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Audiophile 2496 - Questions [DJThy?]
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| Eugene |
DJ Thy & others who know about M-Audio soundcards,
Thanks again for your recommendation.
I got my Audiophile-2496 sound card today in the mail.
Some questions:
1. I didn't see the 16- vs. 24-bit settings in M-Audio's Control Panel. Is 24 the automatic mode, so that I don't even need to set it?
2. In the Hardware Settings section of the Control Panel applet, there is a group of options for the Codec Sample Rate. They range from 8000 too 96000, and the default setting is 44100. Is that bad, do I have to change it to 96000?
3. What recording software is recommended? I'm currently using CDWave, a pretty good shareware tool that doesn't have any time limitations. However, even after I installed the card, the only two possible bitrates it shows are 8 and 16 (maybe it just doesn't understand 24 bits?).
4. And lastly: If I do manage to record a mix in 24-bit sound, will I have to manually convert it to 16-bit later in order to burn a CD? Do I need to worry about that?
Thanks a lot for your help :) |
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| Dj Thy |
1. Normally the bit depth is controlled via the recording program you use. Consumer programs usually keep it at 16 bit, 44.1 kHz. More professional progs leave that choice to you.
2. If I recall well, that's the internal samplerate for the card (and/or ASIO settings). Like above, good recording programs let you choose the samplerate. Higher rates are qualitatively better, but eat up more resources (and space). For normal use, 44.1 kHz is a normal ratio. If you are going to record, I'd use 48 kHz. 96 is slightly better, but the amound of space you need more is a big drawback, too big to be really useful for a mere cd recording.
3. If you want to take full advantage out of a high grade soundcard, you'll have to use high grade audio applications.
The best examples I can give you are Soundforge, Wavelab and Samplitude (I swear by these three). They are pretty expensive, but worth it. Besides if you need them, PM me ;)
4. Again, downsampling is managed by those programs. they have pretty good dithering algorythms. All you have to do is record the stuff in high quality (24 bit and high samplerate), apply any edits/effects you want, and on the end save the stuff in 16 bit, 44.1 kHz and burn (wavelab and samplitude have extensive burning capabilities so they can do all the work for you, Soundforge can burn cd's too, but not those continuous mix cd's with tracks. Maybe SF6 can do it, have to check it out). |
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| Eugene |
Thanks for your reply.
My other question is, I'm currently recording a mix, but the volume level (as indicated by my recording software, CD Wave) is very very quiet. How can I increase the volume?
Normally, this is controlled in Windows in the Audio Properties > Recording > Line-In panel. But now all of these panels are unavailable in the Volume Control program.
Therefore, I tried going to M-Audio's Control Panel, and setting the H/W 1/2 slider to the max. However, the strength of the signal as indicated by my recorder remained unchanged. What am I doing wrong? |
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| Dj Thy |
Hmm the recording volume should be adjusted through the M-Audio control panel. Mixer inputs (be sure the right input is routed). You should see the changes reflected on the Vumeter.
Also be aware, the device you are recording from might operate at -10 dBV (consumer level). Try setting this in the Hardware settings.
Try reading the manual thoroughly if you have problems, most things are explained there (if it wasn't included with your audio card, you can still find it on M-audio's webpage). |
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| Eugene |
DJ Thy, yes, I read the documentation; but it didn't answer my question.
The problem is that I can't adjust the line-in volume setting.
Previously with other sound cards, the default signal was also pretty quiet, but I could always click on the volume icon in Windows' system tray, go to Options, select Recording, and set the line-in volume to the max -- manually. This directly affected the volume of the signal displayed in recording programs.
But M-Audio replaces the Windows settings (it simply removes them from Volume Control), so you must go through the Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, the H/W 1/2 meter (the only one I need, others are irrelevant) is fixed, it can't be changed! Even when I slide the controls around it, this only affects the master (playback) volume, but not the line-in recording volume.
Let me show you what I mean:
This is when I'm mixing, and the signal goes into the sound card. The problem is that the H/W 1/2 meter can't be adjusted. |
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| MekTek |
| thats usually adjusted from within your recording program. my personal favorite is wavelab. within wavelab you have a master control that raies and lowers the output. you should also run your mixers channel fader level into hitting yellow once in a while and set your master ot level as hot as possible from your mixer so that your sound cards input is as hot as possible before hitting the input to te soundcard. this imizes noise so hat the mix will sound cleaner and less noisy. hope that helps. :) |
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| Eugene |
| quote: | Originally posted by MekTek
you should also run your mixers channel fader level into hitting yellow once in a while and set your master ot level as hot as possible from your mixer so that your sound cards input is as hot as possible before hitting the input to te soundcard.
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both of these are done...
in fact sometimes my mixer goes into red lights.
The mixer's master vol. is set to MAX!
Wavelab is a monster, all I need is a recorder (preferably with 24-bit capability) that would also enhance the volume from the line-in, since the sound card doesn't seem to have this option...
:rolleyes: |
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| Dj Thy |
Did you check the +4 dBu vs -10 dBV parameter yet?
I think by default it's set to +4dBu, but most normal dj mixers use -10 dBV. |
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| Eugene |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dj Thy
Did you check the +4 dBu vs -10 dBV parameter yet?
I think by default it's set to +4dBu, but most normal dj mixers use -10 dBV. |
OK, but you can change that for the outputs only.
Not for the inputs.
From the documentation: "The analog inputs of the Audiophile are fixed to 'Consumer' levels." However, you can select non-consumer outputs.
As shown in the following picture -- see where it says "Variable OUTPUTS"? Well, you can change the outputs, but not the inputs...
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