SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare

RE: SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare (57Gregy)

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:19:54 GMT

But thanks, Bryan, for including that info for the beginners who have SoundMaxi. But soft synths, whether Edirol VSC, TTS-1 or Sound Center in the MC line of programs will sound better, I think.

RE: SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare (Robomusic)

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:07:47 GMT

The real point is that it is a waste of time to worry about this synth, all it is, is a cheap wavetable much in the vien of Microsoft synth GS. It is not worth the effort, use the softsynths that come with MC they are far better sounding and give a decent result.

these type synths are okay for internet midi sounds or some cheap player to demo stuff, but for music recording they are too inferior to get any decent results at all.

RE: SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare (bryangl)

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:53:31 GMT

Yes, I do realize the age of the last posting. But I was seeking some info, saw some conflict in belief as to the existance of a soft synth with SoundMAX software. So, in case someone else was stuck with older facilities and was looking for info I wanted to state that such a synth did exist for those who thought it didn't. I also said it was 'average'. If you read betwen the lines and consider its age, that implies that by modern standards it's rather poor. Also, some people were complaining of trouble with it, and I wanted to have my 1 cent worth and say, for me, it has been trouble free. All of which just might have been useful to someone.

RE: SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare (Beagle)

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:32:42 GMT

you realize you responded to a message which the last post on it was 2 years old, right?

and if what you say is true, nothing still has changed on any of my advice. any softsynth that comes with soundmax is not anywhere near the quality that comes with Music Creator's softsynths. and actually, you probably are using the MS GS Wavetable anyway - which we all know about but don't recommend using.

I'm not sure what "query" you're really trying to clear up from your post, tho. what exactly are you trying to say?

RE: SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare (bryangl)

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:48:07 GMT

Not having much money, I just purchased a rebuilt computer which happens to have SoundMAX digital audio with synthesizer. This softsynth exists entirely as computer files, and is identified as SoundMAX WDM MIDI, and if you look in yopur computer's Program Files, you will find all the relevant files for a software synth. So to those who think SoundMAX does not provide MIDI, they are (or were) wrong. If you try to download an update, you do not get the MIDI files. As a softsynth, it is just average in sound quality, but I have had no trouble with it. To record from a keyboard, a simple USB MIDI interface suffices. I have wanted to upgrade this softsynth, which is fairly old, but have not been able to find such an upgrade - all I can find is upgrades to the Digial Audio.
Dn't know if this clears up any queries that still linger?

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Beagle)

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:00:07 GMT

Ok, first of all, if you HAVE a LINE INPUT you should be using it instead of the MIC input. the MIC input on the soundmax has a couple of things that are working against you, first, it's got a preamp built in and you don't need the preamp since you're using the amp between the guitar and the soundcard.

also - that mic input is stereo, which wouldn't prevent you from getting the signal completely, but it will cause problems.

when you open your project, you open in track view by default. on the left is where the properties of the tracks are. at the bottom left are some tabs that say, I/O or ADVANCED or ALL (or something) click on ALL if you're not there already.

make one of the audio tracks taller by dragging the bottom of the track down (at the properties side) this should show you several things to set. one of them will be "O" which stands for OUTPUT. the pull down menu should have your soundcard listed there as an output you can select.

actually, the lab's not mine, it's a stock photo. I have a min-pin and a chihuahua mix. excellent program you're doing, tho, I know several folks personally who benefit from guide dogs.

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Dazeddad)

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:38:59 GMT

Beagle,
Sorry if I'm too vague. Guitar to computer is a new process for us. Posted here thinking it was a possible soundmax soundcard issue. I'd be happy to start a new thread instead. Thanks for the grace.

The Prob.....,We are trying to record tracks from his guitar to the MC3 software. His guitar is connected to his small practice amp and then the amp plugs into the MIC in port on the comp. This setup produced separate track recordings in the Acid pro software that we first tried, but will not record a track in the MC3 software. The meters do not register in MC3 when he strums but can be clearly heard through the comp speakers.

We followed the help instructions and did the tutorials but your comment, "have you set an AUDIO track input to the soundcard input and ARMED it?" is something I'm not too sure about. I think I got distracted with the NO MIDI mssg or possible Soundmax prob and missed something basic in the setup. "Setting an audio track" and arming the soundcard input may be the deal. Now I just have to figure out exactly how to do that. Thanks, Michael

PS your Lab avatar looks just like our Guide dog breeder who has over 25 pups out working today. She's a super tolerant sweetheart who's now retired.

