Soundblaster LIVE PLatinum & MIDI

[suprpmp]

ok

I had a SoundbLaster pci512 card which wasnt that bad except for the HORRIBLE latency under any program. So i decided to get a Live Platinum (so that i could plug into the front of the Computer instead of the back ) Anyway, i got the Live because i saw the APS drivers at come.to/sblive and then other stuff happened (motherborad doesnt like the new card, got new motherborad and proc, proc burned out) while all this was going on (over the course of 2 weeks) I found out the the damn APS drivers dont work with Win2k ( I will not install Win98SE or WinME because they both suck, if you want to debate with me on how they suck you can email me privately). So now the question is what do i get so that i have MIDI capability on my computer with ASIO support for the low latancy. I was thinking about the MOTU fastlane usb MIDI thing because it has WIn2k drivers now and fully supports ASIO 2.0. Does anyone know of any other suggestions?


--jake

[ethorsen]

You are about a month ahead of me! I am trying to set up a keyboard-based studio with my computer as the central component.

I don't have an SB sound card, and really wanted to try the SoundFont technology for two reasons:
1. I'm a software guy first, and a musician second. In my day job, we take the hardware for granted, and add all the functionality in the software. I figured I could apply the same logic to the music tools on the market today (many of them freeware, or open source).

2. I am new to this, and cannot afford the graded hammer keys (which I really really want) and the Tone Generators of the world (Roland JV-1080 seems to be the recommended box for me).

I am currently trying to find a low cost sound card (SoundBlaster Live is $29 at ubid.com) to support the SoundFont concept so that I can use my (cheap) keyboard in my studio.

I would appreciate it if you continue to post here any traction you get in using the SB and how the latency is a factor.

Also, any advice you have for me is greatly appreciated! As you can see, I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to the musical side of the software business.

Best Regards,
Eric

[TimOBrien]

I started out with a SoundblasterLive (the MP3 version... all the Live cards are exactly the same except for the Platinum's front panel and I didn't think it was worth the extra $100). I recently moved up to an Echo Mia 24/96 card and kept my Live in the PC just to handle Soundfonts and CD-audio (the Live will work with another card quite nicely.)

For MIDI, I have a Midiman Midisport USB 2x2 and it works great. Five minute setup and not a glitch from it. Until we all go to mLan (which is basically audio and MIDI over Firewire) I think USB is perfect for MIDI.