Soundcards in laptops

Mark Dershaw · Post by **Mark Dershaw** » 1 Sep 2010 8:53 am

OK, so I'm getting ready to buy a laptop mainly to install BIAB. What I need to know is do all laptops use a sound processor that is integrated with the motherboard or can you have a more upscale soundcard installed?

Michael Eastman · Post by **Michael Eastman** » 1 Sep 2010 10:22 am

You can use the internal soundcard if you like. But if you're concerned with latency and quality you may want to look at these...

You can connect via Firewire or USB

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_index.php

http://www.echoaudio.com

Or a little more consumer grade...

http://www.m-audio.com

Just be sure that the hardware vendor has drivers that are compatible with your OS

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 1 Sep 2010 11:03 am

The sound chips in most laptops are more than sufficient for audio. However, you need a good MIDI Synth as all that comes with PC's that have "integrated" audio (on the motherboard chips) whether Laptop or Desktop is the puny Microsoft Wavetable software MIDI synth.

The older Roland GS33 software synth that came with some versions of BIAB is not Windows 7 compatible. I think they have a newer MIDI synth that is.

BIAB generates sounds via MIDI and the reason you need a MIDI synth.

Mark Dershaw · Post by **Mark Dershaw** » 1 Sep 2010 11:21 am

2010.5 does include a midi synth that is compatible with Windows 7. I just checked.