Problems Connecting to Soundblaster Live

[NolensVolens]

I'm having a problem with connecting my preamp to my soundblaster live line-in. I have a converter to make the connector on the lead fit into the line-in, and it works but I occasionally get drop-outs in the signal, and get it workign again after nudging the connection around a bit. The connection feels very lose to the soundcard too. Anyone else having this problem, and is there a solution?

Would it be worth buying a better soundcard? Would the soundcard improve the quality of my recordings (apart from lower noise)?

thanks.

 

[Track Rat]

Soundblasters are notoriously bad cards. Definately not recording quality. Look into a new card.

 

[NolensVolens]

Thanks for the reply.

Would these cards be ok (within my budget)?

M-Audio Audiophile 2496
E-MU 0404 Digital Audio System

 

[crankz1]

Yes either one of those cards would be better than the Soundblaster.
Many use the AP 24/96 and are pleased with it's results.
I'm a MOTU user myself, but going by others comments on the AP you should do fine with one. The new E-MU lines are getting good reviews also.

 

[TimOBrien]

If you get a signal after nudging the connector around a bit, you either have the wrong size connector, a bad connector or a bad solder joint.

YES you will get much better quality by going to a 24-bit card.

You can still run soundfonts using a soundfont VSTi (I used to use an SBLive with my Echo Mia to run soundfonts, but gave it up when I found the playback of very large soundfonts to be much better with the VSTi.) rgcaudio.com has the free "sfz". I bought and use Bismark's "BS-16". You could also use a sampler like Halion, VSampler, Kontact or Gigastudio that also will import soundfonts and even higher quality sampled instruments.