Latency; Sound Card Advice Needed!

[ashs35]

I got a new computer 2 weeks ago which is a Dell that has a Conexant sound card, there is massive latency on the line in, so much so that I decided to get a 'SoundBlaster Play' (USB external sound card), but am still getting latency when I am recording. There is no latency when I am just playing the guitar through the computer speakers, but when I record, it records with latency, so am wondering if anyone knows, if I were to get a sound card that plugs into a PCI slot, would that solve the problem?, and if so would one that costs $30 work as well as the ones that are worth over $100? Anyone had the same issue before?

 

[Sloan]

You need a real deal Firewire/USB2 AUDIO INTERFACE.

 

[LiberaScientia]

You need a real deal Firewire/USB2 AUDIO INTERFACE.

Pretty much this. You're not going to be able to record anything worth a shit without one.

 

[ashs35]

A bit out of my price range I'm afraid, I'm wanting to know what the cheapest possible solution to this problem is.

 

[The StabbinCabin]

Used M-Audio Audiophile pci card or an Audiobox, Presonus or Focusrite usb interface are all under $100 if you look. Other than that- no. You'd be wasting money.

 

[ashs35]

Used M-Audio Audiophile pci card or an Audiobox, Presonus or Focusrite usb interface are all under $100 if you look. Other than that- no. You'd be wasting money.

What about this: http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/41443_Creative_Sound_Blaster_16BIT_5_1_VX.aspx At what point do you know it's too cheap and wouldn't work? Is there a way to tell by its specifications?

 

[LiberaScientia]

What about this: http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/41443_Creative_Sound_Blaster_16BIT_5_1_VX.aspx At what point do you know it's too cheap and wouldn't work? Is there a way to tell by its specifications?

No. Just no. You need an actual audio interface. They're made to run with the ASIO drivers, which decreases latency a shit ton. Not to mention the fact that the quality of the signal is greatly degraded if you use a regular soundcard like that, as opposed to an interface. If you can't afford $75 for a decent used interface, then you should wait until you can. It's not that it's too cheap. It's just that it's a whole different product. It's like if you wanted a bass, but instead, got a baritone guitar and tuned it down an octave. Sure, it'll just about do the job, but that's not the point.

 

[ashs35]

No. Just no. You need an actual audio interface. They're made to run with the ASIO drivers, which decreases latency a shit ton. Not to mention the fact that the quality of the signal is greatly degraded if you use a regular soundcard like that, as opposed to an interface. If you can't afford $75 for a decent used interface, then you should wait until you can. It's not that it's too cheap. It's just that it's a whole different product. It's like if you wanted a bass, but instead, got a baritone guitar and tuned it down an octave. Sure, it'll just about do the job, but that's not the point.

So what's the difference between a sound card and an audio interface? why is one able to record audio in real-time and the other not? My previous computer was actually able to do this and I didn't need to install anything, & it was half the price of my new fancy Dell computer, the only difference is that it had a Realtek sound card and this one's got a Conexant, which doesn't seem to be able to record audio in real-time, or even play it back without latency.

 

[LiberaScientia]

So what's the difference between a sound card and an audio interface? why is one able to record audio in real-time and the other not? My previous computer was actually able to do this and I didn't need to install anything, & it was half the price of my new fancy Dell computer, the only difference is that it had a Realtek sound card and this one's got a Conexant, which doesn't seem to be able to record audio in real-time, or even play it back without latency.

It's the fact that an interface has better quality inputs and in some cases, preamps, which means the quality of the signal is not affected. If you have a bad quality signal, you will have a bad quality recording, period. Technically an interface IS a soundcard, but it's a soundcard specialised for recording purposes. Either way, you need one to record a decent signal, simple as that.

Check out this thread, should be helpful to you.

 

[ashs35]

It's the fact that an interface has better quality inputs and in some cases, preamps, which means the quality of the signal is not affected. If you have a bad quality signal, you will have a bad quality recording, period. Technically an interface IS a soundcard, but it's a soundcard specialised for recording purposes. Either way, you need one to record a decent signal, simple as that.

Check out this thread, should be helpful to you.

So it's not exactly the computer interpreting the audio signal wrong, which causes the latency, it's the audio signal coming from the device (Sound Blaster) not being strong enough?

I found this thing any way, looks like it would do the trick. https://www.storedj.com.au/products/BEH-UCA202

 

[hurdy]

Proper audio interfaces are designed for recording sound/music. Sound cards are not designed for recording high quality sound
They are designed more for gaming, internet chat and listening to multimedia, etc.
I would stay away from Behringer products IMO
So did you check out that thread that Twistedrock pointed you to?
And no one said anything about the signal not being strong enough (I dont know why you relate signal strength to latency??)
A strong signal is not going to help latency, they are not related in any way
He said a "Decent signal" (In which he meant a "GOOD QUALITY SIGNAL")

 

[Ericlingus]

you can get a presonus audiobox for 100 bucks at guitar center. Heck maybe those cheap behringer ones for like 40 dollars would be better than nothing.

