desk and is as plug-and-play as they come! It doesn't have midi, but you can always get a usb keyboard for input or a cheap usb 1in1out midi interface later!

If you're only gonna use guitars and one dynamic microphone at a time the UX1 is alright but the UX2 has phantom power on its two mic preamps so you'll be able to use condenser microphones.

All that and it's cheap!

I have one at my desk (for plugin dongle purposes) though I've moved up because I needed more inputs for drumkit recording. But the interface always worked nicely with no hiccups ever as I can remember.

Sven

Edit: Forgot to credit Hugojaquet for getting there first

Hehe, I see we are on the same track here :-). For more inputs have bought a UX8 " />

Re:I need a sound card simple as that.. (hugojacquet)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:34:04 GMT

mgh

hey hugo
i agree with some of what you say, some less so. it's tough to answer the OP when he clearly doesn't even know what an XLR or 1/4" jack is called, in my post above i gave some advice which assumed different ways of recording, from DI-ing to mic'ing. I'd argue that a small mixer is pretty useful in any home studio, it lets you keep several things connected permanently, and provides expansion. but you could just use an external interface, of course. The OP needs to do a bit of research and understand terminology to narrow down his options i think. And be able to ignore some of the dodgy advice being given on here!

Hey,

I hear you. And I do agree whit most what you have said too. And I do agree a small mixer can come handy in a project studio. But I do not think the OP needs one per se. He has indeed some reading and learning to do.

But hey, even a small mixing desk and NO NEW soundcard would work too in his case. He just has to use the line- ins and not the mic in of his soundcard. A mixing desk could in that case be used as the "better" preamp compared to the one in his soundcard.

All this is possible, but I for me the Spider "s*cks" big time and it is of no use to try to record THAT signal as clean as possible. Unless he does it at minimal cost. the a jack to mini- jack adapter and into the line - in of his soundcard is already good enough.

If he follows some of the advice here he will end up micing his spider with a 100$+ microphone into a 100$+ mixer and that into a 100$+ soundcard. Well he could always ditch the microphone and go lin- in. He will spend 200$ minimum anyway.

And in that case I would go for decent modelling. Or buy a good amp to start with AND a decent microphone and a decent interface+ eventually a mixing desk. Although I think the preamps on most interfaces are better then on cheap mixing desks anyway...

So in the end I would go for a decent interface with line ins AND decent mic ins with phantom power like an edirol/ cakewalk UA 25 not to favor line6, but hey the toneport is cheaper, has the same in's and out's and comes with with modelling anyway as a "bonus"...And no I don't work for line6, but use their stuff.

To resume: in the case you have NO GOOD AMP and NO GOOD audio interface and have little money and struggle to record your guitar: buy a toneport.

If you plan to invest more, like for starters buying a real good amp for example, you CAN choose an other solution from the above that will capture your signal with fidelity. But... indeed that will cost (a lot) more.