Souncard questions

[gps2013]

Before I am gonna ask my questions, some info.

I have used lmms before, and made a song with it on Linux.
In the pc I used back then there was a soundblaster live soundcard.
With my new pc, I use the onboard sound.

amd phenom II x4 @ 3.2 ghz 4 gig of ram, hd5750
Audio device: Realtek ALC892
I build this pc mainly with gaming in mind (directX 11)
Pc is dual boot openSUSE 12.3 64 bit, windows 7 pro 32 bit.

First question ( I want to use lmms on Linux)
For games it seems almost nobody uses a souncard anymore.
How about lmms ? Is it still better to use a soundcard ?

I am happy with the onboard sound, but I can't shake the feeling the sound was a tiny bit better with the soundblaster live.
In lmms It seems, I the hear allot more popping / cracks then before. (with instrument plugins)

Second question.
To connect a master midi keyboard to my pc, do I need a soundcard with midi connections?

Third question
What would be a good sound card for Linux.
Since steam came to Linux, I do not like to mess around with audio settings, because it might cause problems with the games on LInux.
Any thoughts on this ?

My "speakers" are a Sennheiser headset pc 160, and I do hear the difference between 128 kbps mp3 and 320 kbps mp3.
I also hear the difference between a cd and a 320 kbps mp3.
I want to get an even better Sennheiser, although I am a bit worried, that this headset will reveal even more the weak spot of mp3.
But I do know a solutions for that.

[midi-pascal]

Hi gps 2013,

1- As for your first question, I have no 'good' answer since I never use lmms with no soud card.

2- For the second one, I would suggest a MIDI keyboard either with built-in USB ports or a MIDI<->USB Interface: very good results, no install trouble, no drivers...
In fact, I use my dual keybord and pedal MIDI organ (Technics EN5) with an Edirol USB-MIDI Interface: very low $, no trouble: plug it and play!

3- A 'good' soundcard for Linux?
This is not a trivial question. It depens on if you route the sound through ALSA or something else, if you intend to have a Pro studio or if it is for a hobby.
I am a hobbyist and I use a SB Audigy 2 ZS Pro under Ubuntu 12.04 with very good results for my needs.
I know it is a pretty old sound card but almost all of its features are supported by the ALSA drivers, including its two internal wavetable synths.
I had to let go my good SB XFi because half of its features were not available to Linux and after a lot of Googling I bought this used Audigy for $10.00 and all worked perfectly after a simple reboot, even the 3D and equalizer features.
For a more serious job, I know there are a lot more expensive hardware well supported by Linux but I can not afford it

Please remember: These answers reflect only my personal experience since I am not a professional musician.
Hope this helps anyway.

[gps2013]

Thank you, that helped me allot.

I am not a pro either, would not mind becoming pro though

Right now I don't have money either, but will look around for sound cards.
I now know I do not need one with midi connection.
The master keyboards I saw, all had usb connections.

I remember there were sound cards with the chip of a synthesizer keyboard, but those might be well over my budget.
Even with a job.

I am also happy I found a page, explaining how I can make my song sound better.
Most songs I hear made with lmms sound very much, like its coming out of an computer.
And I now know that does not have to be so.

Off topic: Once saw a demonstration, AtariST with a Yamaha keyboard. ( cubase )
He used the mouse to deliberately, put some notes a bit out of time.
Before it was a very mechanical sound, after this it sounded like a real drummer

[midi-pascal]

Hi gps2013,

It's a pleasure to know I can help someone!

With a USB keyboard there is no problem.
You simply plug it, start lmms and the MIDI input is available to lmms.
I completely agree with you on that a lot of musical pieces have a computer 'smell'. Some like this style though.

When you record with a MIDI keyboard you can correct mistakes by using the lmms piano roll and also keep the liveness of the song.
That's what a good sequencer like lmms offers.

Long time ago I bought the Winjammer Pro MIDI sequencer (Windoze 95!) wich offers a 'Humanize' feature to remove the computerized feeling.
I still use it under Wine to make my prefered songs sound better.
Alas lmms is missing this feature...

Anyway, enjoy music and lmms!

[brandystarbrite]

In the pc I used back then there was a soundblaster live soundcard.
With my new pc, I use the onboard sound.

I may be a bit late to answer your question, but............ I can answer these questions.

With my new pc, I use the onboard sound.

What I would suggest, is that if the Onboard Sound Card works well for you. And gives you good quality sound.
Go for it with that.
However, the over use of onboard sound cards, can result in the "onboard sound card degrading over time."
And you "might," even find your motherboard giving problems too. That's the problem with "integrated," chips.
My suggestion, is not to use it too much though.

In the pc I used back then there was a soundblaster live soundcard.

If this is one of those "external non integrated Sound cards, that can also be used as a USB Sound card,"
I'd say pull out that sound card and use it in your "newer PC or Via plug in USB." Lol!

Note: That according to the Lmms Manual Pdf........Lmms can be used with almost any, cheap sound card.
So that explains it all.
If you're on a budget, buy any good quality cheapy Sound Card.
However, Just make sure it's not a Brand that will "konk out," on you to soon.
And make sure, it'll still give you good sound quality, which is most important, when making music.

Soundblaster is a great Soundcard though.

I am happy with the onboard sound, but I can't shake the feeling the sound was a tiny bit better with the soundblaster live.
In lmms It seems, I the hear allot more popping / cracks then before. (with instrument plugins)

Pops and Crackles? Well that explains it all.
External USB Sound Card it is then.

[sketchman3]

Have you tried increasing your buffer size to get rid of the pops and crackles?

[brandystarbrite]

Have you tried increasing your buffer size to get rid of the pops and crackles?

Oh crap! I forgot about that. Silly me! Lol!

[abszint]

Hi!

I use the LMMS software first time and my problem is that the exported music in wav or ogg is very low. Is that setting problem? I have win7 and integrated onboard soundcard (gigabyte).

Thx for your answer.

abszint

[brandystarbrite]

Thanks for that info.

However, just to clarify,...... what you said

my problem is that the exported music in wav or ogg is very low.

Do you mean that you're getting, "low sound quality," after exporting your music to WAV or ogg?
Please explain in more detail.

Also, Are you getting low sound quality when making music too?

[abszint]

No the sound quality only the volume. The exported file is quiter levels than what i edit in the Lmms. I tried with other program the problem is same.