Is buying recording hardware really necessary for a windows 7 system?

[Bradleymedia]

Okay, I'm new here and I have a question I'm hoping someone can answer. I thought this looked like the best active thread to post the question under. I am a professional voice-over commercial production talent. I have been using a home studio built around a computer using Windows XP and a MIA Midi Card with balanced input/output for years. My computer died and I've been shopping for a new one and I can't really afford to consult the engineer I usually employ to build my system until I have all the parts together...so here I am asking this question: Can I use my MIA Midi Card that I have on-hand (and love like my childhood teddy-bear) with a newer computer running Windows 7 as an operating system? I'm finding it difficult to save money by buying off the shelf and modifying with the engineer in the studio build as opposed to buying something specially built - like everyone else, I'm trying to save money where I can. Anyone have an answer to MIA Midi and Windows 7?

 

[rokinrandy]

Might be better if you just start a new thread instead of piggy backing...Number one Your question would be more visible in the forum as people browse.Plus it would keep each of the discusions more focused and more on the topic...Not to mention consolidated,Makes it easier for future reference when people search similar issues,..And it's also very considerate and good forum Edicate etc..
Really first You should introduce yourself and say hi to the good people of this forum where it says new here...
And then try posting this in the apropiate section...Lot's of good people to meet that don't mind helping..

About this card...
Since yer here "Another thing I may suggest Is before doing all that typing into a forum is save time and
simply type "MIA Midi Card" into the google bar instead..And then look at the same drivers available
for download That I just looked at..Wow it should work with W7...Sit down and download em,Then keep trying to make it work...
If that don't work you need to contact customer support and see what else you over looked..

I'm assuming with the info provided about your carreer and engineers and everything
that you skipped over providing all the important info like pci,pci-e and other stuff that dose'nt sound cool.
Because number 1 DRIVER issues are the number one issue that causes noobs stuff not to work.
Well Even talented comercial producers not to work as well I suppose.
Number 2 the system requirements do not meet.

So theres a lot of info you need to post and be aware of before you buy anything,,
or you will be spending lots of money..but go on and shell it out...your a pro,get something badd ass dude,,
I would if I recorded for a living

But You just seem to be into much of a hurry..
Slow down do some research..Quit skippin over stuff and piggy backing.Read Read Read.
I don't know from experience but I guess Being a talented comercial producer has it's time restraints .
But Time restraints is an issue I totally understand,,
I don't know what it's lke to be a pro,talented producer So my advice is probably inferior
to you anyways,Must be nice

But If you're going to do this yourself I hope that you slow down
put some real effort into figuring this out this time..And be more considerate of many things or you'll end up broke and pissed off..Good luck

 

[rokinrandy]

here's a pretty sweet thread
https://homerecording.com/bbs/gener...ltitrack-computer-interface-recording-323561/


NATIVE INSTRUMENTS : HOME | HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR MUSICIANS, PRODUCERS, DJS, GUITAR AND BASS PLAYERS

Damn I still have a burning question that needs answering before I make my decision..
So I think I need to clarify my question just with 5 simple questions below.I guess I don't know how to ask the right questions so I'll just try it this way.Then I'll close this thread,,Promise.

I think I'm just having a hard time expressing what I mean..I'm really debating with this little money that I have and it's driving me crazy..
I simply came back to ask this because I've been a member here a few years at this forum.I have been recording stuff for a few years now on an older system.A lot of good recomendations and info but I already know how to pick a good sound card,.I have one already ,but to bad I can't use it on the new system because it is a good set up....,But do I really need to get a sound card for my new system,That's the question,You will see why I ask and what I mean from the 5 questions below...

I mean with the new features on windows 7 and all this memory I have on this machine With ASIO it seems verry possible..,

1.I mean if I wanted a guitar track or 2..Then I could just use Guitar rig with the usb connection.No soundcard needed ...Correct?..

2.If I need drums I can use EZ.edit them mix them.Correct..

3.If I need vocals(mic) then I can see where I would need Innys and outtys..But what if I have a usb mic.Then that should be good to go,Correct?..

4. NOW mixdown and playback..I get a lot of pops and stuff in Sonar..I'm using ASIO software...This is why I asked the question in the first place..Is this my software settings or is it because I need a 400.00 interface and ditch the onboard sound to solve the issue..

5.I'm just a one man hobbyist So I have a midisport and a synth controller.So I really do not need a lot of extra stuff in a soundcard,If I really need it..Before I go buy it I want to be clear with my question 100%..Is there any reason I would need the interface for mixing down a 1 man project with audio and vsti..???Would I need to buy a 400.00 buck interface to accomplish a smooth recording experience..Or is windows 7 capable of making this happen with propperly configured software????

O.k Now I should be 100% clear if anyone chimes in thanks for putting up with me one more time and thanks again for you guys that has replied...