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Beagle)

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:14:55 GMT

Michael,
first of all this really is a new topic specific to your needs, so it should have been posted in a new thread instead of tacked on to this one. I know - it was your first post...you're forgiven! " />

but on to your problem - I'm not sure from reading your post exactly what your problem is. was this: "...so that his guitar can use this software..." your problem? you'll need to be a little more specific with what you're asking. are you saying that you're trying to record guitar in MC3 but there's nothing getting recorded? If that's what you're saying, do the meters move on the track when you make sound on the guitar?

please provide us with more info. how do you have the guitar connected to the computer/sound card? have you followed the instructions in the getting started guide? i.e. have you set an AUDIO track input to the soundcard input and ARMED it? are you plugging directly into the sound card - and if so, which input? LINE INPUT or MIC INPUT?

as far as the MIDI DEVICES, no they are NOT required. if you don't have a keyboard or drum machine connected to the computer for MC to recognize, then you don't have any devices to select. just UNcheck the box at the bottom of that window that says something like "ALWAYS WARN ME..."

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Dazeddad)

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:25:44 GMT

My elec guitar crazed son wants to try his hand at recording multiple tracks on our computer. After trying the free Acid pro download which has recorded his guitar from his amp to an input cord plugged into the mic jack in the comp he rushed out and bought MC3 to get other backup tracks etc. Well, 8hrs of frustration led me here in hopes of some reasonable solution so that his guitar can use this software to help him keep his enthusiasm.

There's no midi selection choices which seem required. Our soundcard/chip is the typical Dell integrated soundmax with Roland drivers. I did install the softsynth from the disc. We can hear his input on the speakers but it still won't record the input to a track. I have an old(very old) SoundBlaster Live sc that i could install if there was a chance it would resolve the issue but as musically inexperienced as I am, it seems that it needs some other component that the software wants between the guitar and the comp.

I've read and tried to apply about everything in the forum, posted here because the thread seems related to my issue, but I guess I'm missing something basic and burned out trying w/o help. I know you guys are way beyond this simple mess I'm in but thanks for your advice.

Michael

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Beagle)

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 23:04:24 GMT

bump

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (millerbill)

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 20:37:36 GMT

bump

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Beagle)

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:28:11 GMT

BOOOOINNNG
BUMP

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Beagle)

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:15:35 GMT

bumpers

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (millerbill)

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:48:12 GMT

bump

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (robcworcs)

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 18:51:32 GMT

All good points from all parties I think.
But ultimately does the issue not lie with the Interface Standards of audio device drivers and applications ?
I mean if the way interfaces between audio device drivers(eg Soundmax) and applications (eg Cakewalk Plasma) were implemented to the same standards, then Plasma should work with all audio devices, and all audio devices should work with Plasma ! Bar physical hardware limitations of course.

I have the exact issue this thread is talking about - A soundmax device and Cakewalk Plasma. None of it works together. Many, many months later I find this thread - so thanks for the help. " />. I uninstalled Plasma a year ago and never bothered with it because I couldnt get it to work!.
Of course this time could of been saved by many people if Plasma had identified the installed sound device as not suitable, and Soundmax had clearly informed the user of its limited capabilities. To me it's a clear fault of both vendors not taking responsibility for their own products. Those who propser are those who make the most robust products, just because a Standard does not 'tell' the vendors what to do, it does not absolve them of responsibility to the customer. Had the reliability and robustness study been conducted to a suitable level on both products & the standards were sufficient, we would not be talking about this.

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (millerbill)

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 16:11:26 GMT

bump

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (millerbill)

Wed, 25 May 2005 18:53:33 GMT

bump

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (Robomusic)

Mon, 16 May 2005 20:37:57 GMT

I think the problem comes in when we as consumers buy into the idea that all we have to do is buy a program for $40 and our computer will magically turn into a recording studio.

I mean to record in the past one needed thousands of dollars or analog equipment to do the deed. Now a $40 program is supposed to replace that, I admit i bought into it to start, but after a little research I realizes that that was being just plain silly.

It takes some very specialized equipment to make it all come together. The real problem lies in that fact that every computer is different, when you go to the store and buy a game for a Sony playstation, you can not play it on a game boy, but it will play on all playstations, so why do we think that every computer is set up the same, if we want decent results from hard disk recording, we need to do our homework and set up properly, i mean the sound card in most computers was never designed to record audio and midi and replay multiple tracks of sound, only to replay windows sounds and a game or two, and then maybe a cd or MP3, onw task at a time, recording ask it to do several of these at a time.

