Recording Equipment Question

[midnightright]

Well, this is going well... I've got the solo setup, and downloaded the whatever it's called when you plug it into your computer. I've connected my mic to it. All I see is a Focusrite Control screen in black with some options to adjust settings, I guess (it says, "Analogue 1," & "Analogue 2"). I'm guessing this is not the place where you actually do your recording. The box says it comes with some included software, such as some of those mentioned already in the thread (Avid/Ableton/etc.) And some plug-ins; whatever those are. I know where none of these things are, and trying to look for them at the moment, is giving me a migraine... which may very soon be turning into a seizure (I'm kidding, of course!). But looks like I may have another box to collect dust (along with the condenser mic from before). I have no energy or patience for this. Probably something that would have been useful, or helpful to note: beforehand! Ha.

 

[AcornHouse]

Ignore anything that says “plug-in” for the moment. You just want to install a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). You have 2 options: here’s a focusrite page showing the differences and how to install them.
https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en...stalling-the-DAW-included-with-your-Scarlett-

Look at the videos, take a deep breath, make your choice, or report back.

 

[midnightright]

Hey, Thanks AcornHouse!! I'm going to take a break, and try to come back later... I bet those will work! Thanks for all you've done & I will report back in full with the results/& - or progress. Again, much appreciated!

 

[Nuuska]

Take your time - you'll get there - after that it will get easier.

Just learn basic recording first - then adding tracks - now you can practice mixing balance - after that you can start fiddling with EQ, effects etc.

 

[Velvet Phelts]

When I first started in recording. Was working with an award wining engineer. I asked, how did YOU learn. He had interned at a studio in LA. He was told. If something doesn't sound right. Turn a knob. If it sounds worse. Turn it back. Though this may be very vague. This approach will, in the end, give you an understanding of what can be done. Only question now. Do you want to know how deep the rabbit hole goes?

 

[midnightright]

Ok, thanks for the additional input, everyone! I can't remember if there were recommendations given in this, or another thread on whether or not ProTools would be better for someone in my position (acoustic guitar in vocals in one mic, mostly/hopefully - one take!). Or the other one that comes with my interface; Ableton Lite? When viewing the video, it sounded like protools was definitely the way to go, but the installation process looked much more daunting for somebody like me, who even has a few more obstacles & hurdles in life than most know about--& that have absolutely nothing to do with what's already been discussed in this thread!

In any case, just to give you one example, last night I attempted to start downloading the Ableton one (only because it looked way easier to install) & got so fed up with trying to keep up with the pace of the video tutorial on how to do so, that I only made it part way through. . .

If I'd had to do it over again, I would have done the short-cut, or easy to use, start up that bypasses this at first, just to get you going. However, I believe that option went out the window when I first installed the thing I was talking about in the beginning from Focusrite (not the software). We'll figure it out, one way or the other! thanks again! I've seen Audacity has been often recommended as well, so I can always give that a go to, if it looks like this is just too difficult (for me).

 

[Cougar]

The box says it comes with some included software, such as some of those mentioned already in the thread (Avid/Ableton/etc.) And some plug-ins; whatever those are. I know where none of these things are, and trying to look for them at the moment, is giving me a migraine...

IIRC, my Scarlett package came with a CD that had the "recording studio" (DAW) software on it, which just needed to be downloaded onto the computer. Keep the box and other stuff inside -- it may have a number or code on it that you'll need to "open" or confirm the software.

Ignore anything that says “plug-in” for the moment. ... Look at the videos, take a deep breath, make your choice, or report back.

Good advice re plug-ins. Yeah, those videos look good.

 

[midnightright]

Yeah, the solo did not. For some reason. I got it loaded I think, but now I can't get the registration for Abelton to go through. I've entered and reentered the serial number ad nauseum. And my mind is about to meltdown after about I don't know how many hours getting stuck on this step. There is apparently no available customer support that I am able to access. Other than a FAQ that brings me right to where I either don't know / understand what they are asking; or I am not registered somehow with my interface (though I'm pretty certain I was). Anyway, if I get it figured out I'll let you know! So, I'm stuck on the welcome to Abelton Lite Live 10 - press here to activate/authorize w/abelton.com (which brings me to the aforementioned screen - where you need your serial number). I'm using the one on the interface. Unless that's wrong!

