Recording audio to Cakewalk through a Mixer
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Posted on Feb 05, 2008 02:38 pm
Mozartist
Composer / Musician
Member Since: Feb 04, 2008
I have a Behringer XENYX 1204FX mixer that I am using to record audio into Cakewalk Pro Audio 9. When I record an audio track into the computer I set the record level to a little below where the meter shows that it clips so that I know I'm getting a clean signal. The problem is to get that level, whatever instrument I'm recording is pretty loud through my monitors and the audio track itself is very quiet when I play it back after recording it. I currently have the mixer setup so the ALT 3-4 outputs go to the line in on my sound card so I have to "arm" it by pressing the button associated with that channel to record, and the output of my sound card goes to the tape inputs of the mixer. I have XLR outs going to my monitors from the mixers main outputs.
Anyone know what might be my trouble here?
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 05, 2008 03:16 pm Hey there Mozartist, welcome to HRC.
Quote:
I set the record level to a little below where the meter shows that it clips
This one above, do you mean the gain (also known as trim) on the mixer channel? I hope so, as you mention it first. If you mean gain inside the PC, then we'll get to it in a bit.
That mixer doesn't have channel inserts, so this will be a little more challenging.
Connect your sources to the mixer inputs, and set the gain to just below clipping. I think you did this.
For each of the channels with input source attached, set the fader at unity, or 0. This means the sound coming in will be the same level going out. Also set the SUB outs fader to unity.
Set your buttons so the incoming signals (lets say channel 1 and 2) are going to sub group ONLY. Disconnect them from going to the mains out.
Connect from the mixer sub outs to your interface inputs, like you have now.
At this point, you have signal coming into the mixer, and it's at a good level, just below clipping. These signals are going through the mixer un-altered, and heading out the sub outs. Don't touch the channel faders again!
Now, from the interface outputs, send the signal from the PC into the mixer on your last stereo pair of inputs (11/12, i think).
This will get you your pre-recorded signal into the mixer.
Set your buttons so the channel 11/12 goes to the mains output ONLY, disable the 11/12 from going to the sub outs.
Connect your monitors to the mains output, which I think you have already.
Now, you can increase or decrease the amount of pre-recorded track by changing the fader for 11/12. You can also change the amount of total volume by changing the master fader. Oh yeah, Don't touch the sub fader either. Leave that one at unity (0).
Match your 11/12 against your channel 1 and 2, and set overall volume with master fader.
Remember: don't touch gain, channel fader (other than 11/12), or subgroup fader.
Your incoming source signals should be recorded at good level, since you've not changed any of the mixer faders from unity.
Seems to work in my head, anyway. Hopefully it'll work OK for you.
MozartistComposer / MusicianMember
Since: Feb 04, 2008
Feb 05, 2008 04:25 pm Deleted By Mozartist
MozartistComposer / MusicianMember
Since: Feb 04, 2008
Feb 05, 2008 04:27 pm Deleted By Mozartist
MozartistComposer / MusicianMember
Since: Feb 04, 2008
Feb 05, 2008 07:04 pm Deleted By Mozartist
MozartistComposer / MusicianMember
Since: Feb 04, 2008
Feb 05, 2008 08:46 pm Ok I have it all connected that way, but I dont think there is a way to make the sound go out the sub outs only on this mixer. I did figure out that my problem with the level I was "monitoring" at was fixed simply by turning down the "line in" in the windows volume control. I thought that it would affect the level that got to Cakewalk but it only does when you adjust it from the "recording side" of the volume control panel in windows, which you get to by clicking on options at the top then clicking properties. Once in there you select adjust volume for recording and click ok and it gives you a set of sliders for recording input. Also note that the check boxes at the bottom say "select" instead of mute. For me there is a strange anomaly in windows that even if line in is already selected, I have to click the select for microphone and then go back to line in before it works for me. I dont know why but it's been that way for a while and it took me a long time and months of frustration to figure that out. It turns out that I didnt have the volume TO the mixer adjusted high enough as well as inside Cakewalk. In Cakewalk's console I had to have the signal right at the bottom of the red line to get the volume right.
Thanks for your help and the quick response. I like the output from the computer going to my last stereo channel, as you suggested. It gives me more control over it which helps a lot which having it go to the tape input did not.
Always something to learn. =)
