--- In
AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "nuvalerium" <alan@s...> wrote:
>
> I like sound fonts which my sound card can handle. I like DXI`s in
> Sonar but my PC cannot handle as the latency is a huge issue. I
want
> a simple way to record my songs which may contain sound fonts and
> DXI`s. I have a laptop which is a P4 and gets rid of the latency
> challenge on the DXi's but it cannot use soundfonts. Basically my
> setup is all over the shop and is causing me challenges.
>
Latency in regards to softsynths and other plug-ins is directly
attributed to a) the efficiency of the manufactures driver and b) the
speed at which the System Bus of your PC (or Mac) operates at.
Processor speed and amount of memory are also relevant but the 1st
two items are the bottleneck most often affecting latency.
I would suggest you relegate your current sound card to gaming and
entertainment purposes and seek out a semi-pro or pro solution more
inline with the rest of your kit.
> Whats my best option? I want to play my keyboards, using DXi's,
> soundfonts and patches, record what I am playing and edit the
> mistakes :-)
>
A couple of suggestions...
1) There are a few, active user groups for Cakewalk/Sonar here at
Yahoo! Groups. I suggest you subscribe and search their archives for
references to set-ups similar to your own to get a feel for what
devices are popular, i.e., work well, in a configuration similar to
what you desire.
2) There is a 'popular' web site
http://www.kvr-vst.com/ that caters
directly to the VSTi/DXi market. At one point they maintained a small
data base of sound cards and what latencies were achieved under
specific configurations. Furthermore, you are likely to find
resources for SoundFonts and various shareware & freeware playback
options.
3) There are many USB based audio solutions on the market and mid-
priced FireWire solutions are projected to be available this summer
from the likes of M-Audio and ESI - no doubt more will follow soon
after that. Either would be suitable for a laptop based recording
solution. There is an article posted at AudioMIDI.com this month
regarding laptops for audio and (again) there is a user groups here
at Yahoo! Groups called LaptopMozart (I think) based on the subject
matter. An aquantance of mine from the ASR-X list many years ago
started that one up...
> Looking at Reason to replace my DXi's and soundfonts, therefore one
> source but can Reason record or do I need to use Sonar for that?
>
Reasons pretty well regarded but I always question the 'one size fits
all' solution. I suspect you would do well with Reason but
∗eventually∗ would long to reintroduce a variety of softsynths. I
could be wrong...Still, that new synth added in Reason v2 has created
some buzz.
> Also looking at an Ensoniq ASR-10 which can sample and has an
> excellent sequencer.
>
Love my ASR-X Pro (not the same as an ASR-10) but it's hardly the
center of my universe - Logic Audio Gold and a selection of
softsynths compliment my AN1x and ASR-X.
> My kit as it stands right now is roughly as follows. AN1x, Korg
> N364, Midiman Oxygen8, USB midisport 4x4, Boss DR770, Yamaha MU15,
> Mackie 1202VLZ Pro, Philips CD Recorder, Tannoy Active Reveals,
> Sonar XL and Cooledit Pro.
>
All solid choices...
> Hardware or software. Too many choices. Completely confused as to
> which way to go. I need a larger brain.
Gear lust will have the same effect ;-)
Any advice would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Ta
>
> Alan
Hope this helps.
Jon