Sound and Feedback Issues with Computer while playing music

[chuckc]

I just bought a brand new dell computer. My plan was to use the computer as my main source of music and to use the computer connected to my mixer and home stereo to listen to music.

I dont understand but I get alot of feedback when i have the RCA stereo cord hooked from the headphone jack from the computer to the (line in) on my mixer. It will play music but the sound is poor and you can hear the feedback in the background.

I really dont get it because i have the same hook up with this old dell laptop i use for work and there is no feedback and the music sounds ok through it. Any help would greatly be appriciated as I am really technically poor when it comes to computers/audio ect.

[Kamal]

Re: Sound and Feedback Issues with Computer while playing music

With Audio cards having come a long way, most branded computers will come with software pre-loaded that gives you greater control over it. Check your settings there.

[chuckc]

Re: Sound and Feedback Issues with Computer while playing music

10-4 thanks for responding Kamal, hard to get much feedback in this section anymore.

I ended up sending the machine back, need to do more research before purchsing.

Do u have any reccomendations on computers with quality sound? Mainly want to use it for my sourse of music, want to connect the audio output from the cpu to my mixer which is set up to my main reciever/home stereo. Also have alot of HD videos i take of my kids ect, that i would like to store and watch.

thanks again, this is my first home cpu purchase and i am really clueless.

[Kamal]

Re: Sound and Feedback Issues with Computer while playing music

Most branded PCs will come with relatively inexpensive / less techy motherboards which will have crappy onboard sound processors. If quality is your main criterion and you're going to buy a branded PC, then look up newegg for a decent soundcard and install it.

Here is a relatively inexpensive option - Newegg.com - DIAMOND XtremeSound XS71 7.1 Channels 16-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

If your mixer has Optical in, then here is another inexpensive option - Newegg.com - ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG Sound Card

Just be sure you are purchasing a soundcard that has connector matching an available slot on the mobo. You don't want to buy a PCI card and realize only PCI-EX 16 slots are available for installation.

[chuckc]

Re: Sound and Feedback Issues with Computer while playing music

^^thanks so much for this information.

this is my first ever computer purchase, (i have gotten by over the years with work laptops). Been having quite a few people tell me go apple but i have never used one so have no clue.

what do u prefer PC or Apple. is this massive price increase for a mac worth it?

[Kamal]

Re: Sound and Feedback Issues with Computer while playing music

People rave about MACs and they are very popular with Graphics designers, Photographers and DJs/Producers. I personally can't comment if they are better than Windows PCs for the same tasks but a well built and more importantly, well managed Windows PC can give you just as many years of satisfactory performance for far less $$$.

It just comes down to being picky or wanting to save $$$ and I'm from the latter camp.