Virus Rack XL

[JimmyRabid]

Safe cheers jasedee, so really I can run it on a soundcard without midi ports,I've got a bit of spare cash to get sum other stuff like a controller/soundcard etc but would rather put it into a decent set of monitors,know what I mean

[djencode]

no no i think you miss the point. the way the rack xl works, you need something with midi to control it. be it a midi keyboard or a sound card or a midi interface. what sound card are you using currently?


no point in getting monitors if your sound card isn't up to standard. also for monitors, i have tannoy reveal 6d's and they are amazing. check out the 5a's as they would be good as an entry monitor

[JimmyRabid]

Haha yea such a newbie aye,well ya see this purchase was made rather fast or I would've missed it,so I hav'nt got all the extra bits of gear yet.

The card I've got is a Creative Virbra 128 has line in/out, mic in and joystick/midi port.The midi port is a 15 pin,So I take it I need a midi to 15 pin cable ?

I can either get a new sound card and controller or get some monitors and just wait to get some more cash together to get the Xl running proper.

Reason I want the monitors is because I'm still writing beats with or without the XL and really need some better monitors.

Just had a look at the MOTU interfaces, so by using one of these your connecting the XL with midi cables to the interface then via a USB port to the PC,so you don't realy need a sound card with midi ports because your using a USB port or have I got this all wrong.haha

[djencode]

if you get a motu ultralite for example, it has one midi in and one midi out, and connects to your computer via firewire. use headphones with it for now and get monitors later

[JimmyRabid]

Thanks to all that answered my questions.Picked up the XL yesterday,very happy when the seller took me through the sounds it can produce.

So I've decided to get a M-AUDIO MIDISPORT 2X2 USB MIDI INTERFACE,its got two in's and outs and a Korg K series controller.Both within budget so very happy with that.Can someone confirm this will allow me to run the XL through my PC and record the sounds from the XL.I know I sound like a complete Noob but the shop I've been dealing with keep trying to up sell me to expenisve soundcards and never answer my question.Cheers

[djencode]

unless you got 1/4" ins on your current sound card on your computer you're kind of hooped. which is why i suggested purchasing something like an ultralite or a firewire 410 as midi only transmits control data, it doesn't transmit sound. with a external audio card via firewire or usb2.0, you can have te midi interface on te card, and the 1/4" ins and outs to send and recieve audio.

[jasedee]

The MIDI-Sports are notoriously SHITE!!!! Bad timing, useless drivers etc..

In this game, it really does pay to spend a little extra...you get reliability. Which is probably why your local music shop is trying to get you to spend some cash.

[JimmyRabid]

Cheers guys,good to know,if I got a M-AUDIO AUDIOPHILE 2496 PCI SOUNDCARD would that be sweet for running the XL and will I still need a midi interface?

I just found this Motu Micro Express Serial midi interface but it has a parallel port to connect to your PC,something tells me this is'nt very good and why its going cheap ?

[jasedee]

Originally Posted by JimmyRabid

Cheers guys,good to know,if I got a M-AUDIO AUDIOPHILE 2496 PCI SOUNDCARD would that be sweet for running the XL and will I still need a midi interface?

That would be just sufficient. Ideally, you'd want at least TRS 1/4" inputs instead of RCA's. But yeah, that'll get you off the ground

[JimmyRabid]

Yea think the m audio 192 will be better because of the 1/4" in/outs.
Just reading the manual bout Sounddriver says it needs to be connected both midi in and out to work,do you have the controller on the midi thru on the XL?