how can I record using What U Hear with a soundblaster recon 3d pcie card?

derek wrote on 5/17/2013, 7:53 PM

Hi. I originally wanted to know why I was having trouble listening to some midi and mp3 files on my new computer, which I had created on MM11 on a different computer. The new computer (Windows 7, 64 bit) has MM17. I copied my old files onto the new computer. Instead of piano on the midi files, it sounds almost like bongos or the harp. Something was very clearly not right. Some vocal mp3 files were just a disaster.

Here's what I figured out. It all depends on where I plug in the speaker cord. If I plug it into the green speaker hole on the back of the processor, I have no trouble at all listening to the mp3 and midi files the way they're supposed to be. BUT, I can no longer record using What U Hear. The audio driver is there, but when I record what I play on youtube, for example, it comes out only as very loud static.

Now if switch the speaker cord from the green hole that's already on the back of the processor to the green speaker hole on the Creative Soundblaster Recon 3D PCIE pcie card, then the What U Hear recording works great, but many mp3 and midis suddenly sound awful, as I described above.

With my old computer with MM11, I'm pretty sure the speaker cord was plugged into the green hole that was NOT in the old soundblaster card. It was in the hole that came standard on the back of the processor. What U Hear worked fine, as did all the mp3 and midi files.

My question is probably obvious by now. What do I have to do so that I can record using What U Hear and also have all my mp3 and midi files function correctly? I can't keep switching the cord back and forth between green holes. Thanks very much.

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 5/18/2013, 10:29 AM

. . . .I can no longer record using What U Hear . . .

You probably have a Realtek HD sound card/chipset in which case see this post - warning - this can introduce echo depending on how other parameters of the sound chip have been configured.

. . . to the green speaker hole . . . .

Stereo speakers must be plugged into the green socket.

For surround sound the green socket is the front channel pair, black rear channel pair and orange subwoofer/centre speaker - note these colours may vary

. . . .Instead of piano on the midi files, it sounds almost like bongos or the harp. . . .

The piano synthesiser that was used in MM1 may not be available in MM17 check which synth is being used.

HTH

John

derek wrote on 5/18/2013, 10:35 PM

With all due respect, I don't know any more than I did before. For playback, I do have the realtek HD speakers. MM17 plays the files I made in MM11 when I plug the speaker into the processor's green socket. If there were a synth problem, I would expect that MM17 wouldn't play those files whether I used the processor's green socket or the soundblaster's.

To get to the nitty gritty, if I want to use the What U Hear function, is it absolutely necessary that I plug the speaker into the soundblaster's green socket?

johnebaker wrote on 5/19/2013, 4:40 AM

. . . . To get to the nitty gritty, if I want to use the What U Hear function, is it absolutely necessary that I plug the speaker into the soundblaster's green socket? . . .

Perhaps I did not make it clear enough

It depends on why you have two sound cards in the PC.

To use the onboard Realtek sound card/chipset for What U Hear recording (and which you gives you the correct playback) you need to follow my instructions in the post I referred to , in order to turn on the Stereo Mixer which is probably disabled. Ignore the rest about the microphone.

For What U Hear recording you use the Realtek Stereo mixer as the source, with your audio input fed into the Microphone or Line in socket on the Realtek card and the speakers plugged in as detailed below. However this can lead to the introduction of echo as I stated below depending on the what and how you are recording.

The problems with the Creative card could be one of several issues:

- are the drivers upto date?

- do you have the THX 3D sound synth turned on?

- are any othe audio enhancements turned on?

Also check MMM is using the Microsoft GS Wave table Synth and not the Creative sound card synth.

If all else fails in theory you should be able to use one sound card/chipset for recording and the other for playback - in your case, as the Realtek gives the correct sound, try using this for playback and the Creative for recording.

HTH

John

derek wrote on 5/20/2013, 11:46 AM

Hi John. I'll look at this again when I get home, but for now, could you tell me how to do a couple things that you suggested? Below -

- do you have the THX 3D sound synth turned on?

- Also check MMM is using the Microsoft GS Wave table Synth and not the Creative sound card synth.

Also, I have 2 sound cards because when I bought the computer, one was already in there. There was sound, so I'm just assuming that it's because there's a sound card there. When I added the Soundblaster card, that was the 2nd.

Thanks.

derek wrote on 5/21/2013, 4:39 PM

Sorry - I didn't comment on your instructions in the post you referred to because I had already made sure that everything was enabled, including Stereo Mix. Quite honestly, I don't know how Stereo Mix relates to What U Hear or any other recording device.

I went into MM17 and saw that it's using Microsoft GS Wave table synth. All drivers have been updated. As far as I know, there are no other audio enhancements. You asked about the THX sound synth. How can I tell if that's turned on?

I'd be perfectly happy to use 1 card for playback (realtek) and 1 for recording (creative), if I can get Creative to function properly.

I have 2 sound cards because when I bought the computer, one was already in there. There was sound, so I'm just assuming that it's because there's a sound card there, which I guess was the Realtek. When I added the Soundblaster card, that was the 2nd.

derek wrote on 5/22/2013, 10:09 AM

Can anyone help me with this? Would it be easier if I just reposted my question?