[00:09] <eric_> I've got a new sound card installed (SoundBlaster Live 5.1) with u_studio 14 and I just get a buzz from outputs, at same volume - whatever I do with the volume settings. But the Volume Control window shows (only) the new card is recognised. Is this a) faulty card b)something to do with static on card c) because i have to re-sett IRQ/mem location/DMQ .    If b) or c) how do I start to deal with that? Thanks for your time
[00:10] <eric_> start got cut  - was 'new sound card just installed ..'
[01:59] <holstein> eric_: none of that will effect the sound quality
[02:00] <holstein> irq's are just that.. interrupt ports.. and, though, i have seen bad setttings cause what is basically a "jitter" sound, or "skipping", im assuming thats not what you are talking about
[02:00] <holstein> eric_: i would try and record the sounds you hear, and maybe a volunteer can assist, but, basically, i have a couple tips/suggestions
[02:00] <holstein> a. if its making any sound,then, its not a driver issue
[02:01] <holstein> b. get some cheapy USB audio device.. something with a mic preamp.. it'll bump up your audio quality a lot
[02:01] <holstein> the sb's are not made for getting audio into the computer
[02:13] <eric_> holstein - Thanks, quality - all I get is buzz so there's nothing at all otherwise,I was playing mp3 files - shouldn't sb play that through headphones from its output?
[02:14] <holstein> eric_: i know, mine did
[02:14] <holstein> eric_: but, its old, and i gave it away a long time ago
[02:14] <holstein> eric_: here are some questions you can ask yourself, and help diagnose
[02:15] <holstein> 1. has it *ever* worked for you.. that particular device.. has it ever been functional?
[02:15] <holstein> 2. how are you monitoring? with known good headphones?
[02:15] <holstein> 3. has it ever worked with linux
[02:16] <holstein> 4. are you sure its not a problem with the connections.. the connection to the pci slot, or the break-out box.. etc ..any of the analog connections
[02:16] <holstein> personally, if you have *any* other internal audio device, and its working, id just use it
[02:16] <holstein> the sb is not any more appropriate for audio production
[02:17] <holstein> if you are not doing audio production, i suggest main ubuntu or xubuntu.. there will be a larger community for general hardware support there
[02:18] <eric_> 1 -never worked 2 just tried with other headphones - same; both are fine otherwise; 3 this card from ebay few days ago; 4 tried reconnecting card, tried compressed air on slot/contacts; Audio production; well I bought if for midi keyboad but I assumed this wasn't working as it should and haven't tried synth with it yet
[02:19] <holstein> eric_: if its not a "known good" device, then i suggest not assuming the issue is with the drivers
[02:20] <holstein> eric_: if the hardware is broken, which is likely, since its older, and was just shipped, then, you will not fix it with software tweaks
[02:20] <holstein> eric_: typically, with most hardware, and, with all 3 of the sb 5.1's i came into contact with, the drivers were just there.. in the kernel.. no need to add or tweak
[02:20] <holstein> just worked "out of the box"
[02:21] <holstein> eric_: i say, if your goal is audio production, id just call that DOA, and see if you can get your money back, and get something appropriate for audio production
[02:22] <eric_> I saw many very good reviews of card and some mentioned good output as well. And static build up when I installed it ? - coulactually I'm asking because although seller is giving me another one I don't know if this could easily happen again - and then isn't sellers fault (negotiating terms for return)
[02:22] <holstein> eric_: no doubt, its a "good" card
[02:22] <eric_> i meant 'actually I'm asking..'
[02:23] <holstein> eric_: its just not appropriate for audio production
[02:23] <holstein> eric_: its a fine card. for skype.. etc.. normal desktop audio. and playing files
[02:23] <holstein> eric_: if you want to do audio production, its no better than an internal audio device
[02:23] <eric_> did buy it for synth
[02:24] <holstein> sure.. so, get something more appropriate for "synth
[02:24] <holstein> it doesnt faciliate low latency, so, you cant use software synths with it
[02:25] <holstein> it doesnt have any "better" quality outputs, so, its not more appropriate for using those software synths in a studio environment
[02:25] <holstein> it doesnt have any "better" inputs.. doesnt faciliate a higher resolution, not that you need that
[02:25] <eric_> no low latency really, not sure what you mean by 'software synth' you mean software like musescore?
[02:25] <holstein> the USB device i keep referencing will serve you well
[02:25] <holstein> eric_: i mean, just that
[02:26] <holstein> eric_: you press your keyboard, and a software instrument is triggered.. a "synth" application
[02:26] <holstein> eric_: the SB live doesnt provide low enough latency to do "synth" work
[02:26] <holstein> the sb live is not the righht tool for you
[02:27] <eric_> I'd earlier bought a midi-usb cable which didn't work , but then maybe the cable was faulty- my internal sound controller (16-18/20 bit) maybe better with musescore/lmms synth?
[02:27] <eric_> I mean with a replaced usb-midi cable?
[02:28] <eric_> I thought I had to buy sound card to get synth midi to work with computer, but I don't know
[02:30] <holstein> eric_: you dont
[02:30] <holstein> eric_: but, you can, and should buy something more appropriate for audio production
[02:30] <holstein> the soundblaster is *not* that
[02:30] <holstein> its just a better version of your internal audio device
[02:30] <holstein> eric_: but, i keep repeating myself
[02:31] <holstein> eric_: you can check #opensourcemusicians
[02:31] <holstein> you wont find anyone, including creative that created the soundblaster, that states that device is for audio production
[02:31] <holstein> there are many cheap-ish, good valuel usb device that i mention you should explore
[02:32] <holstein> i understand, and agree, the soundblaster should work, and i have encountered about 10 of them in the past, and they "just work" with linux
[02:32] <holstein> out of the box
[02:32] <holstein> so, when you say, you just got that random card, and i konw its old, and was shipped recently.. i say, sounds like its broken
[02:33] <holstein> if you dont think so, keep testing.. ideally, with windows, which creative promised support for
[02:33] <eric_> so external sound device with usb input with mic pre-amp- ok I'll look into that, thanks for help, but got to go now,
[02:33] <holstein> if you try the device on the operating system that the creator promised support for, and with the driver they create, and it is till not working, then, you *know* its bad
[02:34] <holstein> i am just trying to take a few steps back from that, since, the soundblaster doent faciliate the job you are tyring to do
[21:24] <maxtix> c