PDA

View Full Version : Computer sound cards for midi


burlingtonumc
02-04-2009, 02:36 PM
I seem to be hitting a brick wall on my search. I am looking for a high-quality sound card that excels in midi. I imagine the difference between the sound of midi files on my computer and our CVP-303 is that the computer's sound card has a synthesizer chip costing $4 and the Yamaha's costs $400.

When I've tried to research sound cards, I can't seem to find anything. cnet.com hasn't reviewed a sound card in four years now. Other websites where I typically do research haven't been any better. Mostly they seem to focus on the sound card's ability to turn the computer into an entertainment center and play movies with surround sound or into a gaming machine.

So, does anybody know? Are there any sound cards out there geared toward actual musicians? Is there a sound card that can come anywhere close to matching the synthesizer chip of a dedicated keyboard? Or at least doesn't make midis sound like a cheesy Nintendo game from the 80's! :p

ericho
02-05-2009, 06:47 AM
Hi,

Welcome to the cvpug.

Musicians usually do not use a game-audio-card.
Your looking for a audio-interface.
Most popular are the external ones, usb2 or fire-wire
depending on how many inputs/outputs, pre-amps etc you need, price ranges from $100 to $2000.

The audio interface takes care of the sound quality, the usability of the sound the computer produces depends more on the software u use (soft-synths)

Midi is another story
Your looking for a midi-interface
price will also depend on how many connections you need.
for example a 8x8 midi-interface has 8in and 8out.

an example link: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=recording

there are many brands out there who make audio/midi interfaces for musicians.

I use a steinberg MI4 usb audio interface connected to 2 yamaha mg16/6fx mixers, good for 32 channels with eq and a few more inputs for effect etc.

Midi goes thru a m-audio midisport 4x4 connected to 3 roland 8x8 midi patchbays resulting in 24 midi out and 24 in ports or 384 midi channels.


Hope this helps.

Kind regards

Eric