Hi Everyone

I am trying to decide on an upgrade for my laptop(IBM 800). I am using MS GS Wavetable that is in laptop now for Midi.
I need an external card(I think).
I am considering 1. Creative Extigy and 2.Edirol SD-20. 3.I have an old Soundcanvas module.

The Edirol is better but I don't need a virtual synth. I want the best sound for the least money for pre-edited Midi,etc.

Any help will be appreciated

Bernie

I am presently using an Extigy and it is certainly good enough for what I do which is use it to listen to wave files as I work on them in Sound Forge 7, Wavelab 4 and Sonar 2.2. However, I do NOT record through it. It will play back 24 bit files but it will only record 16 bit files. I will probably some day in 2004 upgrade from it though.

If you have $200 to spend have a look at the Tascam US 122, which is a nice, small unit. Terry (TRTJazz) has one and likes it a lot.

Tom

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Bigger is not always better

Well, What about the Soundblaster Audigy 2 NX?
On the Creative Homepage they say it supports soundfonts, so you could use a soundfont for midi playback, I don't recommend the free soundfonts, if I would pick, I would choose Synergi GS, it costs $17.99 and it sounds really great.

Here are the links:

Creative: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2NX/

Synergi GS http://www.samplebanks.com/

Greetz ,
Marcel

Thanks Tom and Marcel
The Audigy seems to support audio only and the Tascam has recording capabilites I don't need.
For playback purposes,it looks like Extigy would an improvement.

Bernie,
I'm now using a Tascam US122 formerly an M Audio Quattro.
The Tascam works great without hassles.
Terry

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jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

What do you mean by "The Audigy supports audio only"?

It does support midi and it does support soundfonts, look at the specs:

SPECIFICATIONS
Technical Specifications

Channel Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
Front/Rear/Centre/Sub 102dB @ 2Vrms
Headphone/Side 96dB @ 2Vrms


24-bit/96kHz Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for various analog inputs
24-bit/96kHz Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) for up to 7.1 channels output
Supports Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) format input signal of up to 24-bit/96kHz quality
Recording/Playback: up to 24-bit/96kHz*
SoundFont 2.1 Support for Midi playback

Connections and Controls
USB connector
Line In
Mic In
Optical S/PDIF In
Line Out (Front/Rear/Center/Sub)
Line/Headphone Out (Side)
Optical and Coaxial S/PDIF Out
Controls:
- Master Volume Control
- Mic Volume Control

Indicators:
- Power LED - Dolby LED
- Mute LED - CMSS LED
- IR LED

However the Extigy does NOT support soundfonts.

(see here: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2NX/compare.asp )

Hope this helps,

Greetz ,
Marcel

Marcel
Thanks for straightening me out. Since I am obviously not well acquainted with specs,I didn't see MIDI listed,and jumped to the wrong conclusion I guess.
It would be an understatement to conclude you heavily favor the Audigy.

Back to the drawing board
Thanks
Bernie

Bernie, I would suggest the Edirol if you like the Roland soundset, but maybe consider a Yamaha MU15 if you like the Yamaha GM/XG soundset. There is little difference in the two GM sets (I think Yamaha is a little brighter, Roland warmer) but the GS and XG sets of the two might provide some real differences if you edit your midi file voices. Also, AMS has sold a model EM100 sound module for about $60 which is basically a Roland SC chip. It's very basic, but sound very good - I have one and keep it as a spare for my SC88. Did you know that the GS Wavetable is essentially a Roland chip too? It sounds much better through amplification, but isn't quite as good as an external box.

Hi Cassp
I am glad you replied. I should have known when I saw GS that it was Roland. I like Roland fine but,it sounds somewhat muted when I play the file through my laptop as compared to a disk fed directly into my KN7000,eventhough both go through my KN.The sound is about the same as old Soundbrush/Soundcanvas. No wonder-Roland. It is so subjective. Probably the audience would not know the difference if I get a new module,but I would,hopefully.

Thanks all for your responce and will keep digging.
Bernie

I use the Yamaha S-YXG50 softsynth on a laptop when I need accompaniment for acoustic piano gigs. Click here for more info . It sounds way better than any of the Roland variety, and most of my midi files are setup for XG anyway.

BTW: the Tascam US-122 is a great audio I/O device for recording and playing back audio (I have one) but it isn't a sound card per se (no soundfonts - it wouldn't play MIDI files alone)... you'd still need a softsynth with the US-122.