2 Sound Cards: Audiofile for input, existing for headphones

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flourish

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2 Sound Cards: Audiophile for input, existing for headphones

I recently picked up the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 sound card. Installed it and and the drivers successfully. The problem is my pre-existing sound card seems to have disappeared from the scene. I did not touch the old sound card, but the computer seems to no longer recognize it.

I am not too familiar with IRQ conflicts, but from what I do know, I thought if there was a conflict, it should appear as a conflicted piece of hardware in Control Panel > System > Device Manager > Sound. Only the Audiofile appears.

I want to use my existing sound card to send the recorded sound to my headphones for monitoring. I know a set of studio monitors would be ideal, but I want to try just the headphones for now. Here are the details of my old soundcard:

Sound: 3-D stereo, PCI, 16 bit sound
Controller: AMC97 Codec
Location: Crystal Sound Card (Chip on motherboard)

Under Control Panel > System > Sounds, the Sound Playback and Sound Recording only list Delta (Audiofile) in the dropdown lists. Any idea how I can use my old sound card to send the signal out for monitoring?
 
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You dont need to. Your Audiophile will monitor just fine with it's own line-outs.

Introducing another card just for this will not only be unneccesary, but may add delay to the chain.
 
Well, you didn't mention your recording software, but I use Cakewalk Sonar 3 with an AISO card, and I can only use that OR my old card at one time. I can't use both. I believe it is this way with the other Cakewalk products and probably with many other programs as well.
 
Tim: My initial thought was I could use Audiophile's line outs, but this is the problem I encountered:... the line outs are RCA, and I have a Y cable which goes from 2 RCA's males to one 1/8'' (3.5 mm) male connector (e.g. http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=2009&sku=03178). How would I plug my headphones into that 1/8'' male? I thought of trying to get a 3.5 mm stereo female/female coupler (e.g. http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=102&sku=03170), but the guy at Guitar Center said I really need a headphone amp... He said the coupler might work (they didn't have it), but I wouldn't be able to control the volume. Plus, it would only amplify at line level...

Are these real concerns? I didn't want to have to buy a headphone amp... if I had to spend money, I would just get powered monitors. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Erik: I plan on using N-Track Studio because I am own a tight budget.
 
While I don't know the specifics of your card, try the Y connector, and if it doesn't work, get a headphone amp. Headphone amps can be pretty cheap.
 
I use a Lexicon Omega (over usb 2) and my on-board "card" (the old AC97). The Omega obviously for input and I use the AC97 to run the speakers and headphones.

Win XP recognizes both of mine. If yours is not even in the lists you might try the control panel "Search for new hardware" thing.

There should be a volume control/button here:
Control Panel > System > Sounds, Sound Playback

It's not as nice as a knob but it should work.

Also, my AC97 does not do 48k. I have to disable it (otherwise my recording software won't open in 48k mode) and monitor through the Omega to mix 48k tracks. So if yours is the same and you want 24/96 from the audiophile you'll likely be using the Audiophile for monitoring anyway.
 
flourish said:
Tim: My initial thought was I could use Audiophile's line outs, but this is the problem I encountered:... the line outs are RCA, and I have a Y cable which goes from 2 RCA's males to one 1/8'' (3.5 mm) male connector (e.g. http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=2009&sku=03178). How would I plug my headphones into that 1/8'' male? I thought of trying to get a 3.5 mm stereo female/female coupler (e.g. http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=102&sku=03170), but the guy at Guitar Center said I really need a headphone amp... He said the coupler might work (they didn't have it), but I wouldn't be able to control the volume. Plus, it would only amplify at line level...

Are these real concerns? I didn't want to have to buy a headphone amp... if I had to spend money, I would just get powered monitors. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Erik: I plan on using N-Track Studio because I am own a tight budget.
Click to expand...

You will need SOMETHING to amplify the output, even if its just a boombox or home stereo that has a line-in and headphone jack. Any kind of stereo amplifier will work.

When mixing, you will want some speakers; never mix using headphones, they will screw up your mixes.

Adapting RCA to 1/8" is nothing; it's just two wires going to a metal plug.. the shape is irrelevant. Go to Radio Shack.
 
flourish said:
Earth to me.... I should just get one of these:
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=2009&sku=03182

Still, will I have the "line level / volume" problem? In other words, how could I increase the volume, etc? Also, for my understanding, would the Audiophile's analog-outs be considered powered?
Click to expand...

In the control panel of your audiophile you can switch the out mode from consumer to -10 dB.
in this way you can go into a rca or a jack input without problems.

Peace
 
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