 

[somegeezer]

Damn I still have a burning question that needs answering before I make my decision..
So I think I need to clarify my question just with 5 simple questions below.I guess I don't know how to ask the right questions so I'll just try it this way.Then I'll close this thread,,Promise.

I think I'm just having a hard time expressing what I mean..I'm really debating with this little money that I have and it's driving me crazy..
I simply came back to ask this because I've been a member here a few years at this forum.I have been recording stuff for a few years now on an older system.A lot of good recomendations and info but I already know how to pick a good sound card,.I have one already ,but to bad I can't use it on the new system because it is a good set up....,But do I really need to get a sound card for my new system,That's the question,You will see why I ask and what I mean from the 5 questions below...

I mean with the new features on windows 7 and all this memory I have on this machine With ASIO it seems verry possible..,

1.I mean if I wanted a guitar track or 2..Then I could just use Guitar rig with the usb connection.No soundcard needed ...Correct?..

2.If I need drums I can use EZ.edit them mix them.Correct..

3.If I need vocals(mic) then I can see where I would need Innys and outtys..But what if I have a usb mic.Then that should be good to go,Correct?..

4. NOW mixdown and playback..I get a lot of pops and stuff in Sonar..I'm using ASIO software...This is why I asked the question in the first place..Is this my software settings or is it because I need a 400.00 interface and ditch the onboard sound to solve the issue..

5.I'm just a one man hobbyist So I have a midisport and a synth controller.So I really do not need a lot of extra stuff in a soundcard,If I really need it..Before I go buy it I want to be clear with my question 100%..Is there any reason I would need the interface for mixing down a 1 man project with audio and vsti..???Would I need to buy a 400.00 buck interface to accomplish a smooth recording experience..Or is windows 7 capable of making this happen with propperly configured software????

O.k Now I should be 100% clear if anyone chimes in thanks for putting up with me one more time and thanks again for you guys that has replied...

If you want the best quality out of your sounds, then you really can't do without a dedicated interface and proper, XLR mics. But if you're just wanting to get sounds down into some kind of demo format, where quality doesn't matter a whole bunch, USB mics and whatever will be fine.
You can still have the best quality in MIDI however. As MIDI is a very basic thing for the computer, it's very cheap to get a USB adapter for your MIDI keyboard, or even MIDI keyboards which already come as USB capable. The quality would then just rely on the plugins you used with it.
Same goes with the EZ Drummer drums. They work by use of MIDI and trigger some samples. So the quality is in the samples. You really don't need to spend $400 to get a good interface though. I'm sure there are plenty of interfaces with at least 2 mic inputs that you could get for $100-150. Even one of those could significantly change the quality of it all.

 

[Michael Mason]

Absolutely man. Firewire is being phased out. Can't even find a laptop with them anymore. My new MOBO for the i7 doesn't have one either.

I run an older Tascam US1641 via the USB 3.0 port on my newest desktop. Same when I had the old dual core dell, that I added the PCIe card to. Absolutely no connection problems. The Dell however, did have a buttload of problems regarding bloatware and use of the AMD dual core processor. I finally got it setup to run fairly well, then the hard drive crashed during a session. I vowed to never have that happen again, so I built a monster PC for about $1200, including RAID1 setup, so I don't have to go through the nightmare of installing/registering all my software again. Also added an external audio drive, as well as an addition external to back up the other. Nothing sucks worse than losing files due to a drive crash. Well, maybe not having an interface work properly. :/ That has been easy for me since I figured out the USB communication problem. Even a wireless mouse, can mess with a USB interface connection. USB is pretty much a one purpose gateway, when involving streaming audio. Firewire could candle more at once, but no better as far as quality of signal.

USB 2.0 is where the interface manufacturers are at now. I haven't even heard of a USB 3.0 interface yet. Probably because there isn't a reason for it as of now. 16 individual tracks at once, works perfectly for me at this point. Not sure that USB 2.0 cant handle more. Keep in mind, that USB 1.0 can, as far as I know, only do 2 tracks at once. Sometimes, reviews and conversations about USB, can be confused with the older version.

USB2.0 interface, adequate multi core CPU, a separate audio drive, optimize your PC for recording, and delegated USB controller for the interface, will get you running smooth. On my current system, I can record new tracks, to a 40+ track project, with a buttload of VST's, as well as VSTi's, with less than 8ms of latency, while monitoring from my DAW (Cubase 6). I never have problems anymore. Life is good!

I don't know that Firewire is necessarily being phased out. It speaks volumes that instead of adding USB 3 to the new iMacs, they kept 4 USB 2, a firewire, and added a thunderbolt connection. The I/O makers certainly have embraced USB, though.

While I see tremendous advantages to using thunderbolt, i don't see too many advantages to using USB, other than EVERY computer has a USB port.

The only issue is that certain USB 3 devices absolutely need a powered hub in order to work under OSX. I purchased one for school, thing worked great on the iMacs at school, but bring it home and it doesn't work on mine. There's a known issue with the hard drive not being able to draw power from what is allocated to it from the USB bus.