 

[RedDog]

So it's not exactly the computer interpreting the audio signal wrong, which causes the latency, it's the audio signal coming from the device (Sound Blaster) not being strong enough?

I found this thing any way, looks like it would do the trick. https://www.storedj.com.au/products/BEH-UCA202

No. Your PCI bus sound card bites into your operating system, and the kernel is a sort of layer between you and the sound files on your computer. This is where a lot of latency comes from, as the audio process is already a background function. Proper Audio Interfaces are specially designed to handle multiple inputs and outputs AS WELL AS operate to ASIO standards (Look it up) which, if you haven't looked it up by now, are many times faster and streamlined for monitoring with latencies @ or around ~8ms or so with a fast processor.

It's like trying to move in a civic. You can supe-up the engine all you want, but that little fucker won't hold a candle to a big-ass u-haul.

Also, the preamp designs in consumer sound cards are pretty much shit. The AD/DA conversion is the main reason interfaces are the prime example of why you should get one. Don't cheap out. Save your money. Get a mobilepre or something. It's all in the drivers, and your conexant literally cannot process the kind of thing you want it to. At all. Period.

And as a side note, if it's under a hundred bucks, new? it's

"too cheap and won't work."

 

[ashs35]

No. Your PCI bus sound card bites into your operating system, and the kernel is a sort of layer between you and the sound files on your computer. This is where a lot of latency comes from, as the audio process is already a background function. Proper Audio Interfaces are specially designed to handle multiple inputs and outputs AS WELL AS operate to ASIO standards (Look it up) which, if you haven't looked it up by now, are many times faster and streamlined for monitoring with latencies @ or around ~8ms or so with a fast processor.

It's like trying to move in a civic. You can supe-up the engine all you want, but that little fucker won't hold a candle to a big-ass u-haul.

Also, the preamp designs in consumer sound cards are pretty much shit. The AD/DA conversion is the main reason interfaces are the prime example of why you should get one. Don't cheap out. Save your money. Get a mobilepre or something. It's all in the drivers, and your conexant literally cannot process the kind of thing you want it to. At all. Period.

And as a side note, if it's under a hundred bucks, new? it's

So you don't think this would work? https://www.storedj.com.au/products/BEH-UCA202 Behringer usually are cheaper but do have some good equipment for the price.

 

[hurdy]

i thought you wanted advice????
he just said that if its under $100 brand new, its too cheap and won't work

 

[RedDog]

So you don't think this would work? https://www.storedj.com.au/products/BEH-UCA202 Behringer usually are cheaper but do have some good equipment for the price.

You'd be whistling a different tune if you used behringer more often. Really though, they suck.

 

[hurdy]

You'd be whistling a different tune if you used behringer more often. Really though, they suck.

^ This, behringer is lowest of the lowest.
Save up another $50 and get sumthing that is actually going to do what you want. Patience will pay off in the end

 

[lanky noob]

That behringer also doesn't have an xlr input (or at least I don't see one), which might not be a problem now, but if you ever want to record through a microphone and actually get an amp tone, you'll be back to square one and unable to do it.

Seriously, save up more and get either this: http://www.thomann.de/gb/presonus_audiobox_22vsl.htm?sid=15e38cba63de7f82e472e064950f6f78

Or at the very least, this http://www.gak.co.uk/en/alesis-io-2-express/33299?gclid=COmNx5ad2LMCFaTMtAodvncABw (I use the io2, and it has some latency issues, but turning logic off and back on again does the trick. Plus it only happens when i'm recording direct and using ampsims that take up a shitload of cpu. That said, it looks like they've updated the model, so maybe the latency issues are gone now)

 

[Kellii]

I recently had really bad latency problems with a new computer running windows 7. A driver on the disk for the Motherboard software was conflicting with a system driver.

If you have latency problems try using this http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon and http://www.thesycon.com/deu/latency_check.shtml to find out if you have any latency problems and driver conflicts.

A lot of peoples suggestions on the thread I asked in where really helpful: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/backline/843408-windows-7-latency-problem.html.

Like everyone said stay away from Behringer products, the are Cheap built and don't sound great.They will break and give you problems.

If you really want a cheap interface try some of the line 6 stuff or save your money and buy something like an M-box, focusrite etc... they will serve you better in the long run.

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

I sold my Audiophile Delta 24/96 not too long ago, for 250kr = ~ 36$..
It's not a bad card for the price, you should definatly check for used cards..

If you want to record audio without latency and/or other issues, you need a ASIO-capable hardware, internal or external..
Easiest way is to get hardware that has preamps etc, that can handle your needs straight away..

You said you got a Dell, before you add anything inside it, check for warranty-issues.. so you don't break the warranty by opening it up..
If that's the case, then external hardware would be the way to go..

No matter how much you want the cheapest, possible and easiest (seemingly) way to work.. and how much you try to argue about how it could maybe sorta kinda work.. you should save up for a month or two, or three.. so you can buy something proper..