Topic: Zoltrix Nightingale Pro weird sound when doing DAT>PC transfer....help!

[emalvido]

Need to transfer my M1 tapings to PC
I purchased not so lont ago a Zoltrix Nightingale, for the purpose of "bit by bit" tranfsers from my M1
I have the Sony 7pin>SPDIF cable
When transfering, the sound seems to be kind of "brickwalled" yes I know, I have selected inverese, and doing that way the result is 100% digital nosie loud and annoying! so switch back to the "brickwalled sound"
I have tried several settings, AC adaptor from the M1 connected it backwards, computerr power hooked inverse, I  have a Midiman CO3 tried changing the signal from SPDIF to COAX, .......... still weird signal.
Until I found a "cure"
Instead of coneccting the M1 to the Zoltrix, I connected it directly to my Sony minidisc deck, then to my PC, basically the minidisc deck acts like a bridge, the result= the weird noise is gonel! but by doing this I really doubt that there is a "bit by bit" transfer so , I didnt continued my project.
Anyone had this kind of experience or heard of it?
Read in forums etc, DAT heads etc....that this Zoltrix card had issues running with XP
Im running PC  WIN XP ,  2.0 processor 500 RAM
I haven´t tested the card in other computer. neither other OS
So Im pretty sure that is the card incompatiblity with my system
Befroe getting a new card...............
I have read here, that a good  "bit by bit" transfer option would be the M-audio 2496
I would use is to do transfers and hook it up to my 2 channel amplifier only,  no 5.1 stuff etc etc....
opinions?
Since I have the Midiman CO3
M1>CO3>PC   just to change the SPDIF from the M1 to COAX for the Maudio 2496
Before buying something Should I test the Zoltrix card in other computer? perhaps is my PC?
Ed   

[tapeworm48]

i've had this problem before.  basically i wasnt able to run from my Sony R300 to the ZNP through the coax cable.  i was forced to use the optical in/out for my transfers which worked fine.  if you still have issues with the brickwalling, you can adjust the inverse etc and the #1 and #2 options in the mixer interface.  hope that helps.

[sleepypedro]

glad to see the nightingale card is still working well for you!  :-)

[tapeworm48]

glad to see the nightingale card is still working well for you!  :-)

yup so far so good.
thanks for the hookup and the troubleshooting.

[emalvido]

Tapeworm48
I have already done all the possible adjustments the inverse; this is waht I talked about
inverse=brickwalled sound normal=loud digital noise
and the #1 and #2 options in the mixer interface.
Still have the weird sound.

Also still forgot to mention that sometines I have distant clicks

And finally the brick walling Im explaining is:
Starts to distort in the treble area ( high pitch voices, cymbals, guitars)
ed

[tapeworm48]

i understand what you said, but i recommended trying that using an optical cable.  did you try that?

edit:  i think they make coax>opt cables, maybe hosa is one of the manufacturers.

[emalvido]

Using an optical cable? yes I have used that
M1 >Sony 7 pin with optical cable I/O >ZNP

[dnsacks]

another thought, if you have a 7pin>optical cable, can you get access to (or buy) a creative nomad jb3?  -- I had great luck transferring my remaining dats to my jb3 and then transfering the wav files to my pc for editing/etc.

Nice feature is that you don't need to worry 'bout computer configuration or processor issues during the transfers.

[emalvido]

I dont have a Jb3 neither can buy one 
let see, let me try installing teh card in other computer, will let you know teh results
Ed

[firmdragon]

i used to get this problem also.  the Zoltrix nightgale has always been fickle like that.   i didn't actually find a good fix for that. often times i would be able to fix this problem simlply by restarting the computer.    other times i'd have to reinstall the card.  also if the problem persists, check your 7 pin cable, especially if it's a core sound one.  you could have a loose connection. 

i got so rattled by this problem + the fact that i often got artifacts when doing transfers that i just couldn't solve, that i overhauled my whole transfering process. bought myself an oade cable + a usb based soundcard (mbox).  haven't looked back since.  and regret i wasted so many years using this setup.

[emalvido]

Hello firmdragon
I have the Sony Cable, POC
When I want to transfer directly and record to a Minidisc the things roon smoothly!,  perfect, dont think I have a loose connection, for sure this is a card issue,
The ZNP is a "old card, it was born before XP, so i think the issue lies there.
The mbox looks terrific! but quite expensive! chances are that I will get the m audio 2496 
I knew it! lucky me that I made only 2 transfers using this card and didnt threw hours on  my beloved M1
Thanks for all the posts guys!
Ed 

[tapeworm48]

i've been using mine with winXP from the start so thats probably not it either. 

[emalvido]

Just found this on a ebay auction

"Up for auction is a Zoltrix nightingale soundcard with daughterboard for true 24 bit spdif digital I/O.. New old stock never used.  Perfect fro transfering digital audio to and from the computer.  Card will function like a M-Audio DIO 2448 24bit soundcard if you install the M-Audio Asio drivers instead of the supplied ones. This used to be available for free on the M-audio website but no idea if they can still be downloaded."

I have not tried this! downloading the M audio drivers
Will do that today and post the results!
Ed

[emalvido]

Ok tests done
Still failing, downloaded the DIO drivers, nothing happened as XP searches for tge C-media and intsalls them,
Guess im going for the M audio 2496
Ed 

[emalvido]

Recived yesterday my Maudio 2496, and what can I say better audio consolo and settings ..................total diference
problem solved! no more funny noise 
Ed