Recording MIDI parts using SoundFonts into a 24-bit project

[ElSilva]

Anyone have a good technique for getting parts written in MIDI and using SoundFonts into a 24-bit project? In 24-bit mode, I can use my Delta 66, but my Creative Audigy becomes automatically disabled by Sonar. In order to record my MIDI/SoundFont parts to WAV files, I am first setting Sonar to 16-bit mode, enabling the Audigy drivers, and then restarting Sonar. Then I archive every track I'm not using, turn off all realtime effects, and record each MIDI track at a time to an audio track (a WAV file). If I don't archive and disable effects, sometimes the audio drops out, even when just recording a single track. When done, I switch back to 24-bit mode, restart Sonar, and continue.

I'm new to MIDI and SoundFonts, but my theory is that since the SoundFonts I'm using are built with 16-bit wav files anyway, I'm probably doing the healthiest thing here. With my current procedure I am assuming I'm staying entirely in the digital realm, allowing the Audigy to record its own SoundFont output.

I considered feeding the Audigy out into the Delta in, but that would result in an unnecessary trip from digital to analog to digital again.

Opinions/advice?

Thanks,

ElSilva

 

[Jim Y]

I had heard that the Audigy could work at 24bit but this is faked and is actually 16bit. Obviously, it doesn't fool Sonar. Does the Audigy have a control panel/properties thing where you can select 24bit mode? I'm sure I saw a review that tested it's 24bit capability and that's where they found it was only 16bit samples sent in a 24bit stream.
You don't say which o/s you're running. If it's 98SE then of course you won't have the Audigy audio available in which case you should really consider moving up to at least WinME in order to get WDM drivers.
I wouldn't worry about feeding the soundfont via the analog ports. You're no worse off than if you were using an external midi synth. In any case, the Audigy resamples anything not recorded at 48khz so the soundfonts are not in pristine condition when you hear them anyway.

 

[Lord Wan]

Maybe you could use LiveSynth Dxi when it's time to record your midi tracks... then you won't need to switch Sonar's bit depth.

 

[audiohead]

Look, I have a similar setup (Audiophile plus SBLive). SBLive is connected to AP via SPDIF to play soundfonts. I disable SBLive audio drivers since I don't need them anyway. The only limitation of this setup is that AP's clock is fixed at 48 kHz, but that doesn't bother much me since I don't plan to migrate to 96 kHz any time soon. This approach gives me more freedom and less pain in the butt, plus it enables me to stay in the digital domain.

ah