ASIO Terms, Please help me with these !

nagukush · #1 May 15th, 2006

Hi All

Kindly help me with the following terms :

In the Image below, what do the following terms mean :

1. Block Size [frames]
2. Resolution : 16 bit (LSB)
3. Sample Rate
4. Pre-Load Ammount

Please tell me, what are these and How will changing them affect my Recording ?
Kindly advice.

Thanks and Best Regards
Kush

nocat · #2 May 15th, 2006

Block Size [frames] = Video resolution/quality... how many frames per second video will be recorded at.

Resolution : 16 bit (LSB) = The bit depth of the cards analog to digital converter.

Sample Rate = The frequency at which the recorded sound will be sampled... Higher sample rates yield better sound quality, but require much more processing power.

Pre-Load Amount = buffer size for samples.

These are standard settings for recording, Kush... You can experiment with them to find
the optimal settings for your system... Though I would recommend you leave them as
they are...

The one thing you should adjust is in your ASIO control panel, if you haven't yet...!!!
Try Setting it to 10ms or less... if you start to hear crackling in your sound, increase
the time until the distortion stops... this will be the best setting for your system...

Hope this helps...!!!

Cheers
Ben

nagukush · #3 May 15th, 2006

Hi Ben

Thanks for that explanation. As you've said, I will not experiment with those values now. What you've said is this, Is'nt it ?

If yes, I will try to experiment with this. Thank you so much Ben

If I may ask one more thing, As you know I'm learning and playing only Fingerstyle-Guitar Arrangments, which do not need Backing Tracks or any other Sounds in the background etc, and hence does that mean I dont need Multi-Track Recording ? Is there any other software which uses ASIO and is Ideal for Single-Track Recording. I dont mind purchasing it too (if required). Or should I use this Multi-Track recording software itself for my Purpose. Please advice whether there is any better software that'll suit me.

Kindest Regards
Kush

nocat · #4 May 15th, 2006

Yes, it seems you have it set at 20ms. Try it at 10ms... The lower the number, the less
time it takes between when you play a note and you actually hear it after it's been processed...

As far as multitrack Vs single track... More is better, you never know, one day you may
want to record an accompaniment to a piece you are working on, or maybe a vocal track...
Fingerstyle doesnt necessarily have to be just one guitar... you can record
a track and then add another with counter melodies or accents or perhaps an orchestra
playing the counterpoint to your playing... With the amount of VST and VSTi pluggin software
that exists, the possibilities are endless, so don't limit your self into thinking that there is a
specific way to do something, and only one way... Play around with different things, let your
imagination fly... I believe that your imagination and creativity will require more than one track...!!!

Cheers
Ben

nagukush · #5 May 15th, 2006

Hi Ben

Thanks for the encouragment Pal !!! You really care so much

, I'm truly blessed to have a Pal like you. Thanks again for being so Kind

I understand and I will keep all options open for me. I will learn Multi-Track recording to its fullest, as you've said, why should one limit his imagination, when the "Sky is the limit"

I'm really blessed that My Guitar-Hero as my Caring Buddy

Kindest Regards
Kush