If you already have a firewire connection on your computer or are getting an 8x or 16x interface, go with Firewire. BUT if all you're getting is a little 2x2 or 4x4, USB will be fine. Or if you can wait a year, thunderbolt.

 

[Telegram Sam]

I mean with the new features on windows 7 and all this memory I have on this machine With ASIO it seems verry possible..,

1.I mean if I wanted a guitar track or 2..Then I could just use Guitar rig with the usb connection.No soundcard needed ...Correct?..

2.If I need drums I can use EZ.edit them mix them.Correct..

3.If I need vocals(mic) then I can see where I would need Innys and outtys..But what if I have a usb mic.Then that should be good to go,Correct?..

4. NOW mixdown and playback..I get a lot of pops and stuff in Sonar..I'm using ASIO software...This is why I asked the question in the first place..Is this my software settings or is it because I need a 400.00 interface and ditch the onboard sound to solve the issue..

Hi Randy,

A good interface is the traffic signal between the real and digital world, but in your case you don’t have to spend anywhere near $400.

I used to have a small recording studio some years ago and sold it all to do other things. When I got back into the hobby I decided to use my computer for a couple of reasons that relate to your questions.

I'm a one man show like yourself and I see your dilemma. I particularly keyed in on the point that you mentioned some posts back that you would be especially happy if you could make a really good demo. Nowadays with computers that is a perfectly attainable goal.

I want to record as much direct as I can to reduce extraneous noise. In the old days, even the tape that amateurs used had noise (hiss) that added up as you added tracks. This along with cumulative noise bleeding into mic'd instruments in a typical household recording room caused the results to be sometimes less than desirable quality.

So, you are right, for me, drums are vst - no interface, same with synths. My guitar has to be plugged in. Does Guitar Rig play itself? It needs an actual guitar to trigger it, right?
You can fake guitar with a keyboard, but it doesn’t sound like guitar. Same thing with base, I bought a cheap base guitar, because it sounds like a base guitar and none of the fancy synths I own can even come close. You don’t have to have vocals or guitar tracks, and you can always use synth base, but it limits your variety, which is key. So it’s like cooking. The most important thing to take from this is versatility. If you want to create some nice food it helps if you can have many different ingredients and cooking utensils at your disposal. Making a soufflé takes a lot. But, for example, all you need to cook eggs are eggs, some kind of oil, a pan, a heat source and maybe some salt and pepper. Eggs and soufflés are both good, but it depends very much on the cook, too.

I bought a Sapphire 2i2 interface because I'm never going to plug in more than one thing at a time any way and I am never going to output more than 2 (stereo out).
It's only $150, and it does a great job. I'm not pushing the Sapphire either, there are other brands that do the same thing in the same price range. I'm pushing the fact that you can get the interface for your studio for $150, and for your purposes there is absolutely no reason that you would need to spend more.

Now if you are using ASIO, the interface is only going to give you a couple of important features. The ASIO Software is the actual Audio Engine, it takes the digital information and lays it down in the tracks. Important: Your computer has to be “up to snuff” in order for this to happen, interface or not. This is where your pops are coming from…

The interface is the intersection between the outside world and your computer. It is a switch box with a digital to analogue converter. Mine 2 has inputs (the 2i2 will accept guitar chords, and mic chords), and phantom power (if you ever get a nice mic that needs it).

BIG DEAL: It has adjustable gain on the inputs (this means that you can adjust the level of what is going into your computer so that it is not too ‘hot” (which causes distortion of your signal), or too low, which results in signals that are difficult to mix. I consider this feature to be essential. I don’t think the recording software I have even has a provision for this. I think it assumes that I am giving it a good signal in the first place (it sure tells me if I am not! )

It has a headphone jack, so you can listen to what is coming out of it and going into your computer (this is great for troubleshooting and tracing signal path). It has a USB out where the digital signal enters your computer. It has two outputs where you can connect easily to your home stereo for listening to you work.

You mentioned USB mic. Yes, you can use a USB mic, but for the time being 99% of mics are not USB, and USB’s are considered toy-like. A good mic does not have to be expensive, but there is so much more variety available, I couldn’t limit myself to a USB mic. For this reason, I think you need a mic input. Don’t get a USB mic.

For yourself, being on a budget like all of us, just get what you need as you need it. And, being on a budget, you want each piece to be as versatile as possible. I don’t use any piece of equipment that I don’t need at the moment. I only use my interface if I need to plug something in. In your case I would start out recording VST. The interface is one of your next acquisitions. If you think that you need to plug ANYTHING into your computer, get the interface. If you want to go out of your computer and into your stereo to listen (monitor), get the interface. If you decide that you are going to record vocals, get the interface. You might even be able to borrow a mic or guitar or some-such from a friend for free.