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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: Morphius on July 21, 2005, 04:07:18 PM

Title: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: Morphius on July 21, 2005, 04:07:18 PM
I can get a PCMCIA Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS Notebook card pretty cheap, what do you guys think of it?  I've seen one person say it is bit-perfect and another say it's not.  If you don't recommend it, what do you?  I do mostly soundboard recording, but I'm getting into Aud tapes more.  I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want this card to limit me either (how's that for double-standards?)

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10769&nav=5
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: chase on July 21, 2005, 05:53:14 PM
I don't believe that any of the audigy cards are bit perfect.  Also don't forget that you are dealing with this type of company:

Quote
Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum

The Audigy 2 series of sound cards claim 24bit high definition audio recording and playback capabilities. This is simply not true. The card can playback 24bit recordings but it does not process the audio at 24bit. Neither can it record in 24bit. I have tried several levels with 24bit and none succeeded with acceptable results. Switching the recording process to 16bit returned acceptable results but I was still disappointed that I couldn’t get the 24bit process to work.

Creative Labs has been sued in light of this discovery and has graciously decided to settle a class action law suit by offering a coupon worth 25% off the next purchase of any Creative product. In order to be included in this suit, you must have purchased a SoundBlaster Audigy ES, Audigy Platinum, Audigy Platinum EX, Audigy Gamer, Audigy MP3 or an original Extigy external USB sound card made between March 28, 1999 to December 29, 2004.

More information is available at the following URL.

http://www.audiocardsettlement.com/
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 21, 2005, 07:23:42 PM
vx pocket v2/440
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: Morphius on July 21, 2005, 11:31:49 PM
I'll have to take a look into that vx pocket...

Chase:  The paragraph you quoted doesn't specifically include the Audigy 2 ZS... wonder if they fixed that?
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: chase on July 22, 2005, 02:12:10 AM
Not 100% sure but I do know that personally I would never buy an Audigy when there are so many other known methods of getting a solid digital input into your laptop.  VX Pocket, Firewire 410, etc.
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: fsulloway on July 22, 2005, 03:21:04 AM
Quote from: Bean on July 21, 2005, 07:23:42 PM
vx pocket v2/440

I've used both and highly recommend them.
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: mmedley. on July 22, 2005, 12:00:56 PM
Quote from: fsulloway on July 22, 2005, 03:21:04 AM
Quote from: Bean on July 21, 2005, 07:23:42 PM
vx pocket v2/440

I've used both and highly recommend them.

Ditto. I own both and love the shit out of them. Don't cut corners. Audigy's resample.  ;)
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: Morphius on July 22, 2005, 04:41:07 PM
The more I look at it the more I like the Firewire 410.  If only it was a bit cheaper ;) ...This is an expensive hobby.  I like the idea of being able to plop it right into a desktop machine as well.

If there are any other plugs you guys would like to make, feel free.  I'd like to learn as much as possible before making a purchas..."investment."

Are there any direct comparison tests available for all these different products?  If not I'll just have to listen to regular recordings, but there are so many variables I'd rather have some sort of direct comparison.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: cosmic 1 on July 30, 2005, 10:50:52 AM
I use Audiophile USB

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM03/Content/MAudio/PR/Audiophile-USB.html
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: Brian on July 30, 2005, 10:55:04 AM
Quote from: cosmic 1 on July 30, 2005, 10:50:52 AM
I use Audiophile USB

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM03/Content/MAudio/PR/Audiophile-USB.html

hey i know you! 8)

edit:  you need to report to the Team St. Louis thread pronto ;D
Title: Re: Laptop Soundcard
Post by: audBall on July 30, 2005, 01:24:38 PM
Quote from: chase on July 21, 2005, 05:53:14 PM
I don't believe that any of the audigy cards are bit perfect.  Also don't forget that you are dealing with this type of company:

Quote
Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum

The Audigy 2 series of sound cards claim 24bit high definition audio recording and playback capabilities. This is simply not true. The card can playback 24bit recordings but it does not process the audio at 24bit. Neither can it record in 24bit. I have tried several levels with 24bit and none succeeded with acceptable results. Switching the recording process to 16bit returned acceptable results but I was still disappointed that I couldn’t get the 24bit process to work.

Creative Labs has been sued in light of this discovery and has graciously decided to settle a class action law suit by offering a coupon worth 25% off the next purchase of any Creative product. In order to be included in this suit, you must have purchased a SoundBlaster Audigy ES, Audigy Platinum, Audigy Platinum EX, Audigy Gamer, Audigy MP3 or an original Extigy external USB sound card made between March 28, 1999 to December 29, 2004.

More information is available at the following URL.

http://www.audiocardsettlement.com/

I have an external USB 'Creative SB Advanced HD'.  Does this fall in the category?  How can I find out when it was made?