Audio Card?

[TelePaul]

Hi guys, my question relates to a computers audio card (I do NOT mean an interface, I mean the actual card used to play mp3s, dvds, video game audio etc)

Is this used by the sequencer when I'm playing back Audio? Basically I'm experiencing pops and clicks in Cubase; I re-loaded Cubase and updated all drivers, disabled all non-vital processes such as internet and virus check and also checked for spyware....yet I still get intermittent clicks...could it be my computers Audio card? Thanks guys.

[BillyBo]

make sure the only thing you are running at the time of recording/mixing/playback from Cubase is that program itself. sometimes when i'm running heavy on the CPU, Adobe Audition will click or pop, then i'll bring it back to see what happened and it will be clear. so it might be that. unless you've got a power-user setup, i'd only run Cubase when working w/ music... that's what i do when recording at least.



bless.

[ssscientist]

The interface and the audio card are, or should be, one in the same.

If you still have an active 'audio card' in your computer that's probably causing the clicks when you use Cubase.

You need to disable your audio card and use your interface for playing video games, watching DVD's etc etc

[TelePaul]

thanks man ill try disable the realtek....any ideas on what else it cud be in case this doesnt work?

[Carter]

I believe thats the answer

[Forlorn]

FWIW: I actually have 2 sound cards set up on my PC, a bog standard SoundBlaster for the general stuff like sounds/games/mp3 playback etc, and an M-Audio Delta 44 for specific use with my Audio Software (Cubase). As the SoundBlaster is the default card, setting up the Delta as the sequencer only card is pretty easy, and with it being a "Pro" quality card, the pops & clicks issue (as well as latency issues) are easy enough to work around.

The bonus of the Delta is that it comes with a 4 Input/Output break out box (no MIDI connection), which are all 6.4mm (1/4") TRS jacks, it's reasonably priced as well if you're on a budget. If you need MIDI, they also produce USB MIDI interfaces that are reasonably priced.

[robbyrobmusik]

Originally Posted by Forlorn

FWIW: I actually have 2 sound cards set up on my PC, a bog standard SoundBlaster for the general stuff like sounds/games/mp3 playback etc, and an M-Audio Delta 44 for specific use with my Audio Software (Cubase). As the SoundBlaster is the default card, setting up the Delta as the sequencer only card is pretty easy, and with it being a "Pro" quality card, the pops & clicks issue (as well as latency issues) are easy enough to work around.

The bonus of the Delta is that it comes with a 4 Input/Output break out box (no MIDI connection), which are all 6.4mm (1/4") TRS jacks, it's reasonably priced as well if you're on a budget. If you need MIDI, they also produce USB MIDI interfaces that are reasonably priced.

ACTUALLY happy you broke it down like this because yesterday i was looking at the sound card thinking hum wait a mintue now what speakers and I going to use for regular comp stuff.. Glad to know that the SB and M-audio get along..

Now for the beginner can i use the actual computer speakers i have now, 3 piece set w/ sub, for the recording stuff? I know it wont be as good sound quality as monitors but can it be done?

rob

[daav]

In my exp the two things listed are what needs to be troubleshot:
1. Conlfict between cards (I can't think of a reason to use soundblaster type card for games or music or whatever, the audio quality card will always be better i would think).
2 CPU drain. I foolishly put all my MP3s on my DAW because it had the drive space and when my girlfriend plays music ont hat drive from her machine through the network inmy house, i get horrible pops.

One other possiblity:
3. Cables, electonic interferance, crappy power supply (fluctuations, surges etc).

Now for the beginner can i use the actual computer speakers i have now, 3 piece set w/ sub, for the recording stuff? I know it wont be as good sound quality as monitors but can it be done?

Yes, for recording they can work, for mixing you will be running uph ill because you will be hearing a really distorted verion of your mixes (probabaly lots of bass boosted, which will make your mixed anemic in the bass department). But to get started it won't kill you, just make you feel like you suck 100% when you only might suck 98% as youget started (don;t worry though, you will upgrade your monitors some day and learn stuff and suck less and less all the time).

Daav

[Forlorn]

Now for the beginner can i use the actual computer speakers i have now, 3 piece set w/ sub, for the recording stuff? I know it wont be as good sound quality as monitors but can it be done?

I route my Delta 44 through my Hi Fi (separates) using a jack to phono lead, but if the computer speakers are of good enough quality, then there shouldn't be a problem running them as your monitors.

I have never experienced any conflicts between soundcards, just make sure you configure the Audio software to recognise the right soundcard. In my experience, most applications and games don't recognise "pro" soundcards, so you simply can't use them as your general soundcard (why would you WANT to?). If your machine IS networked, make sure the drive you store your recordings on is free from other stuff, if you only have the one drive, look at installing a second.

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by Forlorn

In my experience, most applications and games don't recognise "pro" soundcards, so you simply can't use them as your general soundcard (why would you WANT to?).

I give up.

Bad bad bad advice that's going to be on page 10 of every Google search for 'soundcard compatibility' and will most probably give someone who was going to do it the right way the idea that 'you simply can't use them as your general soundcard'.

My goodness gracious.

.

[TelePaul]

Thanks guys for all your excellent advice, ill try this out the first chance i get. Is it as easy as disabling my generic sound card in the control panel? Thanks again, you give great advice and are a credit to the workigns of this forum.