HELLLLLP MEEE PLEEEEZ!!!

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 13:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Lisa,

Did you say you have multiple audio cards? I have to switch from my laptop card to an external card when I record (and I use Cool Edit too). I've never had to mess with settings in CE. However, I do enable/disable the card I'm using at the time. It goes like this:

Go to Control Panel, then System (not Audio Devices--*edit* although that does the same thing but fewer steps *edit*), that will open System Properties window. Select the Hardware tab then click on the Device Manager button. That will bring up another Device Manager window with a list of hardware. I go down to the Sound/Video part which brings up a list of audio components. This is where I select/deselect which card I'm using. In your case, enable whichever card you wish.

Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to get this stuff to work...I went through weeks of it. But after some settings tweaking, I've gotten it to work very well on just a laptop. These steps may work for you--they may not but it sounds similar to what I experienced and this is what I've done to fix it.

Let me know how that goes and check back.

Cheers,
Cameron

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 14:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Lisa, I am convinced it's that whole "Radio Shack" getting it down to a 1/8th thing that is causing your problem. As was previously stated, the Echo Mia is an inexpensive pro sound card that does a good job, or something from M-audio, but PLEASE get a good sound card or interface. Your spinning your wheels.

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 14:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, that too. Lisa, I messed around with a lot of cables. One that didn't work in an initial test, finally worked on a second go around...weird. In my case now, I'm taking a simple Audio/Visual cable (A/V) from the main output on the mixer board into an 1/8" male mine...let's see how this shows up....

(1/8" male mini into audio card) -----< (1/4" main outputs into A/V converter jacks)

Maybe that's a little confusing...just tryin to help.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 14:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Careful there! You are mixing "balanced" pro audio with "unbalanced" consumer audio. That is a sticky wiket. There is no good way to accomplish that without something like a Henry Matchbox ($150) which is money better spent on just getting a pro sound card in the first place that offers balanced audio in.

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 14:56 (GMT) Post subject:

That's about as far as my techical knowledge goes. I can't wait to get a real nice audio card.

Cheers,
Cameron

Victor Harris · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 15:15 (GMT) Post subject:

Lisa, I have read all the evidence and heard all the statements. I am ready to make my judgement...lol.

I know you like the idea of the Yamaha mixer. But first, you really don't need it. What you need is a new interface that will plug right into your computer via USB port or firewire. I'm not sure how much coin you are willing to drop, so go try to find an interface like a M-Audio Fast Track ($100) or MBox2 ($$$). There are others of course. Both of those interfaces have phantom power and XLR plug-ins. Thats really all you need straight into you computer. The rest of the magic takes place with your software for recording and mastering down. You don't need a custom built computer for VO. Honestly, I went right to Walmart and bought my Compaq Presario right off the shelf then stopped at a CompUSA and bought another 1.5 gigs of RAM, threw it in as soon as I got home...and thats it. Been working fine!

The Echo Mia sound card is ok, but I know a few people who have had really bad luck with them. The quality of those can vary from one to another, even though they are all the same. Also, the problem with the Echo Mia is it doesn't have a XLR hook up.

So, to recap: You need a new interface that can connect with your computer via USB port or Firewire. Make sure it has XLR plugs. Once you get it up and running, then you can plug in your mixer.

Wink

Robert Jadah

Brad:
This Oprah thread should probably be elsewhere. We're interrupting great minds at work here.
But thanks for sharing that continuing odyssey.
My thoughts are with you, and especially Kris.
She sounds like a fighter, a winner, and a champion.
Your post was raw and powerful.
Fight On!

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 16:30 (GMT) Post subject:

What Vic says is correct - you need to stop messing with the cheap-o sound card and get an interface that works for what you are doing. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of external devices (USB or Firewire) But I don't have a good, logical reason for that. I prefer a PCI card - but that's just me! Good luck!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 17:23 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm with you Todd on using external vs. PCI. In fact, M-audio has some real nice PCI cards that are pretty reasonable. I don't like sending audio down a USB or FireWire, but many do successfully. I have heard FireWire interfaces jump and spit in the past but I suppose they've fixed that.

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 18:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Good PCI sound card $99 http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU8803

Better (although probably overkill) $199 http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOD1010LT

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 18:28 (GMT) Post subject: USB and Firewire are fine

Most of the pros I know want to leave AD out of the computer and it would appear that both USB and Firewire are reliable methods for sending digital audio in. The problems occur when the computer is used for everything undder the sun and has lots of things like email and virus checkers and other things in its start menu. Alledgedly Vista has been designed from a strong A/V stance and will eliminate many of the problems. The biggest issue know is that many of the high end manufactureres aren't anywhere near distributing drivers for Vista. I have heard that some products seem to work fine with the old drivers, but me - I'm not upgrading til late spring or Summer at the earliest.

By the way, most of the problems associated with laptops simply stem from 2 issues. The hard drive having slow rotation of 4,800 or 5,400 and in many cases no seperate data drive.

My road setup includes an apogee mini-me with USB function and an external 7,200 rotation pocket drive 60 gigs for recording to (firewire) I use the Heil PR 40 and if I'm judidicous in hanging up my clothes right, I can usually create a nice recording environment in most $40 and up hotel rooms. The advantage to the mini me and some of the other (lower priced) m-audio firewire solutions is that they can be used both at home and when travelling.

Allen Scofield · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 19:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Victor Harris · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007, 19:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Allen, I know another guy who loves his too. He uses it for music recording. Just the luck of the draw for a good manufacturing day, I guess...lolol Wink

Jane Morgan · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007, 00:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks to everyone who posted trying to help me figure out how to set up my studio. I've come to the conclusion that after 24 years on the air, I know NOTHING about techinal crap, and I need my own personal engineer! Crying or Very sad

Lisa Zachary-Kent · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007, 01:52 (GMT) Post subject:

YEAH!! What Jane said!! Laughing

Actually....this is great info! I'm about to sit down and start messing with it again. I got a new cord, and if that doesn't work, then I'll try the interface, as suggested by the Honorable Judge Victor Harris. Wink

But YES....I'm spinning my wheels here, and I'm not liking it one bit. But I feel I'm getting close to some traction here with all of your help. Thanks, guys!!!