Jan 03, 2009 08:01 am (edit) whew, this is a long one, hope you're sittin down =).
Hi Skoots, Welcome to the HRC.
More than likely, if it's working for you, then it's OK. There's not much here to get screwed up, so it's probably correct.
Anyway, I'll list how I would set this stuff up.
If you want to have everything connected, and then just choose what to hear / record, then using the mixer will be best.
If you want the best possible sound, using the preamps on the mbox, then you will have to disconnect and re-connect cables when you perform different tasks (recording vocals, keys, guitars).
I'll shoot for the first option: using the mixer.
Plug the P120 into the first channel of the mixer.
Plug the jack from the guitar pluging into the LINE input on the second channel. This input expects line level, adn the guitar may not put out line level, only instrument. If this is the case then gain level may need to be heavily adjusted to get decent signal.
Plug the 2 outputs (L & R) from the FX8 to the 5/6 inputs on the mixer. We'll be using 7/8 for returning sound.
Now, you have all your source signals in the mixer. We now just have to decide which ones (or which combinations of signals) to send to the mbox for recording.
Connect 2 cables from the main outs (L & R) on mixer to the LINE inputs on the mbox (1 & 2). Also, connect 2 cables from outputs on mbox to the 2TR IN inputs on mixer. You may need an adapter cable to convert from 1/4" mono over to RCA.
www.zzounds.com.../item--HOSCPR20
Push the 2TR IN button so that the 2tr in signal gets sent to MONITOR, not mains.
Plug your monitors into the monitors jack, and I think that's it.
*** Note *** Please realize that I'm doing this by logic (possibly flawed) and by looking at pictures. I could be wrong on actual functionality, and am hoping I'm understanding the mixers features correctly =) *** End Note ***
Setting the Gain:
On the mixer, you'll want to set the gain for all channels, so that each source signal is proper for the rest of the chain.
1. MIC: turn on phantom power, since P120 needs phantom. Sing into the mic at the loudest volume that you will be singing normally. This is no time to be shy, because setting the level too high will incur nasty digital clipping later when you're doing a REAL take. So sing into the mic at loudest normal volume you expect to see. When making signal, set the gain so that the red light comes on only on the loudest parts. 95% of the signal coming in shouldn't trigger the PEAK light.
2. Guitar gain. using the P120 on the guitar, set the gain on channel 1 similarly to how you set the vocal for channel 1. Note that you will have to adjust back and forth, if you use the mic for both guitar and vox. For your plugin mic, set the gain like you did for the vocal mic: play as loud as you would expect, and set the knob for the peak on only light up occasionaly, or mostly infrequently.
3. Keys, the keyboard is set the same way, although the volume on the keyboard will change the source signal being sent to the mixer, so you'll have to adjust this for each patch. I'd use the gain in a moderate level, and adjust the volume on the keyboard. Run test recordings in your software to gauge how loud the incoming signal is being received. If the wave forms are clipping, turn down your volume until they are not.
Now, gain is set. Important: don't re-set the gain knob unless you have a different source. If you set it for your vocals, then leave it alone, and use the mixer faders to change how loud the signal is being sent to the mbox.
Ok, selecting sources. If you want to record your vocals, turn up your fader on the vocals channel on the mixer. Turn the PAN knob of the mixer all the way to the left, and leave it there. If you want to record your guitar at the same time, then turn the fader for the guitar plug-in up. Turn the PAN for the guitar channel (should be channel 2) on mixer all the way RIGHT. This Left & Right will keep your two signals separate from each other when they show up in the recording software (PT). In PT you will make two mono tracks to receive each signal. Vox track will listen to incoming 1, and guitar track will listen to incoming 2.
Another option for recording this way is to record 2 signals of your guitar. You can put the P120 on the body of the guitar, and record both the 'acoustic' sound via the microphone, and the pickup signal from the plug in guitar pickup. You can send these two signals separate to the mbox/ mac by setting 1 signal hard left, and the other hard right, Or, you can mix them together using the fader, and setting both mixer channels hard left, or hard right. This will mix the two together and record them both as 1 signal.
This will allow you to record 2 different things at the same time, while still getting 2 signals from the guitar. Like, if you had a singer separate from your guitar player. They could be recorded simultaneously, but on different tracks.
ALL signal volume to PC should be able to be controlled by the mixer mains fader (STEREO KNOB). I would set this and not monkey with it too much, because all levels to PC will be affected by this. Headphones should be plugged into the headphone jack. Monitor and headphones should be controlled by the MONITOR / HEADPHONES KNOB. It seems that this setup should do all you need =). I hope =).
Hopefully this will get you close.
I guess if you want to record using the mbox preamp(s), you will plug your mic into the mbox xlr input and bypass the mixer altogether. Or, you can record guitar through the mixer -> over to mbox, while also record vocals directly into the mbox. That would be a good solution as well, utilizing the (possibly) superior preamp on the mbox for vocals, while utilizing more connections for guitar and keyboard use.
Hope this helps.
