last couple of times i tried to record a mix to my laptop, there would be gaps in entire file. now im assuming its because my laptop slowing the crap down and needing to process all the info thats going into it recording.

anyways...my buddy suggested that i should get an external sound card like the sound blaster exitgy. now does anybody know whether or not its worth the cash to get???

1 more thing...when i used sound forge to record my mix and tried saving it as a .wav file, it would say that its too big. anybody know what i can do to save it as a .wav file???

thnx a bunch

1st ?? - I had a laptop that was unable to record anything that was > that the amount of RAM I had before putting gaps in the file. I didnt both recording with this laptop again.

SB Extigy - There are many different external options, the cheapest of which is made by Creative Labs and availble for around $40 or so at best buy. If you want better quality, look into the m-audio line or ask others for advice. There are some PCMCIA cards that people have on here that are pretty nice as well.

Sf - It sounds like you dont have enough disk space to save the .wav file. 16 bit, 44.4khz, stereo Wav files take up roughly 10MB per minute (actually less, but math is easier if you estimate this way).

Question for you... what kind of laptop do you have? What is in it? What is running when you are trying to record? Is it the demo version of soundforge or did you buy it? How much RAM? How big is the HDD? Are you recording w/ the line-in (is there even a line input)?

if your on PC here are some facts to consider.

if your filesystem is
FAT max file size is 2GB
FAT32 <4GB
NTFS limited by size of your HD volume

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onceler...

i have a toshiba satellite. from what i remember, its a 1.2 ghz processor. 256 mb ram. i didnt soundforge...just got it off of a p2p program with a serial # crack. i wanted to check it out before i went ahead and bought it.
i got 40 gigs of space, and i have 14 gigs left. so i figured disk space isnt the issue. i dont think i have a line-in, i used the mic input. when i record mixes, i try not to run any programs. but then midway through my mixes, sometimes i'll remember the screen saver is set for 5 minutes, and i just move the mouse around to prevent it from doing the whole screen saver thing.

imo, i think my laptop is just fucked...which is why i'd want to try an external soundcard so hopefully it'll buffer some of the data thats going into my laptop without my recording interfering with all the work that my laptop has to do.

I use Super MP3 Recorder to record my mix to mp3 format from live input.
So you should try it.

Here is link where you can download software. This demo version only records 30 sec. so you will need to buy software or something.

You can try this link http://s3.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=28PIP0XOMN1GJ3AIB73KXKBJY1

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I may have had the same problem as you, but maybe not... When I'm recording directly to the hard drive.. the mix will skip constantly.

I have an extremely fast laptop(Pentium 4 3.2Ghz(not mobile), 1G Ram, 7200rpm hard drive), so it's not the laptop.

I have a really cheap set up. I have an Imic(usb soundcard) that I got for $20. I use Myxoft DSS dj; which I've never heard of anyone on this board using, but it's the most versatile in it's setup compared to traktor(if you want to know why just let me know, that will be another page worth of posting).

Your best bet would be to record to an MP3 player; which eliminated the skips from my mixes. Only problem is if you use the mic in, the volume will be extremely low and you have to use Nero's wave editor to "amplify" it; which is really easy.

If you're using a mixer just use the tape out to the MP3 player, if not get an 2 RCA splitters.

Craig

quote:

Originally posted by i got big pants onceler... i have a toshiba satellite. from what i remember, its a 1.2 ghz processor. 256 mb ram. i didnt soundforge...just got it off of a p2p program with a serial # crack. i wanted to check it out before i went ahead and bought it. i got 40 gigs of space, and i have 14 gigs left. so i figured disk space isnt the issue. i dont think i have a line-in, i used the mic input. when i record mixes, i try not to run any programs. but then midway through my mixes, sometimes i'll remember the screen saver is set for 5 minutes, and i just move the mouse around to prevent it from doing the whole screen saver thing.

I recorded with my Dell Inspiron 5000 Pentium 3 500mHz before it burned down so I don't think it's a resource issue.

Before you record, you need to goto your Control Panel and change your power management settings. Change your power schemes to Home/Office Desk. Basically anything that doesn't turn off your hard disks, and your system doesn't goto stanby or hibernations. Just remember to change it back when you're done recording.

quote:

Originally posted by i got big pants imo, i think my laptop is just fucked...which is why i'd want to try an external soundcard so hopefully it'll buffer some of the data thats going into my laptop without my recording interfering with all the work that my laptop has to do. anyways...my buddy suggested that i should get an external sound card like the sound blaster exitgy. now does anybody know whether or not its worth the cash to get???

Since your laptop doesn't have line-in I suggest you get a alternate sound card as well. Your mic-in only records in mono. I'm not sure what your use for the soundcard would be. If you are only using it for playback and recording of mixes. Then any cheap soundcard will do. There are ones cheaper than the Exitgy. If you're looking to do more production with your soundcard as well, I would recommend getting a more professional card than Exitgy. (Like a Echo Indigo I/O) Either way, Exitgy will be too pricey for the application.

Last edited by Scottaculous on Feb-22-2005 at 18:43

So what we're saying here is that, if we do not have an external soundcard, and we're using a laptop - that doens't have a line in, then pretty much we can't record??

yes and no, in a sense

yes, you can record, but the quality will be nowhere near acceptable mix quality...as the mic records in mono only, if you laptop has a line-in (as many powerbooks from mac do) then you can record directly to stereo wav format and have a decent sounding mix.

the best solution would be have a desktop dedicated to recording and producing...with a quality soundcard added to the motherboard and you'd be set...otherwise, you can use any other desktop with the motherboard's internal sound card, and still get a decent recording.

if you're trying to record to a laptop, then your best bet is to get an external sound card with separate I/O or a line-in, this way you'd be able to record your mix in 100% stereo quality.

thanks for all the info guys. i want to get a desktop to make things a lot eaiser with a good soundcard, but the funds arent there.

im most likely going to get an external soundcard. looking at the exitgy or the audigy2x.

quote:

Originally posted by Hyoctane I have a really cheap set up. I have an Imic(usb soundcard) that I got for $20. I use Myxoft DSS dj; which I've never heard of anyone on this board using, but it's the most versatile in it's setup compared to traktor(if you want to know why just let me know, that will be another page worth of posting).

It sounds to me like you are trying to both perform and record with 1 computer. Your soundcard might not be able to handle this. If you can do one or the other, then my best bet would be you need a better sound card.

Also, recording w/o a line in and using the mic input is not what you want to do.

Ah..oh well.. good excuse to get me an Audigy then... :-P or is there another card that you guys would recommmend?