Which sound card works best with n-track?

[guitmartiman]

I recently bought n-track. I have never before used this kind of software for editing my multi-track recordings. I don't know if it's because my built-in sound card is not entirely compatable with the software, but I can't get the pan controls or eq to work. Reverb and volume controls work just fine. Does anyone have an informed opinion as to which sound card works best with this program? I like what the program ought to be able to do, but I can't get it to work properly with my present setup. Thanks!

 

[TimOBrien]

They all work. Sounds like you may not have the right connector for your soundcard (if it's built-in, then it's usually an 1/8" stereo connector.) If you're using mono plugs of course it won't pan.

What are you plugging into it and how do you have everything connected???

 

[guitmartiman]

I'm sorry. I need to be more specific.

I'm not using n-track for recording purposes, only for mixdown. Hense I don't need any connectors. I use my Fostex VF-16 to make the tracks which I then import into n-track. It just seems like certain effects that I try to apply to the tracks don't work, so I'm thinking maybe it's a sound card compatability issue. I know there are several sound cards that Fasoft says will work, I just would like to know which one works best.

 

[crankz1]

It all depends on the effects you are trying to use and what type of tracks you are using them on (ie stereo or mono).

 

[crankz1]

Forgot to mention ..... soundcard is irrelevant, seeing as how you only require the soundcard for playback. As long as it's a stereo card. Most cards or onboard audio chips are stereo and full duplex now days.

 

[guitmartiman]

Okay. I think that might explain it...but wait a minute...

That must be it! I hadn't thought about the possibility that my built in sound card might not support stereo. That would explain why I can't get the pan effects to work! But wait a minute, if that's the case why is it that I can hear other stereo wave files in stereo? Maybe it's just that I don't know how to use the program yet. It seems simple enough. Don't you set the pan parameters pretty much the same way you do volume on different tracks? No matter what I do, I can't seem to get the sound to move off center on any given track.

 

[Toker41]

Have you checked the settings in N-track to make sure you have it set to Stereo playback?

 

[crankz1]

Yes the pan control should pan a mono track in relation to the way you set the pan fader.
Sounds to me like you may have n-Tracks mixer set at mono.
In the photo below I've circled the Stereo/Mono switch .... If in Mono there will be just one circle ... In Stereo, two circles will overlap each other. Click on that switch and see if that solves your problem.

 

[guitmartiman]

That was it!

Sounds to me like you may have n-Tracks mixer set at mono.
.... If in Mono there will be just one circle ... In Stereo, two circles will overlap each other. Click on that switch and see if that solves your problem.

Yes. That was it. Thanks very much. I guess I don't have to buy another sound card after all.