best input to use

ash · Mar 3, 2004, 02:00 AM

i've recently aquired a mixing desk with two stereo outputs but i'm not sure which inputs to connect it to. i was just wondering if any of the analogue audio inputs (Line 1, Line 2 or Aux 2) were any better or worse (in terms of codecs used etc) than the others. I'm using an audigy 1 platinum ex. apologies if this is a naive question.

Sonic-Sam · Mar 3, 2004, 07:19 AM

HI :

I didn't make alot of tests with those audigy boards but it seems like all analog sorces have the same noise floor (its about -68 db ), but since the line1 is attached to the main PCI board i think it will have the lower signal-to-noise ratio (being the closest to the main ADC chip ),

And i think you have to use a noisegate anyhow when dealing with analogue sorces..

hope that helps

Sam

refraction · Mar 3, 2004, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sonic-Sam
HI :

I didn't make alot of tests with those audigy boards but it seems like all analog sorces have the same noise floor (its about -68 db ), but since the line1 is attached to the main PCI board i think it will have the lower signal-to-noise ratio (being the closest to the main ADC chip ),

And i think you have to use a noisegate anyhow when dealing with analogue sorces..

hope that helps

Sam

tbh analogue cables generate a lot of noise, unless you spend a fortune on gold plated cables you will get a fair bit of noise. if your mixer supports it try connecting it up via SPDIF, that should illiminate most chances of any noise being generated

Sonic-Sam · Mar 3, 2004, 05:32 PM

i don't think Gold-plated cables can lower any noise with those creative junks .... I've tried this before . believe it or not, the noise floor stayed the same about -60 to - 64 db , Try this : disconnect any plug out from your card and open Sound Forge in recored monitoring position and chose your record source and watch the signal ratio,
Though about three years ago the fisrt thing that forced me to purchase the SBLive! was : " A NOISE FLOOR ABOUT -118 db " written on the package and silmply it was a big lie.

S.A.

Daniel Drummond · Mar 3, 2004, 05:42 PM

The noise floor isn't -118db even when thses cards are turned off hehehehe Just couldn't resist to say that...

kokoon · Mar 3, 2004, 08:33 PM

gold doesnt reduce noise at all. in fact, its even more noisier.

S_Milton · Mar 3, 2004, 09:28 PM

Hi Ash,

Your question is not naive,
I have the same card Audigy 1 with external Drive and this is what ia have found
Line 1 ( on the card) -72 dB noise floor
Aux In 2 (on the drive RCA connectors) -84 dB
Line/Mic 2 (on the drive 1/4 Phono) -82 dB

Line 1 (on the card) using the "AC97_2" trick -81 dB

The ADCs on the Drive are much better than the AC97 on the card, so use the Aux 2 as your primary option (AC97_2 option activates a better ADC on the card)
Using the External Drive is bettr also because the AD convertion is done outside the computer minimizing the electrical noise from power supply,etc.

MS

Nando Dominguez · Mar 4, 2004, 12:13 AM

Save the cable's money for having some beers and get better humor when the soundblaster noise impact in your face. Of course gold cables are convenient, but not so much.

Nando Dominguez · Mar 4, 2004, 12:18 AM

Might be an alloy of platinum-chrome with some hairs of my neighbour could give us a 120 db s/n

S_Milton · Mar 4, 2004, 03:33 AM

No, all of you are wrong

THIS is the Real McCoy
http://www.homegrownaudio.com/diva.htm

I could imagine myself, sitting side by side with Aunt Amelia, she polishing her silverware and I polishing my CABLEWARE (with lemon and salt) every three months. ;-)

Gold is good for corrosion not conduction, and in that respect they are very good.

meroveus · Mar 4, 2004, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sonic-Sam

Though about three years ago the fisrt thing that forced me to purchase the SBLive! was : " A NOISE FLOOR ABOUT -118 db " written on the package and silmply it was a big lie.

S.A.

Creative must have been referring to the noise floor of the E-Mu 10k chip.

Mar 3, 2004, 02:00 AM	#1
ash DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	best input to use i've recently aquired a mixing desk with two stereo outputs but i'm not sure which inputs to connect it to. i was just wondering if any of the analogue audio inputs (Line 1, Line 2 or Aux 2) were any better or worse (in terms of codecs used etc) than the others. I'm using an audigy 1 platinum ex. apologies if this is a naive question.

Mar 3, 2004, 05:42 PM	#5
Daniel Drummond DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Brazil Posts: 1,137 Rep Power: 0	The noise floor isn't -118db even when thses cards are turned off hehehehe Just couldn't resist to say that... __________________ www.palcomp3.com.br/ed

Mar 3, 2004, 08:33 PM	#6
kokoon DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: slovenia Posts: 269 Rep Power: 0	gold doesnt reduce noise at all. in fact, its even more noisier. __________________ [kokoon]

Mar 3, 2004, 09:28 PM	#7
S_Milton DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 70 Rep Power: 0	ASH Best Input Audigy 1 Hi Ash, Your question is not naive, I have the same card Audigy 1 with external Drive and this is what ia have found Line 1 ( on the card) -72 dB noise floor Aux In 2 (on the drive RCA connectors) -84 dB Line/Mic 2 (on the drive 1/4 Phono) -82 dB Line 1 (on the card) using the "AC97_2" trick -81 dB The ADCs on the Drive are much better than the AC97 on the card, so use the Aux 2 as your primary option (AC97_2 option activates a better ADC on the card) Using the External Drive is bettr also because the AD convertion is done outside the computer minimizing the electrical noise from power supply,etc. MS __________________ MS

Mar 4, 2004, 03:33 AM	#10
S_Milton DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 70 Rep Power: 0	No, all of you are wrong THIS is the Real McCoy http://www.homegrownaudio.com/diva.htm I could imagine myself, sitting side by side with Aunt Amelia, she polishing her silverware and I polishing my CABLEWARE (with lemon and salt) every three months. ;-) Gold is good for corrosion not conduction, and in that respect they are very good. __________________ MS

Mar 3, 2004, 07:19 AM	#2
Sonic-Sam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	HI : I didn't make alot of tests with those audigy boards but it seems like all analog sorces have the same noise floor (its about -68 db ), but since the line1 is attached to the main PCI board i think it will have the lower signal-to-noise ratio (being the closest to the main ADC chip ), And i think you have to use a noisegate anyhow when dealing with analogue sorces.. hope that helps Sam

Mar 3, 2004, 05:32 PM	#4
Sonic-Sam DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	i don't think Gold-plated cables can lower any noise with those creative junks .... I've tried this before . believe it or not, the noise floor stayed the same about -60 to - 64 db , Try this : disconnect any plug out from your card and open Sound Forge in recored monitoring position and chose your record source and watch the signal ratio, Though about three years ago the fisrt thing that forced me to purchase the SBLive! was : " A NOISE FLOOR ABOUT -118 db " written on the package and silmply it was a big lie. S.A.

Mar 4, 2004, 12:13 AM	#8
Nando Dominguez DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 280 Rep Power: 0	Save the cable's money for having some beers and get better humor when the soundblaster noise impact in your face. Of course gold cables are convenient, but not so much.

Mar 4, 2004, 12:18 AM	#9
Nando Dominguez DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 280 Rep Power: 0	Might be an alloy of platinum-chrome with some hairs of my neighbour could give us a 120 db s/n