ASIO Drivers help?

[Flet]

First, are these really the best drivers? (what the heck is a "driver" anyway?)

When someone says "use an ASIO driver", where do I get one? And once I have it, what do I modify to reduce latency?

[stingx]

Originally Posted by Flet

First, are these really the best drivers? (what the heck is a "driver" anyway?)

When someone says "use an ASIO driver", where do I get one? And once I have it, what do I modify to reduce latency?

The best ASIO drivers are the ones specifically written for you hardware. If you don't have dedicated ASIO drivers, your hardware wasn't really designed for ASIO application...usually SB Live cards and other cheap SB cards designed for gaming.

You can do a search on ASIO 4 ALL and try those drivers. Nothing works as well as the ones from the manufacturer though...

[Cosman]

I think orginally the ASIO driver format was developed by QBASE
http://www.soundblaster.com/resource...id=53937&cat=2

I use GUitar Tracks Pro 3 and have my PODxt doing my soundcard chores via USB. I tried the ASIO drivers for this and it worked. However I could not use Ozone 3 on the Fly like I did before drop outs static freezes slow downs,etc. Only Ozone 3 stuff that was very limited would run "live".

I switched back to the WMD drivers so I could run Ozone live again. How ever I do get higher latency.

Recently I have been trying to use Guitar tracks effect Live and monitor the effects. THe WMD drivers have higher latency so I may switch back to ASIO again. (I'm doing the switching in the Guitar Tracks audio menu.)

I have an M-Audio 24/192 card on the way (MF has factory referbs in stock now on discount 129.00) I'm doing this cause I want to try this M-Powered Pro Tools thing instead of spending my time improving my playing and writting songs

[Flet]

Originally Posted by stingx

The best ASIO drivers are the ones specifically written for you hardware. If you don't have dedicated ASIO drivers, your hardware wasn't really designed for ASIO application...usually SB Live cards and other cheap SB cards designed for gaming.

You can do a search on ASIO 4 ALL and try those drivers. Nothing works as well as the ones from the manufacturer though...

Now THAT is something I wanted to hear. I tried the ASIO 4 ALL and I get terrible sound, lots of scratchy noises.

[stingx]

Flet, if you are really into computer based DAW recording, there are so many good, inexpensive choices for sound hardware. I love M-Audio and their external products (no noise from within chasis as you get with a PCI card) and I like Edirol a lot too. E-MU makes a model with onboard hardware acceleration via DSP. You can get something good in a wide pricepoint...from about $145 to $400 USD. All depends on your needs and budget. The M-Audio ASIO drivers I use get me UNDER 5ms latency! Good luck.

[bluesplayer]

Good question , and one which deserves to be answered clearly . When i used the SB cards i ended up using Direct X full duplex drivers ? , however i do no there is serious in roads been made by the KX project . These SB drivers claim to reduce latency and improve stability . Please read everything on the page before installing ,

http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/index.php?skip=1

[Flet]

Originally Posted by stingx

Flet, if you are really into computer based DAW recording, there are so many good, inexpensive choices for sound hardware. I love M-Audio and their external products (no noise from within chasis as you get with a PCI card) and I like Edirol a lot too. E-MU makes a model with onboard hardware acceleration via DSP. You can get something good in a wide pricepoint...from about $145 to $400 USD. All depends on your needs and budget. The M-Audio ASIO drivers I use get me UNDER 5ms latency! Good luck.

I am very very serious about a computer based DAW. In fact, just two days ago I picked up my new computer for the sole purpose of better recording. I was going to pick up an M-Audio firewire 410 at a local music store tonight (if I have time) along with some reference monitors. So it appears you approve of my choice of the M-Audio eh? I sure hope those drivers the the M-audio stuff works out well.

thanks for your input.

[Flet]

thanks blues, I will read diligently.

[stingx]

Originally Posted by Flet

I am very very serious about a computer based DAW. In fact, just two days ago I picked up my new computer for the sole purpose of better recording. I was going to pick up an M-Audio firewire 410 at a local music store tonight (if I have time) along with some reference monitors. So it appears you approve of my choice of the M-Audio eh? I sure hope those drivers the the M-audio stuff works out well.

thanks for your input.

I think you will LOVE the crystal clear pre-amps on the 410. Very versatile little box! You say you are getting ref monitors too, huh...cool. You'll be all set. Pick up a nice condenser mic while you are there if you plan on doing any vocal work. Shure SM-57 is a sure bet. Good for vocals and for micing cabinets. If you get the 410, don't install the drivers on the included cd, get the latest ones (October) from the website ... www.m-audio.com.

[Flet]

Hey stingx,

I just picked up the FireWire 410 last night and so far, things are somewhat cool with one exception at this time. Perhaps it is just my ignorance, but when I plug the mic into input 1, I only record on the left channel, and into input 2 records only on the right. What do I need to do to have either of the inputs record in stereo (e.g. if I am only recording one guitar I would want it recorded in stereo, I'm not recording any more than one instrument at a time).

And FYI, I do have an SM57 which has been doing me well for a while, very cool. The whole thing is very exciting, I just hate not understanding the ins/outs of computers (drivers etc...).

All your help is appreciated, trust me.