3 replies to this topic

[maspa]

I am concerned that my laptop's (Dell Latitude D620) line in input is not stereo and is really meant for a microphone as opposed to music.  I have my analog audio system hooked up to a Tascam US 122 USB 2.0 audio MIDI interface that allows me to input into my USB port.  Does anyone know if 1) there is a qualitative difference between line-in vs USB and 2) if Creator 2009's Easy Audio Capture recognizes a USB input?

gracias

[ggrussell]

The difference between line in and USB would be where the digitizing takes place.  With Line In, your sound card will be doing the analog to digital conversion.  With USB, the device would be doing that.  As for 'quality', that would depend on the two devices.  There are good and bad in both categories.

As for Roxio recognizing the USB device, the audio capture app should recognize any device that has a proper Windows device for audio capturing.  I say 'should'. There are always instances where bad drives don't work.

[maspa]

The difference between line in and USB would be where the digitizing takes place.  With Line In, your sound card will be doing the analog to digital conversion.  With USB, the device would be doing that.  As for 'quality', that would depend on the two devices.  There are good and bad in both categories.

As for Roxio recognizing the USB device, the audio capture app should recognize any device that has a proper Windows device for audio capturing.  I say 'should'. There are always instances where bad drives don't work.

Thank you for your reply;  Roxio did recognize the Tascam MIDI interface unit once I loaded the drivers, so it gives the option of inputing through either the sound card's line in or through the USB;  I assume based on your comment that the USB does not use the soundcard to do the analog to digital conversion, that must happpen through the Tascam unit;  
do you know if there is any way to confirm if my sound card's line in is a stereo jack, or is it mono and the sound card does its own conversion to mimic stereo?

many thanks

[ggrussell]

Most sound cards in the past 5 years or so are true stereo.  Even the microphone on my machine is stereo.