Audio Equipment w/ computers?

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:02 am

I'm looking to use a computer to rip and play playlists on some high end sound equipment. I'm not much of an audiophile so I don't know much about getting quality sound.

Will the sound card I use matter much? If so what do I look for in a sound card?

Also what bitrate should I consider? 128 seems to be the norm but some people encode them in the 300's. Also some change the bitrate depending on the section of the song. Any suggestions there?

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:08 am

Define "high end sound equipment".

What is your source to the audio gear? MP3 player? CD? Straight from computer? CD will be your best bet; highest sampling rate, lowest signal to noise ratio, best dynamic range. MP3s use a lossy compression format, so they actually have a bit less quality, but hardly noticable to the average ear.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:07 pm

...you have 2 routes out of your computer; Analog and Digital

If you use the Line-out (using a 1/16" plug to RCA plug adapter) that is analog. You can plug this into your receiver or amp or preamp's inputs (anything exceptr a phono or mic input). Then just select that device to hear the PC. The PC will have an output volume control (in your PC's control panel) that can be used to adjust the maximum output. It is advisable to set the output volume such that when the sound system is turned all the way up, you will not overdriver your speakers.

If you get a digital soundcard (or in some cases use your USB connection) the sound quality will be better, and volume levels need not be set.

Not too sure about the bit rates, more is usually better (but takes much more space)

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:24 pm

Define "high end sound equipment".

Good point. It's not mine so I don't know all the details but I am taking care of the computer portion because I don't think anyone is really much of an audiophile anyway. I know the cost was in the 1000's and they use it for small clubs and parties. It's not for large concerts but it's supposedly high end for what it's for. That's about all I know. I'd like the computer output to be higher quality than would be noticeable on this sort of system, if possible.

If you get a digital soundcard (or in some cases use your USB connection) the sound quality will be better, and volume levels need not be set.

So I should go digital sound card, unless the system accepts USB input? What sort of software with output a digital signal over USB or would those specs come with the sound system we have? Are there specs I should look for in a digi sound card or are they all about the same anyway (I guess a digital signal is a digital signal as long as the throughput is high enough)? Do most systems accept digital in? What sort of cable does that usually use?

Not too sure about the bit rates, more is usually better (but takes much more space)

Not too worried about space. I could go wav file for ones I rip I guess. Some of the MP3s DJs put up are varying in bitrate, and I'd also like to know which ones to discard. But also if some bitrate won't have noticeable sound difference with our system, I might as well make those.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:06 pm

...the digital soundcard won't do you much good unless the Hi-Fi system you are borrowing has a digital input or there is a high quality Digital > Analog convertor. You can tell if the hi-fi system has a digital input by looking at the back for one or more of the following;

a single RCA type connector (not a L & R) that usually is marked digital and usually yellow somewhere. This is a Spdif style, uses a shielded cable for both right and left channels.

a single XLR style (3 pin) also usually marked digital. If there is a left and a right XLR connector then it is an analog output and not digital

an optical connector

or a USB connector (like firewire)

in these cases you can utilize a digital hookup. Otherwise you will have to use the analog option, which sounds fine if you set it up correctly.

Token · Post by **Token** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:36 pm

MikeVDS wrote:I'm looking to use a computer to rip and play playlists

To RIP: The sound card is not involved. The computer will read the digital data from the CD directly without passing through the sound card. The data can be then compressed by your computer using any number of compression CODECS. These CODECS can be MP3, MP3 Pro, AAC, WMA, WMA Pro etc. There are a ton to choose form.

Im gonna assume you have a Windows Box and not a Mac.

MP3 can go from 32 to 320 KBps. It is lossy. MP3 Pro is a bit better but again lossy.

WMA and WMA Pro can run from 32 to ~ 1500 KBps. Can be specified as lossy or lossless compression. If you select lossless it will be as close to the original as possible but it will be bigger than MP3. Get the drift?

I personally would choose 320Kbps MP3 Variable Bit Rate.

To Play: Any modern computer built in the last three years will have a decent sound card that will play Line Level compliant output. Unless you actually have a problem with your sound card (which can happen, due to many reasons, noisy power supply, bad ground etc), stick with the built in card.

If you have noise, static or other anomalies on your sound card, you can get an add-on sound card. You choices go from $20 to $1000. Since you are not interested in a ASIO certified sub 1ms delay sequencer with digital optical in and out and 192KHz Burr-Brown DACs... Your run of the mill Turtle Beach or Creative Labs sound card will likely be fine in the sub $100 range.

Do not spend too much time thinking about the sound card unless there is a problem with what you got already. The RIPping and compression you choose will have by far a much bigger impact if your PC is not some old gear from the past millennium.

T

Mushroom · Post by **Mushroom** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:06 am

To be honest (as my best friend the sound/ monitor tech says) it all comes down to how much you want to spend. Once you have a budget set up then do some research, learn what your present computer can do see what needs to be vamped and what is fine the way it is. If after all these people you still want some help msg me and i'll try get you intouch with him.

On that note what is there for an audio/ tech geek that is never seen with out a laptop or PSP etc at BM?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:14 am

How about the non-audio part of burning man?

Mushroom · Post by **Mushroom** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:57 pm

gyre wrote:How about the non-audio part of burning man?

I'm not sure what you mean... actually I'm gunna start a new thread for this.

Zane5100 · Post by **Zane5100** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:40 am

What he means is that your friend may want to seriously consider putting the laptop down and go explore the city to experience and participate in other people's creativity instead of doing what he could do in the comfort of their home with a refrigerator, flush toilet, running hot/cold water, a shower, and a real bed that isn't covered in BO and playa funk while being able to eat out, get delivery, or fix their favorite food on a moment's notice without having to clean off the playa dust and the residue of whatever mystery liquid has been spilled on it.

If all you're doing is going out there to do is play with a computer, ya might want to think really hard about why the hell you're going out there to begin with.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:32 am

There is TONS out there for the geek. Seems like a very large portion of the early arrivers are technically gifted in one way or another. Later in the week the density of them seems to thin out. I'm assuming this is because they need to get their early to put together all their cool crap. Just look for the cool stuff then try to find the guys who made it. They are usually more than willing to talk geek and show off their hard work.

Finnegan · Post by **Finnegan** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:03 pm

I have seen any number of things with "parts" destroyed by the dust out there. Take only what you are willing to part with. Really, the playa will kill your electronics, given the chance.

Mushroom · Post by **Mushroom** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:18 pm

Unkl knok wrote:I have seen any number of things with "parts" destroyed by the dust out there. Take only what you are willing to part with. Really, the playa will kill your electronics, given the chance.

LOL thats what I said!

Audio Equipment w/ computers?

Audio Equipment w/ computers?

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