Recording on my laptop...help!!!!

[thejakebox]

Hey, I have a Toshiba Satellite 1800 laptop, a very good setup...and have been looking into digital audio recording on it for awhile now. I've been somewhat new to this, so I've been learning as I go...

Anyway, I have been having a lot of trouble finding a recording program and external sound card (connectivity via USB) that are compatible with each other...without spending a ton of money. I bought the Midiman USB Audio Quattro sound card, and have had nothing but trouble finding a recording program that will work with it. (Including Cakewalk Home Studio XL, as well as cracked versions of Cubase 5, SX, and Cool Edit Pro 2.0.) Just so you know, I'm not really into cracked software and burning programs...I was just trying stuff out to see what I should buy. My tech support agent tells me that possibly the reason these cracked programs haven't worked with my Quattro sound card is because they are indeed cracked versions...but then the Cakewalk Home Studio XL (an original program given to me) didn't work with it either.

In any case, it would be awesome to hear from someone who's into laptop recording, and who's been there and knows what they're talking about... What program can I use with my Quattro (that isn't too expensive), or what software/sound card combo would you recommend for my system? Keep in mind I do want quality, but can't spend a lot...so, I'm willing to simply have a card with good sound quality, that only has one stereo input as well as output, 1/4" TRS jacks are mandatory. Direct monitoring is also key. Just so you know, I need an external card for my system, internal isn't an option.

Wow, hope I haven't lost you...)...Thanks to anybody who can give me some answers on this! Hope you're having a great one.

Jake

 

[keilson]

now did Cakewalk Home Studio XL come with your quattro interface? What do you mean by it doesn't work? Have you checked the settings?

 

[thejakebox]

Re:

No, Cakewalk Home Studio XL didn't come with the Quattro...my tech support rep for the Quattro suggested anything from Cakewalk to me, and then the program was given to me a little later...

Anyway, I did check the settings on the program...it's a buffer thing...when I record audio w/ Home Studio XL (using the Quattro), there's a ticking sound throughout the track, whether it's vocals, guitar, or keyboards. And the only way to change that I was told was with the buffer settings...and I despite playing around with it, wasn't able to get the sound to what I needed it to be. I can't adjust the buffer settings with the Quattro, so that didn't help I guess...

Anyway, hope that answers your question...thanks for the reply.

Jake

 

[brzilian]

Re: Re:

No, Cakewalk Home Studio XL didn't come with the Quattro...my tech support rep for the Quattro suggested anything from Cakewalk to me, and then the program was given to me a little later...

Anyway, I did check the settings on the program...it's a buffer thing...when I record audio w/ Home Studio XL (using the Quattro), there's a ticking sound throughout the track, whether it's vocals, guitar, or keyboards. And the only way to change that I was told was with the buffer settings...and I despite playing around with it, wasn't able to get the sound to what I needed it to be. I can't adjust the buffer settings with the Quattro, so that didn't help I guess...

Anyway, hope that answers your question...thanks for the reply.

Jake

You have to actually re-run Wave Profiler every time you make buffer changes.

 

[keilson]

isn't there a control center or somethin where you can adjust these settings. what did the tech guy say about getting sound with a ticking noise? the program was new when you received it? did you try to update at all?

 

[thejakebox]

Re:

No, there's no control center to adjust buffer settings with the Quattro...you're not able to adjust the buffer settings at all with it, actually. As for the Cakewalk program...no, I didn't try updating it...thanks for the thought...the tech support guy for Cakewalk told me that it was strictly a buffer problem, and if I couldn't fix the problem after adjusting the buffer settings w/ Home Studio XL, then I was outta luck.

Thanks again for replying,
Jake