Cakewalk Homestudio4 won't import my .wav files

[ultrajosh]

I track onto an alesis HD24, and I just got the attachment that lets me export the tracks as indiv .wav files to my pc. The attributes of the exported .wav file: 48000 Hz, 24 bits, Mono.

When I try to import one of these .wav files into a track in Homestudio4, I get the message:"Unable to import wave file. The file's audio format is incompatible with the Project."

In the /Options /Audio dialog, I have changed the Project Default sampling rate and bit depth to match the .wav file's attributes, and then created a new project, but still the same deal. (Note: There doesn't seem to be any way to change a project's settings after the fact).

I'm just using this software temporarily until I can afford Cubase SX, but I don't understand why I can't do this simple wave file Import.

Argh! Any tips appreciated.

 

[James Argo]

What's your soundcard? Does it support 24bit/48kHz?


Jaymz

 

[ultrajosh]

Creative Audigy2 ZS

Official Specifications:

Signal-to-Noise Ratio with AES17 filter (A-Weighted): 108dB
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion during playback with sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz in 7.1 mode and up to 192kHz in stereo mode
Analog to Digital conversion during recording in 8, 16 or 24-bit at sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) input at up to 24-bit/ 96kHz quality
SPDIF output up to 24-bit at 48 or 96kHz
ASIO 2.0 drivers for low latency (as low as 2ms) multi-track playback and recording at 16-bit/48kHz or 24-bit/96kHz
FireWire® (IEEE®1394) / i-Link® compatible interface with up to 400Mbps transfer rate
THX Multimedia Certification award.
Decodes Dolby Digital Surround EX to 7.1 or 6.1 channels, or will pass through a compressed SPDIF bitstream to an external decoder
Support DTS (including ES) decoding for up to 7.1 audio

Info from my System Info screen (Creative)

Device name: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [B400]
Driver version: 5.1
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100

Supported formats:
- 11.025 kHz, mono, 8-bits
- 11.025 kHz, mono, 16-bits
- 11.025 kHz, stereo, 8-bits
- 11.025 kHz, stereo, 16-bits
- 22.05 kHz, mono, 8-bits
- 22.05 kHz, mono, 16-bits
- 22.05 kHz, stereo, 8-bits
- 22.05 kHz, stereo, 16-bits
- 44.1 kHz, mono, 8-bits
- 44.1 kHz, mono, 16-bits
- 44.1 kHz, stereo, 8-bits
- 44.1 kHz, stereo, 16-bits

Others
- Support separate left and right volume control
- Support volume control
- Support returning of sample-accurate position information


So is the Audigy configured wrong or am I in need of a better soundcard?

 

[moskus]

I'm just using this software temporarily until I can afford Cubase SX,

I'll give you a little tip: Forget about Cubase SX, and get Sonar 3 Producer. You can even use your HS004 license to get a discount when you upgrade.



Doesen't this state that it won't work? I don't see 48 kHz, 24 bit...

Supported formats:
- 11.025 kHz, mono, 8-bits
- 11.025 kHz, mono, 16-bits
- 11.025 kHz, stereo, 8-bits
- 11.025 kHz, stereo, 16-bits
- 22.05 kHz, mono, 8-bits
- 22.05 kHz, mono, 16-bits
- 22.05 kHz, stereo, 8-bits
- 22.05 kHz, stereo, 16-bits
- 44.1 kHz, mono, 8-bits
- 44.1 kHz, mono, 16-bits
- 44.1 kHz, stereo, 8-bits
- 44.1 kHz, stereo, 16-bits

I assume you have HomeStudio 2004 (not 4). Have you tried ASIO-drivers or MME-drivers?

 

[brzilian]

I track onto an alesis HD24, and I just got the attachment that lets me export the tracks as indiv .wav files to my pc. The attributes of the exported .wav file: 48000 Hz, 24 bits, Mono.

When I try to import one of these .wav files into a track in Homestudio4, I get the message:"Unable to import wave file. The file's audio format is incompatible with the Project."

In the /Options /Audio dialog, I have changed the Project Default sampling rate and bit depth to match the .wav file's attributes, and then created a new project, but still the same deal. (Note: There doesn't seem to be any way to change a project's settings after the fact).

I'm just using this software temporarily until I can afford Cubase SX, but I don't understand why I can't do this simple wave file Import.

Argh! Any tips appreciated.

Is that Home Studio 4 or 2004?

If its 2004, did you change the format to 24/48?

 

[ultrajosh]

"Doesen't this state that it won't work? I don't see 48 kHz, 24 bit..."

That list is from the Creative control panel. The specifications they sell it with are in the first list, and it says 24 bit a few different times. My point is that at the very least it is misleading OR maybe something is configured incorrectly OR I need a different sound card to mix at 24bit.

"Homestudio 2004?"

Oops, sorry, my mistake! I just checked and what I actually have is Homestudio 2002, it came free on the Creative disk. It has settings for 24 bit and 48K, which I have set as the defaults. So I think the limitation is in the card.

Still looking for good suggestions for a card to get.

Question: to mix 24 tracks of 24 bit 48K (or higher) do I need a soundcard that can record these things? If so that would be a lot of $. See, I was thinking since the files were already created, I would not need to pay for super-duper recording capabilities on the card, since everything is already digital, but maybe my thinking was wrong, in which case I might as well have just gone for the typical DAW setup and skipped the Alesis HD24 altogether.

I like the idea of tracking without a computer, and the Alesis is portable, and the format is stable, so if there's a way to do this I would appreciate some suggestions. If I have to go buy a card that records 24 tracks at 24/96 that will cost thousands of dollars, right? If svo I might as well forget it and buy a mixing board and us the Alesis in analog mode.

 

[ultrajosh]

"Forget about Cubase SX, and get Sonar 3 Producer"

What are some selling points of Sonar 3 over VCubase SX?

 

[brzilian]

M-Audio Audiophile 2496 or Echo MiaMIDI - $150

If you're looking to replace the HD24, you're looking at considerable more money.

 

[ultrajosh]

I don;t want to prelace the HD24, I want to use it for tracking, and use software just for mixing.

"M-Audio Audiophile 2496 or Echo MiaMIDI - $150"

Will this allow me to edit and mix all 24 tracks in Cubase or Sonar or whatever I end up with? I don't want to buy another card and find out it has other limitations.

 

[brzilian]

I don;t want to prelace the HD24, I want to use it for tracking, and use software just for mixing.

"M-Audio Audiophile 2496 or Echo MiaMIDI - $150"

Will this allow me to edit and mix all 24 tracks in Cubase or Sonar or whatever I end up with? I don't want to buy another card and find out it has other limitations.

Yes, it will

 

[James Argo]

Listen to brzilian. Not that Creative sucks... but trust me, you'll get night and day difference when you get pro card. In fact, I'm devoted Creative card user when it comes to MIDI stuff. Have both SBLive! on one machine, and Audigy on the other one. They gave me everything I need to simplify my MIDI sequencing job. But when it comes to mix audio, M-Audio shows it's class on my project. Even when you managed to solve your Creative card problem, you won't expect the audio quality any higher than pro cards.

To mix 24/48, you only need card that can playback at mentioned rate. I've rarely heard card can playback 24/48 but couldn't record 24/48. I could be wrong anyway...

What are some selling points of Sonar 3 over VCubase SX?

Hey, we're talking about your precious music... why compromise with such dongle head?


Jaymz