Topic by Daren

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  • Daren
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  • Registered: 02-07-2010
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Topic: Usb external soundcard

Hi im new here, Ive downloaded pianoteq play and  the free ASIO4all to my new laptop and I have connected my roland Hp207 using a direct usb connection so I did not need a midi interface,however I dont think the built in soundcard is good enough because  I get a disturbing squelchy computor like noise when I play pianoteq and even when im using my mouse and opening up programmes.I hear this especially when using headphones.

Basicaly I need advice what  usb soundcard to get and how it will work if I want headphones connected.

Any advice will be very appreciated.
Thanks

Reply by tb303

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  • Registered: 15-03-2010
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Re: Usb external soundcard

Hi there,

I downloaded also the ASIO4all onto my Lenovo T500 laptop and bypassed my exteral audio interface and used a direct USB connection and I also get the disturbing squelchy sound that you describe. I can offer you the following honest advice from my experience. I have been using an "M-Audio Fast-track Pro" external audio soundcard (Also I believe being recommended by Hugh Sung in the Pianiteq demos / tutorials). With this soundcard I have managed to reduce the latency to 2.9 miliseconds without any sound disturbance. There is a BIG warning here however and you should be made aware of it. There has been serious compatability issues with this souncard and windows XP Service Pack 3 (I believe XP Service Pack 2 is the way to go). I have not tested it with any later windows operating systems such as Vista or Windows 7 but you will have a nightmare with XP sp2 (Its a long story.....). Anyway, I am happily using this soundcard with no glitches, my headphones going straight in with crystal clear sound. I hope this may help you a little (If you go to youtube and google Hugh Sung on Pianoteq he recommends the same). Cheers

Reply by Daren

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  • Registered: 02-07-2010
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Re: Usb external soundcard

I have actualy managed to get rid of the noise now.What I had to do was go into speakers utility and under levels tab I had to turn off the pc speaker button and now it works perfect.

Im using windows 7 on a laptop and it works great.
Thanks for your advice.