cannot get audio fron tape to CEP multitrack

[oczad]

I have a Maudio delta 44 4 channel card that i only use occasionally to play back 4 channel audio from CEP's multitrack section. But the other day for the first time i tried to record audio on my PC with it and i cannot get it to work.

What i did was attach the 4 tape outs from a 4 track cassette to the delta breakout box inputs. The sound IS getting to the PC because when i open the delta mixer panel it shows levels moving as i play the tape. But the sound is not getting into CEP's multitrack section. I assigned each of 4 tracks in the CEP multirack to the delta card by clicking the record button on each track and choosing the delta. This was of course after having gone to options/device order/recording and adding the delta 1/2 and delta 3/4 from the "unused record devices" to the "multitrack device order" window. I have als tried the windows volume panel.......the record one, and made sure i added all sliders and tried various ones. I have also tried everything imaginable in the delta's mixer panel. But no matter what i do, when i set the 4 tracks in CEP to record ready and set it rolling with the tape machine going, no audio get to it.

any ideas?

[superspit]

Originally Posted by oczad

I have a Maudio delta 44 4 channel card that i only use occasionally to play back 4 channel audio from CEP's multitrack section. But the other day for the first time i tried to record audio on my PC with it and i cannot get it to work.

What i did was attach the 4 tape outs from a 4 track cassette to the delta breakout box inputs. The sound IS getting to the PC because when i open the delta mixer panel it shows levels moving as i play the tape. But the sound is not getting into CEP's multitrack section. I assigned each of 4 tracks in the CEP multirack to the delta card by clicking the record button on each track and choosing the delta. This was of course after having gone to options/device order/recording and adding the delta 1/2 and delta 3/4 from the "unused record devices" to the "multitrack device order" window. I have als tried the windows volume panel.......the record one, and made sure i added all sliders and tried various ones. I have also tried everything imaginable in the delta's mixer panel. But no matter what i do, when i set the 4 tracks in CEP to record ready and set it rolling with the tape machine going, no audio get to it.

any ideas?

Hi....I'm sure the great guys here will help you get to the bottom of this!!
This is crazy, you certainly have ticked all the right boxes in as far as your set-ups are concerned.
You say that the Delta's control panel meter is glowing nicely...that's good....
What are the meters doing on the CEP side?....are they bouncing too?
Are you running your card as a 'try as a WDM' mode within the settings menu?
Is the Delta card your 'main system' sound card for windows....ie.
start>settings>control panel>sound and audio devices......(you sound like you might have already??)
Have you had any issues in the past with using the Delta 44 and CEP recording?..
Hope to here back from you soon....
Cheers,
Spit.

[oczad]

Thanks. I never used CEP + delta before for recording from an outside source. I have only recorded to CEP via my main soundcard which is a creative. And yes, i have gone to the sound devices in control panel and tried setting recording to the delta. But even if that had worked it would be useless because it only allows you to choose one side of the delta, IE: channels 1/2 or 3/4. So i wouldn't be able to record 4 at once as i need to even if that worked.

The delta panel is showing activity, but it doesn't get to CEP.....no meter activity, no recording, nothing.

[superspit]

Originally Posted by oczad

Thanks. I never used CEP + delta before for recording from an outside source. I have only recorded to CEP via my main soundcard which is a creative. And yes, i have gone to the sound devices in control panel and tried setting recording to the delta. But even if that had worked it would be useless because it only allows you to choose one side of the delta, IE: channels 1/2 or 3/4. So i wouldn't be able to record 4 at once as i need to even if that worked.

The delta panel is showing activity, but it doesn't get to CEP.....no meter activity, no recording, nothing.

no my friend......your delta's are supposed to look like that to your Windows software!...windows allows for one stereo sound card only, at any one time, as far as I know. (you may have as many as you want, but you must select one at a time via those settings>control panel>sounds.
Now...CEP etc. etc. allows for multiple channel /input/output recording..ie: Delta 1/2 =L +R (stereo pair 1)....and Delta 3/4=L+R (stereo pair 2) (or 4 seperate mono channels!!).....get back to u soon...gotta go to a meeting!...or shit, get back to us!!

[oczad]

Ok, well whatever is causing this aside, if i still have to do that then are you saying windows will not allow me to record 4 channels at once from an outboard source?

[sikter]

He did not say that.
After reading your previous posts it looks to me like you did everything right.
Still it doesn’t work which means you forgot something.
Could you post a Screen shot of your Multitrack View in CEP?
Have you tried to record only one track, just for a fun?
Your tape machine has 4 MONO outputs – right?

We’ll make it work
sikter

[oczad]

Yes, 4 mono outputs that are straight from tape. But no matter because we alredy know it's making it to the PC since the delta mixer shows activity. I will hook it back up tonite and see what happens. I haven't tried it since then so maybe after restarting a few times since then something may have changed.

But what i meant about the delta 1/2 and 3/4 is that windows allows you to choose the card under "recording" in the devices in cntrol panel, but you cannot choose but 2 channels at a time, IE: delta 1/2 or delta 3/4. So how then is it possible to record from all 4 inputs at once?

