AlChuck
Well-known member
Maybe you can explain what you mean by that last sentence (in the part I quoted) and one of us can help clear it up?
Maybe you can explain what you mean by that last sentence (in the part I quoted) and one of us can help clear it up?
camn
Active member
There is really no reason to prefer an 1/8" jack over a 1/4" jack if you have a fixed installation. (except that a big jack means a better card...)
That is, if you get everything wired up and leave it.. sonically its pretty much the same thing.
xoox
That is, if you get everything wired up and leave it.. sonically its pretty much the same thing.
xoox
M
md_gis
New member
hmmm
Yeah, I guess there is no reason for the 1/8" jack to be seen as substandard, except that all my other stuff uses 1/4". I think I'm going to go with the RCA-1/8" converter route, and try that, since the 1/4" headphone output from my Tascam has kind of a shaky volume pot...
As far as what I meant, the following sentence on homerecording.com confused me:
"Well, guess what, 98% of the time there's a MIDI interface hidden in this connector. You need a special $20-or-so joystick-to-MIDI conversion cable to access it, but then you can hook up keyboards and all kinds of stuff right to your sound card."
It's in the FAQ section on soundcards. When they say you can hook up keyboards and all kinds of stuff, that makes it sound like more than just MIDI. Is maybe a Midiman the answer here? I know that's more than $20, but if it would help me make the most of what I got, maybe it'd be worth it. Or maybe if I'm willing to go there, I should just get a better soundcard, huh? I think if the RCA thing doesn't work I'll give up and get a new soundcard.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Yeah, I guess there is no reason for the 1/8" jack to be seen as substandard, except that all my other stuff uses 1/4". I think I'm going to go with the RCA-1/8" converter route, and try that, since the 1/4" headphone output from my Tascam has kind of a shaky volume pot...
As far as what I meant, the following sentence on homerecording.com confused me:
"Well, guess what, 98% of the time there's a MIDI interface hidden in this connector. You need a special $20-or-so joystick-to-MIDI conversion cable to access it, but then you can hook up keyboards and all kinds of stuff right to your sound card."
It's in the FAQ section on soundcards. When they say you can hook up keyboards and all kinds of stuff, that makes it sound like more than just MIDI. Is maybe a Midiman the answer here? I know that's more than $20, but if it would help me make the most of what I got, maybe it'd be worth it. Or maybe if I'm willing to go there, I should just get a better soundcard, huh? I think if the RCA thing doesn't work I'll give up and get a new soundcard.
Thanks for everyone's help.
AlChuck
Well-known member
"...but then you can hook up keyboards and all kinds of stuff right to your sound card."
Yeah, I can see why it's confusing. It's true, it's just that it assumes that you know that MIDI interfaces handle MIDI data only, and that MIDI is only a communications protocol between compliant devices and does not include any audio signal, analog or digital. The "keyboards and all kinds of stuff" in this context means that the computer can receive MIDI messages from a keyboard, and send MIDI messages to the keyboard or to a drum machine, a sound module, a multieffects processor (most allow progam changes and some parameter control through MIDI messages), even light boxes and tape recorders if they can read MIDI Machine Control messages. But all that this MIDI information does is tell devices what to turn on and off, how much to turn a control, and not much else.
Yeah, I can see why it's confusing. It's true, it's just that it assumes that you know that MIDI interfaces handle MIDI data only, and that MIDI is only a communications protocol between compliant devices and does not include any audio signal, analog or digital. The "keyboards and all kinds of stuff" in this context means that the computer can receive MIDI messages from a keyboard, and send MIDI messages to the keyboard or to a drum machine, a sound module, a multieffects processor (most allow progam changes and some parameter control through MIDI messages), even light boxes and tape recorders if they can read MIDI Machine Control messages. But all that this MIDI information does is tell devices what to turn on and off, how much to turn a control, and not much else.
A Midiman MIDI interface -- I assume that's what you mean -- will only add another MIDI port (or a couple of ports, for the more expensive models) to your PC; it still only allows your computer to send and receive MIDI messages. That's what MIDI is. Getting another MIDI interface can't change that fact.
Why? If there's a reason to get a better sound card -- the number one reason probably being more and better analog/digital converters -- then by all means. But to buy one with a MIDI interface in the hopes that being "better" makes the MIDI interface magically pass digital audio data around -- well, forget it, it can't happen. It's like buying a better car and then expecting the car to also be a submarine.
M
md_gis
New member
submarines ain't all bad
Thanks, AlChuck. I'm starting to understand more now, and I'm glad you agree that the quoted statment is confusing. And yes, if I got a new soundcard it would be for better audio interfaces and preamps/etc - basically so I could hook up 1/4" and XLR without going through the mixer. I already have a MIDI interface! Don't need me another one o them. I'm also glad you told me the Midiman isn't the answer for me - that would've been a waste o cash!
But in any case, I finally got my 1/8" input to work the way I want, so I'm good for the time being. It's far from the best, but it serves my purpose, which is all I'm interested in right now. Thanks again for your help and patience.
Thanks, AlChuck. I'm starting to understand more now, and I'm glad you agree that the quoted statment is confusing. And yes, if I got a new soundcard it would be for better audio interfaces and preamps/etc - basically so I could hook up 1/4" and XLR without going through the mixer. I already have a MIDI interface! Don't need me another one o them. I'm also glad you told me the Midiman isn't the answer for me - that would've been a waste o cash!
But in any case, I finally got my 1/8" input to work the way I want, so I'm good for the time being. It's far from the best, but it serves my purpose, which is all I'm interested in right now. Thanks again for your help and patience.
AlChuck
Well-known member
No sweat. Glad it's working for you. Have fun!
R
RWhite
Well-known member
So Diva, did you ever get your mic and mixer? Just wondering how it worked out....
C
ceprecord
New member
You should get another card, strictly for audio and use the soundblaster for midi. If you can't, Musicians Friend has higher end mikes with 1/8 in. plugs, for just your purpose.
They are about $100-$150 I think. Good Luck
They are about $100-$150 I think. Good Luck