SLMC

hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Rastafairy Beach

Since it's kinda hard to play a couple of instruments simultaneously (especially when one of those instruments has got a neck with strings that sometimes bangs into things like microphone stands, when I move), I''ve been playing around with Cubase to try and lay down a rhtyhm and synth backing. For this, I need to record a couple of tracks in each tune.

I bet this sounds real straightforward to y'all, but Cubase seems to disagree: when I want to lay track #2 on track#1, it records track #1 on track #2 as well. That really messes things up and muting track #1 while recording track#2 is not an option, coz' I need to monitor what I've recorded already.

So I was hoping that one of you could tell me what I am doing wrong. Is there an option, hidden somewhere inside the software, that I've overlooked?

My setup: all instruments are plugged into a mixing panel, which in it's turn is connected to the soundcard. Cubase uses the same soundcard.
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Norris Shepherd · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:

Wow, that's weird.

I'm just learning Cubase, and had the EXACT same problem last night.

What was happening in my case (umm.. i hope you're on a PC) had to do with the mixer on the computer (windows mixer, or the one that came with your soundcard)

For the windows mixer, select options, properties, then choose 'recording' to see the set of sliders for recording.

Only the 'line-in' should be selected.

Now, to monitor the tracks already recorded, without them being fed back into the track you are currently recording is the problem.....

What I did:

- fed the 'line-out' from my soundcard into a channel on my mixer.
- keep the fader/level for that channel at '0', but turn the volume up in the monitor mix, or aux send on the mixer.
- Plug the headphones into the 'monitor out' or 'aux send' on your mixer.

this allowed me to hear the tracks recorded, but they didn't get recorded with the current track i was working on.

hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Rastafairy Beach

Thanks Norris, that might be a useful workaround (I'm on a PC as well, btw). Been digging around on the Cubase forums a bit, and have found out that it might have to do with the input settings (recording source) of the specific track. The forum-people over there said that it is default set to 'what you hear' and should be changed into the line input on the soundcard.

So there's already two things to look into when I get home this evening: the sofware solution as described in the Cubase-forum, and the hardware workaround you suggested.

On a side note: as relatively simple recording software like Magix can handle this easily, I really feel that bad-ass software like Cubase should be able to do that as well.

So it's human vs. machine again, tonight, I fear. No rest unto the weary!
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Jambalaya · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 238

Yeah, if it's set to "what you hear" Rolling Eyes

then you're going to get a mix of every sound your computer makes. You should set it to record ONLY from the specific line input channel(s) you need, and that should take care of it.

[EDIT: the Rolling Eyes

is for the term in general, not directed at you. Wink

]

hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Rastafairy Beach

hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Rastafairy Beach

Both Norris Shepherd and Jambalaya were right! It did take some rewiring and I also had to order that wretched Cubase to record the tracks from a specific sound source.

The rewiring consisted of plugging the output of the mixer into the inputs of a Presonus Inspire 1394 which, in its turn, uses firewire to speak with the PC. Then (and that's where the subjection of Cubase comes in) I went to Devices -> Device Setup and selected the Inspire ASIO driver instead of the ASIO multimedia driver that came with the Soundblaster Audigy soundcard.

Works like a charm. Now all I need to change the sound source for is when I want to record a hawt drumtrack I have found on teh internetz or when I start streaming the tracks on which I am planning to lay layers of assorted synths, guitars and the inevitable madness that comes with such endeavours. In which case I will of course also plug the output of the mixer into the line-in of the soundcard.

A somewhat long story, I know, but who knows if any future Cubase n00bs like me might ever find it useful. Oh, and last but not least: big kudos for putting me on the right track with this, Norris and Jambalaya.
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Jambalaya · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 238

Glad you got it working! Smile

Soundblaster cards are a big pain in the ass when it comes to anything resembling pro audio. My recommendation is always to get rid of it & use something else, because the hassle isn't worth it. Wink

hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Rastafairy Beach

Norris Shepherd · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

Yay!! Your post actually got me thinking, and because of actually thinking, I figured out a way to use my mixer's reverb after the fact to add reverb to a 'dry' track.

It involves creating another track, but at least it works.

Does anyone know of any good and free/reasonably priced VST Reverb plugins for Cubase? Cause the one that came with it is crap....

hexx · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Rastafairy Beach

ehm, maybe squeeze a hardware reverb pedal somewhere in the mixer? that way you could set reverb for each mixer channel (or turn it off completely).
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Born Again Pagan | Lunatic Fringe Jammer
my other bike is a broom