[superspit]

Originally Posted by oczad

Yes, 4 mono outputs that are straight from tape. But no matter because we alredy know it's making it to the PC since the delta mixer shows activity. I will hook it back up tonite and see what happens. I haven't tried it since then so maybe after restarting a few times since then something may have changed.

But what i meant about the delta 1/2 and 3/4 is that windows allows you to choose the card under "recording" in the devices in cntrol panel, but you cannot choose but 2 channels at a time, IE: delta 1/2 or delta 3/4. So how then is it possible to record from all 4 inputs at once?

OMG!!!!

oczad.....your question's answer is but barely a few inches above this following word...

"FAAA-AAAA-AAA-AARK"...(bangs head on monitor)

Please 'read' all the posts so far............please!!!!!

and.......begin!

[oczad]

You know, i think i'll just figure it out myself. Don't need insults

[superspit]

Originally Posted by oczad

You know, i think i'll just figure it out myself. Don't need insults

Oczad...sorry if I offended you...that is so not me..
Getting frustrated?....now that is so me!!!

But do please re-read above...you will find your last question answered.

Windows doesn't do the 4 track.(it can't see more than 1 set of L + R in's/out's at a time).....your CEP program will.(capable of seing multiple in's/out's at any one time)....

Also, Sikter's idea of screen shots will help us diagnose!!

Don't go....just keep asking away, we'll find it..

Sorry.

[sikter]

Originally Posted by oczad

Yes, 4 mono outputs that are straight from tape. But no matter because we alredy know it's making it to the PC since the delta mixer shows activity. I will hook it back up tonite and see what happens. I haven't tried it since then so maybe after restarting a few times since then something may have changed.

But what i meant about the delta 1/2 and 3/4 is that windows allows you to choose the card under "recording" in the devices in cntrol panel, but you cannot choose but 2 channels at a time, IE: delta 1/2 or delta 3/4. So how then is it possible to record from all 4 inputs at once?

Hello again,
This is not correct. Windows has almost nothing to do with it.
I am 99% sure that you did not “tell” CEP what to do exactly

M Audio Delta 44 has 4 Inputs and 4 outputs (That’s why it’s called “44”)

So, you are able to 4 simultaneous recording in CEP or any other multitrack recording software.
You need to connect your tape machine’s Outputs to Delta’s Inputs using MONO cables.
You did that and you got all 4 signal meters on Delta’s Mixer.

Now CEP:
First track in CEP must have M Audio Delta 1 as Input. NOT Delta ½ Stereo.
YOU MUST CHOOSE MONO AS INPUT.

The second track should use MAudio Delta 2 as input. MONO again.
And so on.

When all 4 tracks are set up properly you need to activate REC on each of them.
Make sure your Time line is in ZERO position and

Press main REC-button on your CEP player.

[oczad]

Ok, heres the deal. First, i agree with sikter. there MUST be a way to do 2 at once or why would they make cards with multiple inputs? Thats why i kept asking, because just telling me windows can't do this make no sense. However, i still cannot find out how to do it. In fact, i cannot ever get even one track from the card to record. I have tried everything you guys have mentioned and them some. That is, things that would make no sense but i tried them anyways to remove as many possibilities as i could. Let me list what i have tried.

1-in sound devices in cnt pnl i have tried it set to all 3 possibilities..1/2, 3/4, and delta monitor. will not record with any of those set.

2-in CEP i have added the deltas both pairs and monitor into the recording devices

3-in CEP i have tried setting each track's record input to all possibilities, but normally have it set as follows.tr1=delta 1/2 left, tr2=delta1/2 right, tr3=delta3/4 left, tr4=delta 3/4 right. By the way, i think you CAN use "stereo" instead of left and right because i tried that as i said just to eliminate all possibilities and when i did the tracks split into stereo, IE 2 tracks within each track. Anyways, thats moot, just wanted to mention it.

4-set each track to record ready before recording

5-tried every possible setting on delta mixer. Level activity is fine when i start the cassette, so it's getting audio. In the patchbay i have tried every possibility while CEP is recording and no activity shows.

6-shouldn't matter, but again to be safe i opened the windows volume control and went to the recording panel after having selected all options so i have all slider up and tried each while CEP was recording. no activity in CEP.

Thats all i can think of at the moment. I should also say that CEP is doing something that may be a hint. When i set it to rolling in record mode, each track becomes that reddish color that is a block of recorded material and keeps extending as the recording goes longer. But with the delta selected the red part only extends about 1/3 way across the track and when the line that shows where the recording is moves to the end of that the red part does no become longer and follow the line. So the line passes the end of the red part and is then rolling across the track where it is not red. Hope thats clear....kinda hard to explain precisely. Anyways, if i set the default card (sound blaster) to any of the tracks, the red part extends further and expands to keep up with the lines as normal.

I can show screen shots if i have to, but it's a huge pain because at home i have no internet, only at work. So i'd have to make the files, transfer them to work, then find a host. I'd rather just try what you tell me, if theres anything left to try that is ! But if it's absolutely necassary tell me what to capture. Thanks.

