Any SB Audigy 2 users out there know how to load Synth A & B

[johnnymegabyte]

Any SB Audigy 2 users out there know how to load Synth A & B ?

Mine is an OEM Version I got used, didn't know it was until I had trouble installing driver,s but that's now resolved. Model SB0359 = Audigy 2 ZS, but without MIDI port and 1394 port. A real A2ZS is SB0350.
24/96 recording and playback.

Everything is working great, 2 ms latency recording on some quick testing. BUT the Soundbank Manager doesn't seem to want to load any SF2 into Synth A or B, so I can use them in my sequencer (JAZZ++) for playback, and REAPER for recording (eventually). I don't want to be locked into the default Windows GM sounds. At least in REAPER, I can use a VST approach and connect a SF, but I only want MIDI for Drums and maybe some Pads, in spots. I do have a MIDI bassline, but that will be re-done with real bass guitar.

SOUNDBLASTER FORUM is useless, and maybe someone here has a clue.

[brandondrury]

2 ms latency recording on some quick testing.

Wow! I had no idea the Soundblaster stuff was capable of this. I'm surprised and impressed!

So are you intending to use the Sounblaster synths as if they are hardware? Let me explain. The VST instrument method will route the synth into the mixer of your recording software (for me that is Cubase SX3). If I was to use the Windows wavetable thingy, I know of no way to route that into Cubase. The only thing I would know to do is treat it like it's an external synth and route the outputs of the synth (the outputs of my audio interface) into the inputs of my audio interface.

What sequencer are you using?

Brandon

[johnnymegabyte]

Thanks for the reply.

First of all, I'm sort of new to multi-track recording and using "new" technology. Most everything I have is used, except my guitars.
I usually have 5 to 8 year old Dell PC's discarded from work, and have previously recording "jam" of MIDI and my guitar playing to Stereo track.
I have close to 500 cover songs (DL from Net) and created about 40 originals in MIDI using JAZZ++ freeware.
I got my ZOOM G7 in March, and a Dell P4 1.5Ghz last month. Installed XP Pro SP2 again, as I thought I could drop all my hardware + HD into the newer PC.
I was able to "see" the Zoom via USB on the older PC, but not able to yet after a few attempts with the P4. I also got a USB 2 PCI Card, whereas onboard USB is only 1.1. It works at 2.0 because files now transfer to my USB sticks in a "flash".

I just got a used SB Audigy 2 ZS (HP OEM) for $40 and started to see what Net resourses could help me do something "more" and get into the multi-track and tinker around with recording all these songs. Plus, the wife want to record her karaoke singing.

So, I've been playing with REAPER for a few weeks. Discovered a SF VST Player, where I can use SF that way. But, for now, I want to get (and just got it working last week .. loading SF into the two onboard hardware synths (A & B total of 92MB RAM) on the SB Audigy 2). I am using ASIO4ALL, and that's where it told me 2 ms. And when I was using my older SB, I was getting 480ms latency. No fun, and went nowhere ... until the last few weeks.
Now that I have SF loaded into the soundfont MIDI banks, I have 6 MIDI options. Microsoft MIDI, SB Synth A, B and Soft Synth, and SFZ Soundfont player and VSTi.

Primarily, I will be using MIDI for drums and pads. But, at presnt, I create them with bass, piano etc (no guitars) ... so I could jam along ... on guitar. For recording, I am planning to play real bass + I have a Roland D70 (rag tag old gear).

[brandondrury]

Discovered a SF VST Player, where I can use SF that way. But

So why did you switch? I'm confused on that one. I still don't know how you plan to route the synth from your Audigy into your recording software.

Brandon

[johnnymegabyte]

Well, I used to have a Soundblaster PCI-128 ... for 7 years, and I think it came out in 1997. It could do MIDI sounds in REAPER and I tried Digital Sound Planet Quartz Audio Master (free Edition) where the soundcard has one synth chip on the soundcard, so I have a choice of the 2/4/8MB Sound GM/GS or the one with Windows. Just about any other alternative was better, cept the 8MB sounds were "O tay". And of course, the VST route and Virtual Sound Canvas Plug-in blew it away, too. Maybe slightly better than on-board audio

I am pretty sure using the 2 synths on the Audigy 2 soundcard, will lower CPU compared to VST, as the card does the DSP via the synth chips, not via CPU.
Features like 24/96 recording, 108dBA SNR made the $40 investment attractive compared to what I had before. At least, I'm getting somewhere.

When I can afford more gear, I will look at alternatives to multi-input USB or Firewire alternatives. But for now, two mono inputs or (L+R) Stereo will suffice in my one-man-quest to music domination
As a computer programmer for a record company, the industry is all over the place, and keeping it as a hobby and trying to having a stable home-life ( I got 4 kids, 2 boys in their 20's, and 2 girls 18 and 4 )

The two boys are guitar players, too. One is a great singer, but school is #1 priority.