Noob needs help w/2496?

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Master of my domain
Member Since: Mar 21, 2005

Hi gang, my name is Bill and I have been playing guitar for almost 25 years. I've made the jump into recording on my computer (PC 1.6G processor, 1G RAM, 40G HDD, Win XP). Today I installed a new M-audio 2496, which went really easy (after first going into my BIOS to disable the existing sound "card").

I'm using a POD into the 2496's inputs, which will allow me to play along with any of the scads of backing tracks I have on my HDD. Here is my dilemma: with the patchbay/router set to "WavOut 1/2" the backing track sounds great, but I cannot hear the POD (the lights on the monitor mixer move, but no sound), if I set the patchbay/router to "Monitor Mixer" I can now hear the backing track and the POD however the backing track doesn't sound as good, it's missing some highs and therefore sounds a bit muddy. Setting the patchbay/router to "H/W In 1/2" allows me to hear the POD but no backing track.

I've tried setting the sample rate to 48K (it's already at 44.1K) but still have the sound quality issue. Any ideas???

Thanks much!
Bill

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Mar 22, 2005 12:26 am

What application are you playing the backing track's with? I am guessing you are not using a multi-track recording app. but something like Windows Media player. If that is the case, then the levels will not be matched correctly. So you might have to adjust the levels a bit to get a bette quality.

Idealy this is not the best way to get the best sound mixed together.

Master of my domain
Member
Since: Mar 21, 2005


Mar 22, 2005 08:10 am

Hi and thanks for the reply!

I am, in fact, noticing this while using media player. I have Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro 3 installed as well, but haven't tried playing along using it (I was just using media player 'cause it was quicker).

Two questions if I may: How would I adjust the levels to obtain a better quality (using media player)? The M-Audio monitor mixer only adjusts volume, whereas I need a tonal adjustment (more highs). What would be the best way to get the best sound mixed together? (I'm assuming by using the Cakewalk program).

Thanks again, great forum here so much to learn!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 22, 2005 11:20 am

If you were going to just play back, then media player has a graphic eq section in the bottom of the window. There's a bunch of other stuff as well.

If you were going to play/track, then I'd use the multitracker only. Once you get your tracks in, then you can use an EQ to change the freq levels of your tracks. That's why the maudio control panel doesn't have an EQ, because it's the job of the audio program to control the EQ levels, and other things.

There's also plug-in EQs available on the net for free, if GTP doesn't have one you like.

I don't touch the media player when I'm doing anything with audio creation/engineering. I only use the tracker, or editor specifically for audio engineering. I use Media player, or winamp, etc. when I'm listening casually.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 22, 2005 11:21 am

oh, and Welcome to HRC

Master of my domain
Member
Since: Mar 21, 2005


Mar 22, 2005 12:52 pm

Excellent advice! That's pretty much what I was planning on doing, for practice purposes just jamming with the tracks in media player (which actually does have an EQ! I learn something new every day!)and do the actual recording via Cakewalk.

Thanks for the assist and the welcome, I'm planning on spending quite a bit o' time here!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 22, 2005 12:59 pm

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 22, 2005 01:01 pm

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Master of my domain
Member
Since: Mar 21, 2005


Mar 22, 2005 01:06 pm

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Mar 22, 2005 08:03 pm

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SM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic's
Contributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002


Mar 22, 2005 11:31 pm

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