recording with AC 97 chip?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deen
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Deen

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I don't want to sound like the lowest form of life
in this forum, but what are the specific downsides
to using that dreaded onboard audio chip for recording
home demos. Has anybody stuck with this path and
experienced satisfactory results. Any links to this topic?

Thanks.
 
For one thing, your likely to get more crackels and pops than a bag of Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn from that thing. The cheapest of cheap PCI cards will give you better performance than that.

No offense, but sticking with that isn't anywhere near a viable option recording anytype of audio. Will it work? Yes. Will it sound like poop? Yes. Can you get something better for $20? Yes.

I would definitely not recommend using the AC'97 for any kind of audio unless you want simliar quality to a radioshack tape recorder in a bathroom.

Then again, at least you had the courage to ask the question and there is nothing wrong with that. Welcome to the board and hope you stick around since there is a plethora of free information at your disposal.
 
reply

Thanks for replying EvilDick,

I guess it's time to save for an audiophile.
 
would be a good idea. I got good results with an ensoniq PCI card once, and they are really cheap...course it was the original ensoniq and not the creative,
 
You could just play around with it for now. It will help give you a frame of reference for a better soundcard in terms of what you hope to achieve.

Once you record using the AC '97, you can start asking yourself how do I get rid of this and that. It doesn't cost a bundle to get a decent homerecording card. Ethan Winer on this board can testify to the great results he has achieved with a Soundblaster Live! as well as an Audigy card.

I would recommend going cheap for now and then once you really get into it, then spend more money.
 
Hey Evildick,

I will follow your advice 100%. Like Bdgr said it's good advice.
I'm planning on getting a Live to get me started. And then
maybe later on an Audiophile if I'm still not satisfied. About the
AC 97 chip, I'll just use it to learn the software and see what I'd
like in a future card.

Thanks guys.
 
i wouldnt waste my money on a Soundblaster card...it wont be that much better....it will only keep you further away $$$-wise from a real card....believe me i went thru a few $30 card before i realized it wasnt gonna happen....luckily the Audiophile came along at $150.....

if you must get a new card, the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz goes for $49 at Comp USA frequently, is probably the best prosumer card out there, and is actually a 4 input card (well 2 stereo on 1/8", but what do you want for $49).......

anyways, id wait on the Audiophile....the AC97 aint that bad if you go in with a decent mic/preamp into the line input......
 
The problem is not the ac97 chip, its the use of it on the MB. If it is on your pc, just give it a try, you have it on hand! As long as you do not use the mic input, but the line input, some can be just as good as a cheap pci card, even better. It can get you on the way, give you more time to decide what is the right card for you and allow to save a bit for that next solution. Unless of course you need midi, but some even have that on the joystick connector if provided.

My last MB (via epia 800) has such a chip (also via made) and I tested it out of curiosity. It is definitely a lot better than my (old) turtle beach daytona, and (a bit) better than a creative pci128. With a nice flat low noisefloor. It even does 96kHz, but not 24bit.
 
Teacher, Gidge and Havoc,

You guys have had me thinking of the milage I might
get out of an AC 97 until I get enough dough for the Audiophile.
Based on your suggestions it seems there is no need to get
another cheap card as stepping stone before the real deal.
I have yet to try it and will post my results soon.

The noise floor is better than Live Teacher says. That it's
actually a bit better than a PCI 128 said Havoc. This all
sounds very good to me. Since it just might save me some
extra dough. Every cent counts! So I probably will not
get the Live. It's just that it's so damn cheap now. Somebody
please drop the hatchet on me ! Save me from the temptation!
 
As said, give it a try! Start by connecting nothing to it and record a bit of silence. Then take a view of the level you have and the spectrum it shows. If the level is low, and there are no big spikes in a reasonable flat noisefloor, it will be a good starter.

If you don't have soft yet, download the demo of cool edit pro. This will let you do both tests above.
 
the live kicks ass for games. and you can sound fonts. As far as audio quality of a live, youre mileage may vary. I guy I work with recorded his CD via an Audigy and his CD kicks ass. Great reviews in the local papers. So it just goes to show that it's what you do with it that matters.
 
I have the AC97 in my new mobo.Had an ensoniq pci in my old one.I think the AC97 sounds better,so I never bothered throwing the Ensoniq back in.Until I can afford a 24/96 card,the AC97 will be fine.
Just tried using the midi sounds the other night.My god are they awful!!Does anyone know if it's feasable to throw the Ensoniq in,to use for midi,or will that cause a lot of problems?
 
ac97

You can find some addittional info on ac97 codec in an article at Musician's Friend entitled "Roll your own Thunderbird" the built in audio on some mobo perform quite well and have lower noise floors and specs than many sound cards and will perform quite well according to the author.

Beezelbubba, could be that your standard midi sound file is the problem. There are better standard midi sound samples avaliable then what comes with many sound cards.

I don't have personal experience with Terratec but the software that comes with this card makes it interesting compared to the M_Audio card at the same price point of $170.00 +/- just food for thought. I read one review comparing the two and the Terratec got the nod.

You hear alot about mics, I just got a Nady SCM 900 for $70.00. For the money you can not buy a better vocal/multi purpose mic for a home recording setup. It might have just been the luck of the draw with the one I recieved. INMHO if the quality of this make is consistent, this is the mic to buy if you can only afford one.

Keep the faith, Ozlee
:cool:
 
How about the Shure Sm57? Professionals even seem to enjoy using it even though it'll be more for drums and what not...
 
beezelbubba said:
I have the AC97 in my new mobo.Had an ensoniq pci in my old one.I think the AC97 sounds better,so I never bothered throwing the Ensoniq back in.Until I can afford a 24/96 card,the AC97 will be fine.
Just tried using the midi sounds the other night.My god are they awful!!Does anyone know if it's feasable to throw the Ensoniq in,to use for midi,or will that cause a lot of problems?
Click to expand...

I ran my ensoniq(one of the original ones, not the creative with the cheaper ic), in addition to my Delta and my Gadget Labs before that. Worked fine, but when I got my current MB it had onboard sound, so I left it out...
 
SCM 900 verses SM57

Teacher,

I apologize for changing gears in this thread. There are lots of threads covering mics in other forums. The SM 57 is a great mic.

The Nady is a condenser mic requiring phantom power and may not be as good of a choice as the SM 57 for some people starting out doing home recording with thier PC. But I stand by what I said. If you can find this mic for $70 I don't think you will regret it. You will need a shock mount and pop filter as well in my opinion and either a mixer with phantom power or DI that provides it. I plan on buying one more of these mics.

Keep the Faith, Ozlee
 
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