Sound Cards For Realtime Uploading

[TECsBrain]

My computer has AC'97 on board sound For the longest time, I wondered WHY my recordings sounded like crap and had no "stereo advantage" -- I looked real closely at Audacity and realized that both L and R channels were EXACTLY the same...so I did an ol' switcheroo in back, so now I encode through my line in instead of mic in, which I think only picks up one channel.

The problem is, the nature of some of my recordings (moving vehicles) requires that I use my pre-amp in "-20db" mode because every bump overloads my mics (I think that's the problem). If this damned device didn't always jump into auto rec level every time I hit stop, it wouldn't be so bad, but I just can't be bothered fumbling with all the buttonry to get back in manual and pick an appropriate sound level. Also, the suggested RS volume attenuator does no good (*flushes $7 down the drain).

I'm really talking about two separate problems now, but the one I want to solve first is getting a better sound card. Later on, I'll post audio samples of what happens with bumps and see if anyone can help, but the solution to that problem would probably need a new sound card anyway.

[TECsBrain]

Did a little research and toyed around using my preamp with line-in. Works. Do they make sound cards that can amplify a line input to line level?

[dex Otaku]

Um. Amplify a line input to line level?

Chances are, if you used the record level control for the line-in on your sound card the problem would be fixed.

AC97 itself is only a standard to ensure that the sound device supports certain functions. It isn't [AFAIK] an assurance of quality. In this sense, it may make sense to upgrade to a higher-quality sound card.

kurisu often recommends the Chaintech AV710, which is inexpensive, supports true 24-bit sound, and has an optical output to boot.

Still, using the level controls might fix your problem until you decide that updating your hardware is worth it.

[TECsBrain]

Makes no sense, does it? :-)

I have to record things through my preamp in its "-20db " setting, and then sort of re-wire the configuration when I "upload" -- reverse wires and switch it to "+20db" and then pop the sucker into my line in. This is what I don't feel like doing if its at all preventable -- all this connection and reconnection...one day I'm gonna leave a wire behind and not be able to record.

Incidentally, what makes the Chaintech AV710 better than any other sound card? I don't doubt that it is a good product, but what quality would I be looking for if I wanted to find some choices? I don't care about output because that's coming FROM the MD--what I care about is high-quality INPUT.

Edited February 15, 2005 by TECsBrain

[dex Otaku]

I have to record things through my preamp in its "-20db " setting, and then sort of re-wire the configuration when I "upload" -- reverse wires and switch it to "+20db" and then pop the sucker into my line in.  This is what I don't feel like doing if its at all preventable -- all this connection and reconnection...one day I'm gonna leave a wire behind and not be able to record.

Incidentally, what makes the Chaintech AV710 better than any other sound card?  I don't doubt that it is a good product, but what quality would I be looking for if I wanted to find some choices?  I don't care about output because that's coming FROM the MD--what I care about is high-quality INPUT.

←

I was talking about the input. These cards apparently average about $20USD, have 24 bit RECORDING with good response and snr, &c.

In any case - why are you bothering to go through all that? Why not just run the line straight from your MD to the line in of your sound card?

There's no reason why you should be having to pad and then amp the signal again. All you're doing is adding noise and distortion to it by going through your preamp.

It might seem inconvenient, but a direct connection is always the best way to go.

[TECsBrain]

It would be more convenient, actually, to go straight through line in because I can just keep a cable coming out of it to my desk. I moved my TV card over to mic in because I don't really care about its sound quality.

The problem is, since I have to use the -20db on the preamp to record, if I played back directly the file is too quiet...so, I have to use the preamp in reverse to put the 20db back so I can actually do something with the recording.