Digital Audio and Home Recording in Windows Vista
Geoffrey Resnick, a professional voice-over talent, recently asked if I was aware of any USB or Firewire digital audio interfaces that were compatible with Vista or supported by Microsoft. Since my initial research didn't yield any positive results, I asked Geoffrey if he wouldn't mind if I posted his question on the blog.
In his own words, Geoffrey asks:
"Since Windows Vista is so new on the market, I've been having some difficulty finding a USB or Firewire interface for my computer that is Vista compatible. I'm wondering if you guys have any idea when they are releasing updated drivers for Vista. I have the recording software, finally! Just to let you know and for anybody else that has Vista, it's Sound Forge 9."
He also notes that during his own research on the latest launching of Microsoft Visa and audio interfaces, "it appears that every retail store has Windows Vista on every computer, which basically means that XP and others ( Microsoft operating systems ) will most likely be obsolete in the near future."
Have you had any experience with Microsoft Vista and your home recording studio?
Help Geoffrey by adding your comments below.
Comments
Hi,
I use Adobe Audition 2.0 and Cool Edit 2.1 on my computer. I have Windows Vista Premium as the OS.
In order for these programs to work, I downloaded an AISO driver at: http://www.asio4all.com/
Since then, everything works well...it is however, recommended to have at least 1 gig of RAM to run Audition.
Hope this helps.
Posted by: Blair Wilson | June 27, 2007 2:18 PM
M-Audio just release 32-bit Vista drivers for a lot of their devices... still don't seem to have 64-bit support, but I'm sure it's coming. As for software, Ableton Live works, as does Audacity for simple wav editing. Logic 5.5, which was dropped years ago by Apple, is still imho the best general recording/multitrack composition tool around... and Vista won't run it.
A
Posted by: Alex | July 10, 2007 6:45 PM
I'm a Microsoft Certified Trainer & SE, and this has been a frustration for me and my efforts to put together a Vista based digital recording environment. One solution that is available outside of the M-Audio realm is the Presonus FP10 (formerly the FirePod) which does offer drivers for both 32-bit and 64-bit editions... and if I'm not mistaken, the new version of Sonar likes the 64-bit environment. Now, if I can just get my guitar synthesizer to work with Reason 4.0 when it comes out...
Posted by: Bob Reinsch | August 16, 2007 9:15 AM
I'm in the same boat... I'm a professional voice-over artist and my old rig had a meltdown. Trying to find a new computer is the biggest pain!! I can't get Windows XP anywhere. My old Echo Mia soundcard had a good quality sound and I'd love to continue using it. But it's been discontinued, so I'm sure they'll never update the drivers for Vista, and I don't know what new stuff to buy.
Posted by: Jan Ochs | September 17, 2007 11:51 AM
This is a HUGE problem me!!! I am supposed to be recording a new project and my old computer crashed. I now have a velocity which is using windows vista. My old steinberg vsl 2020 soundcard is no longer working and I have no idea what to do. What is working and what is not? I will be using Adobe audition for my sound editing. What about a soundcard? Delta 1010 I know is good but is it compatible. Any advice?
Posted by: Nathan | January 8, 2008 11:20 PM
If you're considering a new soundcard, I'd suggest researching soundcards that are Vista-compatible.
In the United State, I hear the service specialists at Zzzounds are very knowledgeable. Steve's music in Toronto Canada is also very good if you're Canadian.
Call around to a few audio equipment stores before spending any money and ask the right questions until you're happy and confident you're making the right move.
Posted by: David | January 9, 2008 4:50 PM
I ALSO HAVE VISTA ON MY LAPTOP AND I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY SOUND CARD WHEN RECORDING. IT DOES HAVE A POPPING SOUND WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING BACK WHAT YOU RECORDED. I HAVE A CREATIVE SOUNDBLASTER X-FI Xtreme Audio Notebook AND I UPDATE THE SOFTWARE BUT I'M STILL HAVING THE POPPING PROBLEM. CAN ANYONE ASSIST ME ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
Posted by: AUSTIN FREEMAN | January 30, 2008 9:59 AM
Help. I've got a new Dell XPS laptop. I have been using Audacity w/ the built in mic. Pretty good for on-the-fly recording. But all of a sudden, the Audacity recordings play back in a sped up form, like the chipmunks. Help. I am using Vista Ultimate.
jeff.
Posted by: jeffk | April 20, 2008 9:42 AM
Hi Jeffk,
Thank you for commenting. I suggest you checkout the Audacity support and forums and see if there is a solution to your query there.
You can find them here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | April 21, 2008 8:55 AM
I called a couple of the larger music retailers last week and the unanimous answer was there is no product with CERTIFIED drivers available at this time. Seems that Vista will not be the audio platform of choice - at least not for the manufacturers. I tried to install an Mbox on a Vista notebook and it is a no go. And of course all the hardware on the new boxes were designed for Vista so XP drivers might not be available for a retrograde. Microsoft screws the pooch again.
Posted by: Greg Forest, Cowtown, Texas | May 12, 2008 12:05 PM
I found a site that tests some of the current audio products. M-Audio products should be 64 bit compatible now. I'm buying the FastTrack at BestBuy for 99.00 for my mobile setup for my podcast.
Here's the link:
http://www.rainrecording.com/vista/
Hopefully, you'll find some help here.
Posted by: Ron Stroope | June 8, 2008 12:10 PM
The simplest solution: Buy a Mac
Posted by: The Biz Reader | June 20, 2008 6:36 PM