Laptop Soundcard Advice

I have a Lenovo Netbook for Midi's when I can't use my G70, and for other applications. I don't have a PCMCIA slot,but an Express slot, and of course USB 1 and 2. I find the quality fairly good, but not exceptional. What do you guys use ?

Another question is whether I could extract driver info from a CD and tranfer to a mem stick, as I don't have a CD ROM drive. I don't see why I couldn't rip it and install it, but I thought I'd ask. I was thinking about the Creative X-FI Notebook http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/70SB095000004?mv_pc=msn&tts=20090317201649#over_spec

Thanks for your help.
Bernie

Just record the SMF's thru your G70 converted into Mp3's....play them thru your LT.

That's a good idea when I don't need the notes or lyrics. However, many times I need midi output for my notation programs.

Bunch of MP3 software that will link text or graphic files to MP3 playback...

Here's a link to the best LT program for playing backingtracks and running midi gear that I know of.
I have used it for two years now without any problems. http://www.playwareinnovations.com/onstage_overview.php

Diki
I have the software for MP3,it is DAC enhancement for midi I am after. Since you are a midi proponent, I am sure you will agree that quality midifiles played back through quality DAC's are as good as MP3, with the advantage of being infinitely easer to edit. The biggest reason is I already have thousands.

Roy
This is a great program for sure, and I may get it. Thank you. The problem is that it presupposes one has decent playback capabiliy. One can EQ and add effects, which is fine after I get the basics enhanced.

It looks like I will have to get a soundcard that disables the one in the MOBO, and go from there.

Is everyone out there using audio ? Maybe I am a dinosaur and don't know it. It is just that I have used midi for 25 yrs, and have some great tracks I don't want to give up.


Roy

Bernie,
I have always been happy with EMU's quality.
Check this one out....
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/0202USB/

I have the big brother 1820M (PCI based) and I think it kicks butt.
Lee S.

I have to agree with Leeon EMU. I use the 1616m which has the PCMCIA adapter and can be used as stand alone, without the rack.

As far as express port goes, you can buy an adapter on ebay really cheap.

No Bernie... quality MIDI files played through a high quality DAC are only as good as the soundfont, VSTi or whatever you are using are. I have never heard a VSTi or soundfont come close to the G70 as a whole soundset.

But if you recorded the G70 ITSELF playing those SMF's, then played that back as a high bitrate MP3 (I find 256kbps VERY hard to distinguish from the original file, in a live situation), you have the sound you are used to with no more fuss... link the lyrics, link the graphics, you are good to go.

Thanks for the input, I will certainly check it out.

Diki
Sorry, I didn't mean the DAC,in itself, would make a midifile as good. I was referring to my old soundcard, which is the Echo Indigo, containing an excellent GM chipset and DAC.

Well just buy the adapter from PCMCIA to express, and use your echo card.

I just checked out the E-MU's and am sure they are great. Since I only need decent playback, I cannot justify that much money.

I am getting the adaptor and hope I can copy the driver alright into my netbook using a flash drive. Thanks.
Bernie

Diki,since I value your opinion, I keep coming back to what you and Donny said about going the MP3 route. I don't know how to sync lyrics and graphics, but I know the quality has to be there. I am going to AB the Echo card with the G-70, and decide if I am going to pursue this. Thanks for your help.
Bernie

Bernie,
Understand. The one you could use is only $99.

The one I use is $599. It has lots of analog in/outs, 2 MIDI, and digital I/O. I play all my audio through it. PC based stuff and PA2XPRO, Kurzweil, and Tyros.

Sounds top notch.

Lee S.

My advice is to stay away from USB as much as possible!

My advice is to "memorize" ALL your lyrics & music so you can make eye contact with the audience instead of the chart & record your SMF's to MP3 then play them off the LT, play styles off the KB

My adaptor will be in today. I'll check it out first. Thanks for the clarification Lee.

