interface schminterface

[mcowing]

There's a question about setup that, despite scouring the internet, I can't seem to find a lot of people talking about it. When I use a DAW, audio will not play from any other windows application like itunes, youtube/internet browsers. I realize this is because ASIO4all only allows the audio driver to run 1 thing at a time. This seems like an issue that would be widely talked about, especially among people that don't understand how ASIO works. I've tried an ASIO manager to go along with the main driver to no avail. I've gotten around this by making a custom splitter that routes my computers soundcard and my interface outputs to the same speaker monitors. But there's no way everyone is doing this! And the difference in volume is huge (my interface has no output volume control)

How do you guys record and playback in your DAW, with an interface and ASIO and still utilize other applications audio at the same time???? HOW!?!?!?

I'm not really a newb, new to this site though. I've been recording at home for many years. I used Reason for years and just started using Ableton as well.
Windows 10
M-Audio USB duo (early 2000's interface)
ASIO4all (m-audio drivers for my interface stopped at winxp)

 

[bouldersoundguy]

ASIO4all is not ASIO, it's fake ASIO. That's one problem. I suspect the only solution is newer hardware that has a Win10 compatible ASIO driver.

The other problem is that your splitter isn't a splitter, it's a passive combiner without isolation. My solution to this is two different playback systems, one for normal computer stuff and one for music production. Gotta keep 'em separated.

 

[Chili]

Not sure what limitations ASIO4ALL has on your interface. In windows, you should be able to select the interface as the default sound device then everything will run through it.

I personally don't do that.... I have two sets of speakers. Nearfield monitors for the interface, bookshelf speakers for the computer. I know that doesn't help you much, but it's something to consider.

In the end, using the proper drivers for your interface is key. ASIO4ALL is a band-aid. If your interface doesn't have the latest drivers, you might consider upgrading to a newer one.

[Edit: BSG said the same thing, only more succinctly. ]

 

[Coquet-Shack]

My interface is plugged into my PC. Then go to the Windows sound device manager and make it the default playback device.

I hear all audio (from everything DAW or Windows ... say Spotify) through my Interface. Simples.

 

[ecc83]

There may be a solution.. W10 has the WASAPI audio driver (you might have to download them) and I have read that they are nearly as good as ASIO? Likely better than ASIO4ALL anyway!

Dave.

 

[miroslav]

I just use the ASIO driver that comes with the interface...DUH...works fine, works for everything, including multiple devices at the same time...etc...not sure why people need to download all these other driver solutions unless they don't have/can't get a current driver for their interface...in which case you need an interface that runs with your current OS.

 

[mcowing]

ASIO4all is not ASIO, it's fake ASIO. That's one problem. I suspect the only solution is newer hardware that has a Win10 compatible ASIO driver.

The other problem is that your splitter isn't a splitter, it's a passive combiner without isolation. My solution to this is two different playback systems, one for normal computer stuff and one for music production. Gotta keep 'em separated.

"ASIO4ALL is a band-aid."

I didn't know that ASIO was just a stand in for real drivers. When I initially found it, it was a miracle, I could still use my old workhorse interface.

When you say two different playback systems, do you mean what Chili said, 2 different speaker sets? I know that would work but I wanted to keep my desk real estate open and minimal...

"There may be a solution.. W10 has the WASAPI audio driver (you might have to download them) and I have read that they are nearly as good as ASIO? Likely better than ASIO4ALL anyway!"

ecc83, I will definitely look into this, thanks!

So the general concensus is: the reason I haven't come across many people online with this issue is because newer hardware and their drivers have built in integration options. I didn't want to have my interface on all the time, only when using the DAW, but I guess it's really no big deal.

Back to what bouldersoundguy said, my custom cable is a 'combiner' to solve this problem. I was thinking I needed a small mixer to even out the source volume problems (computer is way louder than interface output) so I was leaning towards something like the Yamaha AG03 or AG06. Those are small 3 and 6 channel mixers with a 24/192 usb interface built in. I was thinking I would run my computer output to one mixer channel, my guitar to another and my monitors out from the mixer. But, the more I understand the newest types of interfaces and drivers, it seems like I wouldn't need the mixer/interface combo, because a new interface and paired driver would integrate my computer sounds and my DAW audio better... Is that correct?

That's a mouth full, but thanks for sticking with me. When I was using the m-audio drivers with winxp they didn't have any functionality besides choosing between ASIO and MME. I was under the impression even the newest interfaces and drivers basically did only this.

 

[gecko zzed]

"ASIO4ALL is a band-aid."

I didn't know that ASIO was just a stand-in for real drivers.

ASIO4ALL is not ASIO. ASIO4ALL is the stand in. ASIO is the real.

When you say two different playback systems, do you mean what Chili said, 2 different speaker sets? I know that would work but I wanted to keep my desk real estate open and minimal.

Yep. That sounds reasonable. You can use just one set of speakers. The interface becomes your systems sound card, and everything goes through it to the one set of speakers.

I didn't want to have my interface on all the time, only when using the DAW, but I guess it's really no big deal.

I'm not sure why you not want your interface on all the time, and to use it only for the DAW. But you are right: it's no big deal. Send everything to the interface and to the one set of speakers.

Back to what bouldersoundguy said, my custom cable is a 'combiner' to solve this problem. I was thinking I needed a small mixer to even out the source volume problems (computer is way louder than interface output) so I was leaning towards something like the Yamaha AG03 or AG06. Those are small 3 and 6 channel mixers with a 24/192 usb interface built in. I was thinking I would run my computer output to one mixer channel, my guitar to another and my monitors out from the mixer. But, the more I understand the newest types of interfaces and drivers, it seems like I wouldn't need the mixer/interface combo, because a new interface and paired driver would integrate my computer sounds and my DAW audio better... Is that correct?

This is all way more complicated than it needs to be. Go simple.

 

[mcowing]

ASIO4ALL is not ASIO. ASIO4ALL is the stand in. ASIO is the real.

I meant to say ASIO is the real driver, and ASIO4all is the stand in. typo.

This is all way more complicated than it needs to be. Go simple.

Sounds about right. I want something with good functionality, but simple, not just when recording and using a DAW, but when using my computer in general. at least 2 XLR inputs and 2 1/4" inputs.