Specific gear overdubbing/connection problem

Blackblackred · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Hi all,

I was hoping someone here might be able to help with a problem I am having with recording overdubs, or monitoring a previous track while recording a new track.

The problem that is occuring is that I can't seem to find the correct connection setup to do this through my mixer. I seem to either receive no sound from my computer as soon as I hit "record". Or, using a different connection path, end up having a my previous track bleeding into the new track.

Ideally, I would like to be able to record say a guitar rhythm track, then a lead overdub, followed by vocals, without any bleed from previous tracks.

Here is my set up:

Mixer - Eurorack MX 602 A
Cables - Myriad (i've got tons)
Computer - Dell Inspiron 1720
OS - Vista Home Premium
Multitrack Software - Adobe Audition 3.0
IN/outs (computer) - 1 mic/line in, 1 headphone out
Headphones - Audio-Technica ATH-m40fs
in/outs (mixer) - The usual but here is a picture for reference:

I have a feeling that my problem lies in the routing of where my mixer's outs signal is coming from (usually i try running from the main or control room outs into my comps line in) where my comp's out signal goes back into the mixer, and how I have my "2tk" buttons set up. I feel like i've tried every possible combination, but to no avail.

Please, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Joel

the audiophile · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject:

Do you monitor from the mixer (I can't see any cans out on the pic)
or from the cans out on the laptop? (Cans = headphones)
I haven't done any live recording on mine and I can't even test it 'cos
my mixers packed up but the way I would set it up is this:-
Instrument to mixer.
Mixer to computor.
Computor to cans out.
My desktop setup is different:-
Instrument to mixer.
Mixer to computor.
Computor line out to external amp in for nearfield monitoring via
speakers.
Vocal monitoring is done via the cans to prevent speaker sound
getting into the mix. (If done in same room)
I use Acoustica Mixcraft for multitrack recording and a Creative
soundcard. (I've also tried Audacity to multitrack with good results)
**Does your soundcard allow simultaneous playback and record?
This setup works for me and is fairly basic but gets results.
Both my systems run XP and I've had no experience with Vista so I
don't know what the differences are but I don't think the OS is the
problem.
At this stage I'd suggest that you check the signal path and sound card.

Brien · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_hookup_a_mixer.htm

Blackblackred · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Audiophile,

Yes the mixer does have headphones out, and I do monitor through the mixer. Any time i have tried to monitor from the computer directly, the has always been a lag. I beleive it is a full duplex card, but it doesn't seem to want to function with a true simultaneous playback during recording.

Brien,

Thanks for the link... I will try the suggestions tweak has, and let you all know if i'm still having a problem.

Thanks
Joel

Brien · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:30 pm Post subject:

Do you have a cable similar to this one:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSYRA154
that you are plugging into your computer with?

Blackblackred · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Brien wrote:

Do you have a cable similar to this one:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSYRA154
that you are plugging into your computer with?

Similar, but mine have male RCA ends to male 3.5.

This was the cable that I was routing from my computers headphone outs into the mixer's "tape in".

Blackblackred · Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

From tweak's page, the section regarding cheap mixers seemed to offer up the best advice. Running a line from the fx send (or "aux send" as it's labeled on my mixer) to my laptop's line in and making sure <i>just</i> 2tk to mix is depressed, then also running a line from phones out on the laptop to tape in on the mixer allows for silmutaneous playback and recording with no bleed in from previously layed down tracks. Of course the signal from the aux send is mono, but beggar's can't be choosers, and i would probably prefer to do any pan placement in the multitrack software anyhow.

Thanks again Brien!!

- Joel

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