 

[Br1ck]

An electric guitar direct into an interface is going to be rather sterile sounding, so you are either going to mic a cab or get one of the wonderful cab simulators out there. Yes, more money. If noise is no issue, mic the amp, but when I get amps to where they start to sound really good, my neighbors tend to crank their stereos. My amps are 12 and 5 watts. The thing about home recording is there are so many great tools in the sub $500 category, and you can spend $200 on something that helps greatly. Have no illusions you won't add recording gear once you get going.

Regarding mics, having a 10db pad switch as well as a high pass filter is a good enough reason to buy better mics. Different polar patterns are nice too. That's is one difference between a Rode NT1 and an NT 2.

 

[Cougar]

...I'm using the one on the interface. Unless that's wrong!

Dang! I'm not sure, but that might just be the wrong number/code. Sorry that step is not more straightforward.

I did a little searching and found this instruction for authorizing Able 10 Live. Apparently the "hardware code" is your computer's id number. Check out the instructions on the link, and hopefully that'll do it for you!

 

[midnightright]

Ok, I may have messed things up further before reading/seeing this. I tried to just use it without registering and so it of course says, "saving and exporting are deactivating." Not sure what that means in terms of what can still be used? But when I tried to close it out (Abelton) & then start over following your instructions, I still couldn't get it to work right. Clearly, user (my) error. Will let you know if I can get it worked out later...

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

About learning how things tick. Even though digital recording is different from analog recording - there are lots of things in common.

To understand the signal flow - one might study the basic flow diagram of a four channel mixer with only one or two AUX sends and no groups. When that is clear - study i.e. 8-16 channel with more AUXes plus some subgroups.

Then there are direct outputs from channels. And inserts.

Once you have this somewhat clear in your mind - it will be much easier to work with digital, too

While searching for good example pictures - I run across this page - seems reasonable.

Analog Recording Signal Flow (Diagrams + How Does It Work?)

Why is signal flow important? How does it work? How do you read a signal flow diagram? All your mixing console signal flow questions -- answered.

producerhive.com

 

[Cougar]

...While searching for good example pictures - I run across this page - seems reasonable.....

Thanks, Nuuska. That's helpful. I've been recording for decades, but I'm still a beginner. I figured out how to get (mainly synth) sound into the DAW to record it at a reasonable level, but that's about it. So I have questions.... At one point, the article you linked to said:

Mic/Line Input
You will first need to tell the console whether you are recording from a microphone source or a line (such as a keyboard or synthesiser). The reason being mic signals are a lot weaker than line so to ensure proper gain staging you need to set the desk up to receive the appropriate feed. If mic is selected then your signal will be input to the desk preamp, whereas line will usually skip this section as extra gain isn’t necessary.

I know it's not optimal, but what if you plug your guitar with a passive undersaddle pickup right into your interface. Do you set your interface to mic (with pre-amp) or line? If it's an active pickup (which already runs through a pre-amp) then I guess you set the interface to line, right?

OK, what if you plug the guitar into an amp (with either active or passive pickup), and you run a line from the amps' headphones-out to the interface... Do you set your interface to mic (with pre-amp) or line?

 

[Nuuska]

Hi

Undersaddle passivev pup needs HIGH-IMPEDANCE input - meaning 1MOhm or more - so a good quality active DI-box is ok - from there you go to MIC-input, because DI-box output is optimized for that. Another option is to use a high-impedance preamp with line-output connected to interface line input. If you do not have either - and connect us-pup directly into mic-input with suitable cable, the result is simply lousy sound - nothing will go kaputt, tho.

Microphone output impedances are usually 150-500ohm - thus mic-input usually is about 2-5kOhm - way too low for pietzo.

Playing with amp - yes - you can use headphone output connected to line input of interface. OR - most DI-boxes can also handle speaker-outputs - then that connect again into mic-input of interface.

Hope this helps.