Probably a dumb question about USB.

[5c0tt]

The scene:
I do my recording on a Korg D16 & I use my PC (PIII, 450Mhz, 64RAM) for sequencing my midi parts.
I have a really shitty soundcard (more hiss than signal!!) so I don't use it for any recording.
I've got loads of samples on my PC that I'd like to use on some tracks but I've got no (sonically acceptable) way of getting them to my Korg.

The USB question:
I saw a device in a magazine the other day which I think may the answer for me but I need someone to explain the whole USB thang to me.
The device is basically a USB connection with a short cable which is connected to a small box housing a pair of phono plugs with a 16bit converter inside. (Am I sounding dumb yet??)
If I were to use this, would the signal go anywhere near the sound card or is it the simple & cheap answer to my problem?
Also, is it likely to cause any conflicts with my sequencing set up?
So what's the deal? Flame away.

Scott

 

[LAZI]

I'm assuming you are talking about the EDIROL UA-1 (I think that's it??). I have a laptop i've been trying to use with a EDIROL UA-5 (usb) and it has not been very fun. Since you are going from a device with digital in/out's then your best bet is to use something that can transfer digital signals. This way you won't loose any sound quality from going through the A/D D/A conversion thing to many times. I'd have to suggest, if you're using a desktop, just getting a better internal sound card with digital in's and out's. You can find these for pretty cheap and they will most likely allow at least 24 bit and 48khz.

Edirol also makes a Digtal version of the little blue USB box. It's send 16/44.1 in and out to you computer. That's gotta be better than the D/A to A/D tranfers you are thinking about.

 

[Barometer]

Why not just get a new soundcard or midi interface for your computer?

 

[5c0tt]

Thanks guys. I should have explained- I hope to upgrade my PC next year & would go for a good soundcard then when I have the cash.
I'm really just looking for a (cheap) way of transfering samples to my Korg & maybe transfering the occasional track from the Korg to PC for editing & back again.
I just found the digital Edirol on a site- looks like it may be the way to go- 44.1khz is what the Korg looks for.
Sound quality aside, will the bitrate have any compatability problems with the Korg? As you can probably tell, I'm not very clued up when it comes to digital transfers.
Thanks