RE: SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard (doubleR)

Mon, 16 May 2005 20:09:17 GMT

Maybe we should rename these cards SoundMIN.

" />

SoundMAX - Digital Audio Nightmare (millerbill)

Mon, 16 May 2005 12:30:46 GMT

- We have had to answer so many questions regarding this card, and in the process defend Music Creator [not our job] that I thought it was time to get some of this research in one place.

If you are an owner of a SoundMAX Digital Audio soundcard you are probably having problems. There are a lot of them out there. We do not have many solutions to your problems, but here is information that may help you understand the situation.

MIDI
Your SoundMax, for all intents and purposes, is audio only and NOT able to do MIDI without some changes.
As a matter of fact after a bit of research I find that in most cases even SoundMax agrees. "MIDI music playback" only.

http://forms.analog.com/Form_Pages/soundMAX/soundMAXSupportFAQ.html#audiojacks
33 Why doesn't my MIDI port work?
Musicians sometimes use the MIDI port connector on some computers to connect to an external musical instrument. SoundMAX does not support the MIDI port of computers.
In many cases, because the MIDI synthesizer runs on the computer's main processor, there can be a short delay between when a MIDI instrument (that is connected to the computer) plays a note and when that note plays out the speakers.
On some computers, SoundMAX includes a MIDI synthesizer (which simulates musical instruments) which can play MIDI files. Some games and web pages create audio sounds using the MIDI synthesizer.

The key here is that the SoundMax allows playback of MIDI files featuring what they call â€œDown Loadable Soundsâ€ Realize this is MIDI Music Synthesis via software instead of hardware.

I do not know how SoundMax implements their MIDI synthesis. I only know of one way to get some MIDI sound out of a chip that only shows MIDI Mapper [which as you may already know will never play MIDI]. You will have to use a Soft Synth.
See how with Robomusicâ€™s Tutorial on Soft Synths here
http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.asp?m=390443&key=Using%2Csoft%2Csynths

If you want to play YOUR keyboard, the problem to be solved is how to connect the (music) keyboard to your computer, given that there are no existing MIDI cable connections via joystick port, etc.

Does your computer have a USB port available? You can buy hardware that acts as an interface to the MIDI keyboard, and plugs into the USB port. I haven't tried one, but I am told that they work just fine. [USB 2.0 at least]

Other sound cards will work also. [Don't ask me as I don't know and don't use or own a SoundMax.]

AUDIO
Audio Problems also seem to plague this card, perhaps because many of them are implemented in Half-Duplex Mode â€“ Music Creator requires Full-Duplex.

If you search the forum and suggestions like What You Hear and Input Monitoring don't work there is most likely a problem or conflict with your sound chip. It is not a sound card, but a chip attached to the motherboard.

I suggest that if a SoundMax owner is still unconvinced that they contact SoundMax tech support directly. http://forms.analog.com/Form_Pages/soundMAX/soundMAXSupport.asp
and find out why their chip causes so many problems with Cakewalk products. They will probably blame Cakewalk â€“ but this one isnâ€™t Twelve Tones' fault. They will also probably refer you to your computer manufacturer â€“ as each manufacturer can implement the SoundMax in different ways. They do provide links to all the computer companies that use their chip http://forms.analog.com/Form_Pages/soundMAX/soundMAXSupport.asp.
But in the end itâ€™s the Tech Support world â€“ too many keep blaming someone else, until eventually itâ€™s all Bill Gatesâ€™ fault.

It does amaze me that people will blame Cakewalk when hundreds of thousands of people have no problem with their hardware. The prime variable is the sound card/ chip, and when problems consistently fall on a particular group of cards/ chips, and can't be solved, it is unfair to blame Cakewalk. I have been very critical of Cakewalk when they deserve it [i.e. Documentation] and I admit that there can be software problems; however, how does it make sense to blame Cakewalk for a hardware problem? Especially when dealing with sound chips where the manufacturer doesn't even use hardware drivers that can be updated when problems arise.

The SoundMax is a variation of the AC97 onboard sound chip, a notoriously problem plagued device. It is not always the cause of your problem, but I believe it IS more often than we would like to see. I regret that most computer makers, at least the ones that sell a lot, are using this chip. It works fine for gamers, but people like you, who only want to make music are ignored.

Sorry to say, that owners of SoundMax and AC97 onboard sound devices would save themselves a lot of frustration by simply purchasing an add-on sound card.

Someone wondered why I hate these onboard sound suckers. It's because it is you and I who have to pay - and we deserve more for our money!

See this post for more information: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=883093