My soundcard.

[NLAlston]

Hello all,

I just recently purchased a new computer, which is an HP Pavilion a620n. It is an AMD Athlon 3200+ (2.20GHz processor w/ 512MB memory). My question is in regards to anyone being familiar with the soundcard. All that I can find is that it is a Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA card. Nothing on its features, or capabilities - and it is undoubtedly integrated.

Now, I also have a SoundBlaster "Live" card here, which had been installed/removed from our old computer before retiring it. Having just purchased SONAR Producer I'd like to know if the "Live" card would be better situated for the program. I am thinking that it would be, but you can never tell, with the advances in technology - and the better components that are likely to be incorporated into computer systems these days. I know that there are better soundcards out there - than the SoundBlaster "Live" - but I won't be able to buy anything else, for a good while, and am hoping that this card (SBLive) will handle the SONAR application for me. Please let me know your feelings.

And THANX.

 

[crankz1]

Yes the Soundblaster would be better than the Realcrap ... I mean Realtek Though you may want to invest in a new more pro-sumer card ... at least a 24 bit card.
I'd also be a little concerned with what drivers are installed for the VIA chipset on the mother board of that HP.
There have been issues with VIA chipsets in DAW's, but many have been ironed out with the latest VIA 4in1 driver set.

 

[NLAlston]

Yes the Soundblaster would be better than the Realcrap ... I mean Realtek Though you may want to invest in a new more pro-sumer card ... at least a 24 bit card.
I'd also be a little concerned with what drivers are installed for the VIA chipset on the mother board of that HP.
There have been issues with VIA chipsets in DAW's, but many have been ironed out with the latest VIA 4in1 driver set.

Hi Crankz1,

And thanks. Yes, I would very much like to be able to upgrade to a more pro-sumer caliber soundcard, but that won't be in the workings for quite a while. As stated earlier, I don't know anything about the integrated soundcard of my computer - other than its name. I have just recently learned that the best drivers are those which rests within the ASIO or WDM category, and hope that there isn't to be a negative issue by marrying my SBLive card to this HP CPU. I guess that it wouldn't hurt anything, to give it a shot, and I am about to enter that area in just a moment. By the way, what are a couple of very good pro-sumer soundcards (in your opinion) that you could direct me to? I'd just like to check some out, to get an idea as to how much pocket-digging would be warranted for obtaining one.

Thankx again.

 

[crankz1]

That would all depend on your needs .... such as how many inputs you require.
At any rate here are a few to look at to give you an idea of some of the ones that are out there.
As far as your Realtek .... it is basically junk, specially the Mic In. I've got the same thing on my main recording machine (though it's been disabled in the BIOS of the Main Board) I use a MOTU 828mkII ... not likely the level of gear you will be requiring at the moment, but an option none the less.
You shouldn't have any issues with having the SB Live in the box with the internal sound chip. You will however need to let Windows know which audio device you intend to use as the primary device. Though you can also disable the internal and use the SB Live solely.
I'm not going to speculate as to whether or not you know how to go about letting Windows know what card you intend to use or how to disable the Realtek, as I don't want to insult your intelligence. If, on the other hand, you require any further assistance ..... Feel free to post your queries.
I'll help the best I can.

-Ken

 

[NLAlston]

I'm not going to speculate as to whether or not you know how to go about letting Windows know what card you intend to use or how to disable the Realtek, as I don't want to insult your intelligence. If, on the other hand, you require any further assistance ..... Feel free to post your queries.
I'll help the best I can.

-Ken

Ken,

I appreciate your stand, regarding the above, and it speaks volumes about you. But I don't have a problem with the revelation of my possible ignorance over something. I consider myself a pretty intelligent individual, but my knowledge does not extend into all areas - and computers is one of those areas which leaves me with somewhat of a deficit. To disable an integrated sound card, I believe that I must journey to the 'Device Manager', enter the 'sound device' area and check the disable box. If I am incorrect in this, please forward to me the proper procedure for effectuating said task.

Thanks, also, for the links to those soundcards. I haven't checked them out yet, but will do so before long. I will also take a peek at the one you have. As I am a one-man operation, here, I shouldn't have need for too many inputs. Also, I am not working with a whole lot of external gear. All that I have is my MotifES7 and my AW16g.

You've been extremely helpful, Ken - and I do REALLY appreciate you.

 

[NLAlston]

Ken, I just completed the installation process of my SBLive card. When I looked into the Device Manager I found that the only reference to a sound device was to my SBLive. Somehow, this card must have automatically knocked the integrated one out. I've not known this to happen before, have you? I mean, the only experience that I had - with this kind of thing - is when I installed the SBLive card into our old Gateway computer. I then had to disable its integrated soundcard in the manner that I'd earlier described.

 

[crankz1]

Yes the device manager is the next best method of disabling the onboard sound device, second to a possible option of being able to disable it via the system BIOS.
Accessing the BIOS is done during initial system startup, prior to Windows booting, via a particular keystroke.
Not all BIOS's are accessed via one specific keystroke, but normally you are prompted to press a certain key during startup if you want to access setup (the BIOS). Then it's a matter of browsing through the BIOS for an option to disable the Realtek. Most likely found under a dialog for PCI device setup or something of that nature. Not all BIOS's are created equally, so it would be hard for me to say whether and or where that option would exist.
You can elect to just leave the Realtek well enough alone and set the SB Live as the default device by navigating to ..... control panel/sound and audio devices ..... There you will be presented with a series of 5 tabs.
The ones you will be concerned with are "Audio" and "Voices". Under these two tabs you will select the "SBLive! Audio [E000]" as the default device (with the exception of MIDI ... being whatever you choose for MIDI playback). Also under the "Audio" tab there is a check box to "Use only the default devices" ... checking that is optional, as you can theoretically use both audio devices inputs (giving you two stereo/four mono inputs), but chances are you would end up with sync issues between the different inputs during multitrack recording.
Hope this helps some.

-Ken

P.S. I appreciate the appreciation .... but that's why I'm here. I enjoy helping when I can.

 

[crankz1]

Ken, I just completed the installation process of my SBLive card. When I looked into the Device Manager I found that the only reference to a sound device was to my SBLive. Somehow, this card must have automatically knocked the integrated one out. I've not known this to happen before, have you? I mean, the only experience that I had - with this kind of thing - is when I installed the SBLive card into our old Gateway computer. I then had to disable its integrated soundcard in the manner that I'd earlier described.

The SBLive may have automatically made the selection of "using only the default devices", thus in effect disabling the onboard audio in the device manager.
Just speculation, as I can't be certain. Good to hear it went smoothly for you.