Any musicians using the HEL80? Audigy users?

After reading the majority of the threads in this section, the HEL80 is looking like an excellent solution for my computing needs. However, I was hoping someone here might be able to address a couple questions.

I'm a musician, and I do a lot of MIDI sequencing/recording work. I use the PCMCIA SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook, and I'm wondering if anyone here is currently using the ZS on this notebook? In particular, I'm wondering:

• Does it interface well? I know the ZS sometimes does not interface well with PCMCIA drivers leading to breaks during recording or playback.
• Does it correct the noisy line out/sound interference problem some people have discussed here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=76549
• Has anyone used this computer for MIDI sequencing/recording? If so, are you pleased with the results?
• If you are not using an Audigy 2 ZS, are there any other devices, software, and/or tweaks you suggest for getting optimal sound quality (especially when recording) on this machine?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

Is a USB Audio Interface an option for you? Something like this:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/AudiophileUSB-main.html

A lot of musicians I know with laptops seem to prefer a USB Audio Interface for this kind of work.

EDIT: There's plenty of other stuff out there as well, many specifically designed for mobile studios, etc.: http://www.zzounds.com/cat--USB-Audio-Interfaces--2424

 

I feel horribly out of my league when I look at those USB components.

At this stage, I'm not sure something like that would be helpful for me. I don't require MIDI connectivity, as I don't use MIDI instruments. What I do use is a library of Sound Fonts to achieve greater depth and realism.

However, I admit I've never considered using a USB input for something like a microphone. Do USB devices produce less background noise? Are there any latency issues?

 

Depends.. If you're recording .wav, many older external hardware interfaces, like m-audio have been complained about. It may still be the same today. Latancy can become an issue if you need high res. recording, 96khz as such in stereo. Infact, some "stereo" interfaces will refuse to record such a high res dual channel. Some of the more expensive options offer more dsp in the module and hardware processing that makes latancy less of an issue, but you pay for that. Firewire is the best way to go do to it's more consistant through put over usb. On a side note, I've seen some people bring issue with buzzing in the audio while using headphones. Perhaps it's user error more than electronic interferance, but if you want decent quality from a studio mic.. then there is no other option then to atleast buy a decent external option, or forget recording directly to your comp and just import from your adat/dat/hd recorder.

Maybe a compal owner can attest to the reliability of the firewire with audio.

 

Yeah, if you've got a real firewire port on there, that would be the best option, there are some good firewire audio interfaces.

I've heard of people with pretty good results with USB 2.0 audio interfaces as well though. I don't think they have the same issues as some of the older USB audio interfaces though, and I do know a number of people using USB audio interfaces on both laptops and desktops and the ASIO drivers usually seem to be pretty solid and have little latency.

-Zadillo

 

that's good to hear indeed.. is it any difference if you try to adapt to the 4pin firewire?, or is 6pin a necessity.. thus requiring a firewire card?

 

Honestly I'm not sure, I think at the very least you'd need 6-pin for it to be bus-powered. You'd probably have to ask the manufacturer if it will work with a 6-pin-to-4-pin cable.

One other thing I was going to mention, if you're doing mic recording, you can also get stuff like the M-Audio MobilePre which is probably particularly suited for that kind of thing. I have a friend who uses that for recording podcasts, etc. and it seems to handle things very well without any excess noise, etc.

-Zadillo