Sound cards - overdubbing and multitracking

[FlatSurface]

I don't understand the multitracking and overdub capabilities of sound cards.

Hi all,

I tried to do some multitracking yesterday ... I have a SoundBlaster Live 5.1 and some recording software (Saw Pro).

I used the Online Drum Machine and set a drum track on track 1 - so far so good.
I then plugged my guitar into my Line 6 Spider IV and used the headphones/Record out jack into the the line in of my SBLive. I went to the Windows mixer and selected "line in" - when I armed the track I got meter - still good to go!

But ... when I started recording I could hear track 1 fine (drums) but I could not hear my current track - altho it did record and I heard it on play back.

Is this a sound card issue and the reason you have to have a card like the Mixtreme or Card Deluxe? Or is this a software issue - Saw is suppose to be fully functional (albeit out of production) multitrack recorder. Or am I just doing something wrong?

Please advise.

 

[ido1957]

Sounds like your sound card is unable to monitor your record track.
Buy a different sound card or interface that does zero latency monitoring.

 

[TetraFish]

Look for a monitor button in your software.

I think with your set up you'll have a lot of latency, so when you pluck a string on the guitar you probably will be able to detect a delay which can really through you off.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

As TetraFish says, there may be a function in SAW to monitor the inputs, but there might be too much latency. The normal thing would be to get a proper audio interface, and that would have provision for monitoring the tracks and the inputs without too much latency.

 

[FlatSurface]

Thank you for the replies!

So what I am looking for is a low latency interface/card with "direct hardware monitoring" (been reading a little bit! )?

Like either the

M-Audio Fast Track Pro 4x4 Mobile USB Audio/MIDI Interface with Preamps

or

Audiophile 2496 - 4-In/4-Out Audio Card with MIDI and Digital I/O

And if so - which actually has the least amount of latency - the card - that is actually installed on the PCI bus or the USB (2.0 I presume) which is cabled?

I've read a lot of good reviews on the M-Audio line.

Thanks again!

 

[ido1957]

M-Audio Fast Track Pro is highly recommended around these parts.

 

[TetraFish]

I'd go for the external interface. It has hardware monitoring which basically means 0 latency.

 

[FlatSurface]

Fast Track Pro - sounds like a plan!

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I'd go for the external interface. It has hardware monitoring which basically means 0 latency.

I would think that depends on whether the hardware monitoring happens before or after A/D conversion. Before conversion should mean zero latency. After conversion should mean low latency as the signal still has to go through A/D and D/A conversion along with a little processing time to mix it with the DAW output.

 

[Reek]

M-Audio Fast Track Pro is highly recommended around these parts.

I'll second that! I have a Fast Track Pro and I just got the new version of the Basic Fast Track and its a pretty capable little box as well (One Mic one Line input, 48v Phantom and 24bit 48khz).

I would think that depends on whether the hardware monitoring happens before or after A/D conversion. Before conversion should mean zero latency. After conversion should mean low latency as the signal still has to go through A/D and D/A conversion along with a little processing time to mix it with the DAW output.

I believe the Fast Track Pro is "Pre A/D Conversion". I've never had any latency to speak of.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I believe the Fast Track Pro is "Pre A/D Conversion". I've never had any latency to speak of.

The literature says "near-zero latency" which suggests to me the audio goes through converters and monitor mix DSP inside the interface. If you haven't noticed any latency then it's probably pretty low. People play live just fine with stage monitors that are, because of speed of sound, several milliseconds away. On the other hand, I've heard a difference in rhythmic feel when a track had a record offset of just under 1ms.

 

[Reek]

On the other hand, I've heard a difference in rhythmic feel when a track had a record offset of just under 1ms.

You must have quite and ear.