SBLive - Midi/Audio Interface?

[Jon Dauber]

I have a Dell "prefab" system that is giving me fits when I try to install my older SBLive Platinum (w/ Live Drive). The Dell came with SBLive 5.1, but I needed to utilize the drive. I've all but given up, and I'm reinstalling the SBLive 5.1. I was getting blue OS error screens, and I've tried everything.

What I'm looking into is getting an external Midi/Audio interface, and I'm wondering what is recommended. I only really need one audio-in and 16 channels of midi, so nothing fancy.

I have a PIV 2.53G, 256Mb, SBLive 5.1 (No midi jacks). Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jon

[Cylkk]

Audiophile usb?
Why does it need to be external?

[Jon Dauber]

Well, I bought an Edirol UA-20. I saw the Audiophile USB, I think, but it was a bit more expensive. I have the option of returning it, though, if it's not what I need.

Why external? I guess because I'm wary of installing anything internally on my PC after all the grief the soundcard gave me.

My question now is, and pardon my ignorance--I'm more musician than technician, the SBLive 5.1 will still be used as the soundcard, right? And I use primarily soundfonts. This interface is not going to take away that option, is it?

I think I need to clone a computer-savvy recording engineer who I can just stash away in my studio.

Thanks again.

[Jon Dauber]

Was it something I said?

[TCONNELLY]

What OS are you using? I use my SB soundcard for soundfonts, DXi's and my "home" uses, like my son's games. I use my other soundcard for audio recording from any external source. I also use a dedicated MIDI device for everything, well, MIDI. I have used midiman devices for years ( we're talkin' 486, windows 3.1, Winman 4x4) and have always had good luck with them. Great for someone who fancies himself a musician, but not necessarily an engineer.

[Bops2000]

I do know that sblive installs funny in win 2000, but it installs.
if you get that far go to website and try stuff, - I sound like real pro here huh?
Another thought is to overwrite directx for the time being with an older version, then get sb stuff up, then append direct x, I appologize for the hack approach but thats how I did it
Boppers
I have an sb live runnining in win 2000 along with an maudio card using cakewalkhs2000/2004 its quirky but it's a can do. 5.1 also has wdm drivers now, but again it's all quirky lol at least for me.
as far as midi, a quick fix would be a midi asapter "roland" all it is is a four channel 'in' midi box probably some circuitry to keep timing intact, this is old stuff... and .. sigh... record one midi atta time

[This message has been edited by Bops2000 (edited 08-06-2003).]

[Jon Dauber]

My fault. I'm running Windows XP Home. I installed the Sounblaster Live Platinum w/ drive, downloaded all updates, drivers, etc. I then start getting blue screen "Kernel" errors. No pattern, but usually when the PC has been running for a few hours. I've had it. I've talked to Dell and Creative--I get what I think is great advice like switching IRQ's and what not. Nothing. Nothing solves the problem.

Now, looking through some posts I see that USB isn't very good transmitting MIDI. Is this true? Cuz I just purchased this Edirol UA-20 for that purpose--plus for audio--because the 5.1 SBLive that I'm reinstalling has no MIDI, and I'm not comfortable with the small audio input on the back.

Thanks for all your responses, by the way.

[TCONNELLY]

MIDI runs fine on USB. I have a Midisport 8x8 that has 8 midi ins and 8 midi outs, and I use 7 of these ports simultaneously no problem. Audio,on the other hand, may be tricky with USB, but I suspect that will soon change now that USB 2.0 is here.

[brzilian]

Originally posted by TCONNELLY:
MIDI runs fine on USB. I have a Midisport 8x8 that has 8 midi ins and 8 midi outs, and I use 7 of these ports simultaneously no problem. Audio,on the other hand, may be tricky with USB, but I suspect that will soon change now that USB 2.0 is here.

USB has timing issues with MIDI. You need to make sure the interface compensates for it.

[jlampson]

Did you get the blue screens before you set up the new hardware? Sounds to me like either a driver issue or most likely bad hardware (memory?) on the computer.

John

[Jon Dauber]

I started getting the blue screens after I switched to my older sound card. I've replaced the original and haven't seen the error since.

How do I know if it's USB 2.0? It's called Edirol AudioCapture UA-20--24 Bit Digital. Anyone know anything about this?

[TCONNELLY]

I have not experienced any timing issues with USB and Midi.Lucky, maybe, but so far so good.
Tim

[TCONNELLY]

Check this out.http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ua20.html At the bottom of the page is a link to compatible USB devices.There it tells you what works with UA-20 and how to figure out what you have in your computer Even if you don't have the proper stuff on your motherboard there are other USB/PCI options.
Tim

[xxstonexx]

It's always hard to know when I'm helping or just stating the obvious in these kinds of forums, but...

When you say that the SBlive has no MIDI ports do you mean it doesn't have the joystick/MIDI port? 15 pin, looks like a serial port? My SBlive has one and I use a $10.00 adapter from a music store and the MIDI works fine. Maybe they make one without the port, but why? They've had those ports on all the SB's I've owned. I hope this is helpful.