Does USB MIDI benefit from WDM drivers?

N

NukeYork

New member
I'm posting this in Cakewalk forum AND in the MIDI forum.

Does USB MIDI benefit from WDM drivers?

Before I acquire a MIDI interface for my new computer, I was wondering if it makes a difference whether I use the USB port, or a MIDI interface that's built in with the PCI soundcard. I'll be running Cakewalk Sonar in Windows 2000, but don't know if the new WDM drivers are going to be an issue with these methods of MIDI connection. I'm planning on playing DXi soft synths in real time, and occasionally using MTC MIDI sync. From what I gather so far, it looks like the WDM drivers are very helpful when playing the DXi soft synths on an MS Windows based system. I just need to know what performance issues there are (if any) with regard to these two MIDI connection methods. Which is best for performance- built in to the PCI soundcard or USB?

Also, would a soundcard with a DSP processor help reduce latency while using DXi soft synths, or are the built in DSP chips used mainly for real time effects?
-thanks

Intel 845 with P4 1.6 GHz
memory- 512mB DDR
two hdd ATA 100 7200 rpm
OS- Win 2000
application- CW Sonar
 
In general- PCI has much greater bandwith than USB. If you only use USB for midi you may be okay but bare in mind that all USB devices (mouse, keyboard, etc) will be sharing that bandwidth.

DSP chips probably will not help your softsynths. But you can get cards with synth chips on them.
 
Thanks for takin the time to reply. I'm a bit overwelmed at this point, as I am only just now taking the leap from magnetic tape to the digital recording system. Maybe I should be posting in the "Newbie" section? I was looking at the Creamware soundcards (among dozens of other brands) with their built in DSP processors, but they aren't cheap, and I'm not even sure if I need to invest in that type of hardware.
Also, there are a lot of MIDI interfaces out there as well. I was thinking that if I got a soundcard with built in MIDI, that it would minimize the chances of incompatibility and other such conflicts. As you're probably well aware, a lot of manufacturers are making USB MIDI ports, but it seems like a crap shoot in determining which way to go. My intel 845 board has 7 USB ports, but heck, I may not need but maybe one, or two at the most.
My main needs are basic multitracking with mic'd instruments, live synth and MIDI controlled synth. I am looking forward to using the DXi softsynths. The finished tracks will be mixed on the same computer to a stereo recording and subsequently burned to a CD-R, and occasionally analog cassette.
 
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