Donny, your way is the best, but I am 67 and might be done memorizing before my funeral. Maybe not.

Bernie, check with the members here for the best software to link the lyrics sheets (if they are in your G70, you already had to make a .txt file of them all) with the MP3's.

I don't actually use MP3's myself, but that is only because I never gig qithout my G70, anyway. But if I DID... I would definitely go the MP3 route. You know, of course, that laptop HD's are getting MUCH bigger, these days? If the thought of going MP3 gives you fits, you could always use full CD 16/44 WAV files as long as you have enough room...

Me, for live, I can't tell the difference...

But I would be amazed to hear of a soundfont or cheap GM card that had even a fraction of the G70's dynamics and liveness, especially in the drums (and piano!). Mind you, have you Makeup Tooled your SMF's so they actually USE the V-Kits yet?

If you are playing them unedited on the G70, they are probably still using the legacy Standard, Power etc., kits from the old Sound Canvas days, and a sound card wavetable might NOT be as poor a comparison...

Every time I hear an old SMF unedited on my G70 I think 'whoops! who swapped my G70 for a G1000?!'. I have edited every single SMF I use to the V-Kits. Without those, probably 90% of the realism of the drumkits disappears.

Hmm... I'm not sure why you say that. If you have an older computer e.g. one with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, then I can understand your concern. If you use Windows XP, Vista, or the soon to be released Windows 7, then USB in my opinion is and will be the way to go, and indeed, the wave of the future in my humble opinion. When USB 3.0 is released next year it will put Firewire out of existence and make it obsolete. All other forms of external file transfer protocols will pale by comparison. Apple is even currently phasing out Firewire on some of their newer models because they've seen what USB 3.0 is capable of and they want to be ready to get on board "full steam ahead" once it's released and consequently are relegating some models to USB ports exclusively. USB 3.0 will be able to read and write data at the same time, unlike Firewire. It will also be backward compatible to USB 2.0 and 1.1 both physically AND functionally. USB 3.0 will also carry more "power" through it so it will be able to handle more than "4" devices from a single hub and will also allow you charge up heftier hardware as well.

The future is USB if you ask me. >> So long Firewire, nice to have known you eSATA, see 'ya later Firewire 800.. And HELLO!!! USB 3.0! In about a year or so's time though of course...

All the best,
Mike

Diki and Mike
Incredable information. No, I have not thought about changing drumsets, except for a few enemic SMF's. I thought the G70 always sounded very good. Now I will try the V drums. It is not that I don't use the G70, but I use the laptop with it, with my notation programs. I don't want to port to the G70 with midi cable because, at least on my KN7000, it takes away my flexability in choosing instruments. If the G70 used even it's GM soundset for the laptop, and let me operate as usual, it would be a win win situation.

Sorry to divert a bit, and also sorry if I'm wrong here, but I always thought the thing that differentiated firewire from USB 1 and 2 is the fact that the firewire protocol guarantee's synchronisation of video and audio data being streamed, whereas USB protocols don't. I've just googled "usb 3" to see whether there's any suggestion that the USB protocol has been enhanced to provide the same guarantee of synchronisation as firewire, and I haven't hit anything definitive. Therefore I'm not yet convinced that USB3 will make firewire obsolete. Would make life easier though, one less interface to worry about.

The jury is in. The G70, with the many choices of V-drums, edges out the Echo only in that area. Also, the Echo makes my audio really shine, compared to the Realtek, or whatever chip is Windows XP. Whenever possible,I will use the G70 with Makeup, and Echo for the netbook. There might be better out there, but the improvement is so vast, I will keep what I have for midi. I will also look at MP3 since my audio is vastly improved, also.

I appreciate all of your thoughts.
Bernie

Bernie...try to memorize a song a week before you know it you have a nice assortment of tunes that you can do without charts or lyrics...don't let it be a crutch for you, repetition is key to memorizing at any age.

Thanks bud, I know you are right.