[oretez]

Originally Posted by oczad

I can show screen shots if i have to, but it's a huge pain because at home i have no internet, only at work. So i'd have to make the files, transfer them to work, then find a host. I'd rather just try what you tell me, if theres anything left to try that is ! But if it's absolutely necassary tell me what to capture. Thanks.

1st . . . CEP + m-audio gear is able to accomplish the task . . . combo does it all the time somewhere in the world at any moment of any day

as to above quote: you're the one with the issue, it has been appropriately suggested that for us to focus replies on to something that might help some screen shots would be useful . . . provide a better idea of what you are actually doing and increasing probability of slightly more useful response

but hey! as I said you're the one with the issue, your time your effort

[oczad]

Yes, but like i said i cant post shots if i don't know what shots someone wants to see, plus i would think most any questions you have i think probably easily answerable with words. But tell me what shots ya'll want and i'll post them if you think it would help.

[ErichS]

Originally Posted by oczad

... Anyways, if i set the default card (sound blaster) to any of the tracks, the red part extends further and expands to keep up with the lines as normal...

Have you tried making your sound blaster the default windows sound card (in Windows Ctl Pnl) instead of the Delta? On my system (RME FF400, Adobe Audition 1), Adobe will not let me use the FF400 driver while it is selected as the default windows audio driver. Adobe will actually change the driver to an unused one if I select the same one as windows is using. An alternative test might be to have the Delta 1&2 setup for windows, then try recording in CEP on the Delta 3&4 alone.

I'm just grasping for straws, but it might work

[sikter]

OK, I think I know what's wrong.
Your Deltas Audio driver is not installed properly or it is in conflict with your windows audio driver. I'm almost 100% sure.
The red block appears when you start recording and stops after a few seconds. Time line goes on but the red block doesn’t.
Do uninstall your delta audio driver and re install it. Restart your PC. Try again.
If you get into trouble again then you can disable your inbuilt sound card in BIOS and try start using your Delta card only.

You have mentioned Stereo recording. There is possibility of course.
I suggested MONO because I think you have 4 different instruments on four tapes and if you record them to CEP
as 4 mono tracks you’ll be able to threat them separately in your mix.
But that’s not issue here.
good luck!
sikter

[oczad]

I agree. I thought about doing that but when i install it windows often has a hard time recognizing it. Never did that on my old systems but on my new rig it does. I wonder if it could have to do with the dual core CPU. Anyways i'll uninstall and let you know what happens.

[oczad]

Just to update you, it's now working after a re-install. funny thing is, after about 4-5 days of this and restarting my PC who knows how many times, after we discussed reinstalling it i went home to do so and upon starting the PC the new hardware wizard came up......it had found the delta !!! What a coincidence, and why it did not find it till about the 10th restart is beyond me. in any case, it was somehow installed but not correctly. I then went thru about 2 hours of hell trying to get it installed. every time i'd try it would prompt me to restart and when i did the PC would go thru post and then just a black screen and it wouldn't boot to window. so i'd have to do a "last known good configuration" and then it would try and install it again. I went to the M-audio site and followed the directions and still no go. I had 3 older drivers and finally after truing 2 of them the 3rd one worked. What a friggin fiasco ! anyways, it works, thanks.

[superspit]

Originally Posted by oczad

Just to update you, it's now working after a re-install. funny thing is, after about 4-5 days of this and restarting my PC who knows how many times, after we discussed reinstalling it i went home to do so and upon starting the PC the new hardware wizard came up......it had found the delta !!! What a coincidence, and why it did not find it till about the 10th restart is beyond me. in any case, it was somehow installed but not correctly. I then went thru about 2 hours of hell trying to get it installed. every time i'd try it would prompt me to restart and when i did the PC would go thru post and then just a black screen and it wouldn't boot to window. so i'd have to do a "last known good configuration" and then it would try and install it again. I went to the M-audio site and followed the directions and still no go. I had 3 older drivers and finally after truing 2 of them the 3rd one worked. What a friggin fiasco ! anyways, it works, thanks.

fuckin' yay!!.......well done mo fo!!!.
rock on,..and maybe post a link of some of your stuff for us one day?
Regards,
Spit

[sikter]

I am glad it finally worked.
Next time, just read the instructions first.
Latest audio driver should be installed before you even connected your card.
Then, re start ....
Enjoy

[oczad]

Originally Posted by sikter

I am glad it finally worked.
Next time, just read the instructions first.
Latest audio driver should be installed before you even connected your card.
Then, re start ....
Enjoy

Actually the reason i didn't read instructions is because i have installed and uninstalled this card probably 6-8 times before and always had it working fine. I only use it rarely, and when i do i always uninstall it after because i go for a year at least between uses and prefer not to have the last slot taken up or hardware installed i don't use. So i had no reason to expect i'd have probelms getting it to work when it always did in the past after installing it. The only thing i can figure is the new rig. Technology both in hardware and windows has changed some since this card came out, so maybe that has something to do with it.