Not recording on time

fragsta · Post by **fragsta** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:49 am

I often record my guitar along with a drum beat into Acid Music Studio 7, but for some reason the guitar is going along much faster than the drums. I know it's in time. If anyone is familiar with this software, or perhaps just has any better ideas on how to play along to a drum beat or a metronome, I'd really appreciate it.

It almost seems like the recording is being compressed to make it faster, but it can't be - I know there are options in most recording software (including Acid) to make up for the difference but I can't get it right.

Cheers!

EDIT: And yes, I did ask about the exact same problem a while ago, but now I'm using different software and it's all very odd, doesn't make sense.

rogerroll · Post by **rogerroll** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:49 am

If it's happening across different software, then it's probably a hardware problem.

fragsta · Post by **fragsta** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:15 am

Thanks for the swift reply.

Here's the setup:

When I'm playing the guitar it's Guitar->6.3mm Lead->Marshall Jackhammer Distortion Pedal->6.3mm Lead->6.3 to 3.5mm adapter->PC

For a microphone it's Microphone->XLR to 6.3mm adapter->6.3mm Lead->6.3 to 3.5mm adapter->PC

It used to be okay, but I've noticed lagging for both setups. In fact, a few days ago, the lagging was quite obvious even without recording, but I tinkered around and re-plugged everything in and it sounded okay until I recorded.

Any suggestions about what I should do? I was thinking of getting this:
http://www.firebox.com/product/1572?src_t=wnw
Reviews make it out to be pretty solid - good idea?

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:19 am

are you using ASIO drivers? they specially compensate for lag. What's your current soundcard?
-bill

fragsta · Post by **fragsta** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:35 pm

I have never heard of ASIO drivers. The sound card is on-board, on my ASRock 775Twins motherboard. According to device manager it's an ATI T200, whatever that is - it uses the ATI T200 Unified AVStream Driver.

Since we're on the subject now, I guess it would be a good time to ask another question I've been wondering - should I get a proper sound card for this sort of thing? Would it make the recordings I make sound any more real? Because at the moment they're slightly... muffled.

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:29 pm

Yes, onboard sound is not very good generally and I wouldn't use it for musical applications. Although if you want to give this ASIO thing a try, search google for "AASIO4ALL" drivers.
-bill

fragsta · Post by **fragsta** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:57 pm

I'll try that out, thanks. Do I need to do anything in particular with it apart from installing? With regard to sound cards, I've been thinking about getting one for a while now, what would you recommend?

HeuristicsInc · Post by **HeuristicsInc** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:32 pm

Not sure what else you need to do. Check the instructions. As for soundcards, I like my M-Audio Audiophile 2496, but search the SF boards, this comes up a lot.
-bill

fragsta · Post by **fragsta** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:27 am

Ok, thanks again!

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 10:20 am

Another way to go would be to get a USB mixer- they are about the same price as a middle of the road soundcard, and you have physical faders, eq knobs, etc.
I personally own a Peavey PV10USB, paid about 3 hundred canadian for it 2 years ago, you can find them on ebay for cheaper than that. It has XLR inputs and phantom power if you want to use condenser mics, plus some basic reverb/delay effects. The sound quality is pretty good.
Behringer makes USB mixers too, although I've never used one and can't tell you anything about them other than they are inexpensive.

[edit] I 2nd the ASIO4ALL drivers. I've been using them for several years, and they work fantastic, on almost any chipset.