Ultralite connectivity basic questions please

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. with Windows
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user123
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 6:51 am
Primary DAW OS: Unspecified

Ultralite connectivity basic questions please

Post by user123 »

PC specs: AMD 64 bit X2 4400+, Asus motherboard, 1G corsair DDR400Mhz memory, SB audigy 2, logitec 500w 5.1 surround speakers, Windows XP SP2

I just want to use the UL to play my guitar with.

I was hoping I could drive the ultralite output through my logictech 5.1 computer speakers but I guess not?

Can I use a main out to drive my marshall cabinet? I guess I have to run it through an amp or pre-amp first?
ImpactEE
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 8:17 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS

Post by ImpactEE »

You could use the main output of the UL for your Marshall cabinet, but you would need to run it through an amplifier first. The output of the Ultralite is just normal line level.
You should be able to hear the output through your computer speakers without making any further connections.
You might do a little research on the FireWire/Windows PC issue, though.
There are some problems with Windows XP SP2 and FireWire, and it would be helpful to know what chipset you have for your FireWire. Texas Instruments/Lucent chipsets seem to be preferred. There have been a lot of reports of pops and clicks/or just not being able to connect on Windows machines in certain configurations.
Also, if the only thing you want to do is play/record your guitar through your PC, there are probably some less expensive options for you. It sounds like you would only need a 2x2 instead of the 10x14 on the UL.

Best of luck!
user123
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 6:51 am
Primary DAW OS: Unspecified

Post by user123 »

I have a firewire 1394 connection both on the motherboard and on the SB Audigy 2 card. Windows recognizes the UL on either connection, and the drivers loaded ok. I can bring up the Audio setup etc...

I have two 1394 firewire connections as mentioned, one is TI OHCI compliant IEEE Host Controller, and one is just an OHCI compliant IEEE Host Controller. The later is the one on the MB I suppose : Asus Tek 1394a OHCI link layer controller.

Motherboard is Asus A8N-SLI Premium with PCI PCIe USB/Firewire 1394i2c SMBus. Chipset: AMD athlon 64 / Opteron HTT.

Both firewire controllers are running at 400Mhz, the Audigy 2 does not have enhanced support. I notice I have to power the UL externally if I use the Audigy 2 firewire connection. Version for both is 1.10.

So the UL does pump audio out through the firewire? I was thinking that maybe it was just used for software control. But yeah, I'd love to use my surround speakers for my guitar.
Thanks.
ImpactEE
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 8:17 pm
Primary DAW OS: MacOS

Post by ImpactEE »

Yep, the FireWire data stream from the UL has your audio data in it. That way, you can play it back over the computer speakers, and record it to the computer's harddrive for later playback/editing.
user123
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 6:51 am
Primary DAW OS: Unspecified

Post by user123 »

Well, the PC could be able to record fine, when I strum the guitar the meter level goes up on the UL and the CueMix board.

Just can't get any sound out of my Audigy 2 card :/

I use the Audigy surround for gaming and don't want to have to use onboard sound/drivers. Argghhh...
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