I just don't get it.setup help delta 66

[nattn]

If anyone that can help me set up my system intelligently, I would be most grateful.

I just bought a Delta 66 to replace the recording functions of my SB card. I am however having a difficult time setting up the system correctly.

The Hardware/Software install was no problem. Not knowing how to best route all of my components is. Right now I have the M-1's input directly into the delta's breakout box in my 1&2 outs. My mixer is running directly to the breakout box as well via a RCA L/R to a 1/4 " into my #1 in. My headphone amp is running RCA L/R to 1/4" into #2 in.

I am having too many problems to mention, but all in all the quality of the sound is disappointing with the way I have things set up. my recording levels are low & my playback in cubase is low. This is with my mixer settings in the delta software at its max. I have to use the mixer for it's phantom power.

I'm sure the card is great & it is user error that is causing my difficulties. If anyone can give me input on an optimal way to set up a system like mine, I'd be forever in their debt.

My setup is as follows:
-P-3 900mhz 40 gig 256k memory (Windows ME)
-Behringer MX 1604a mixer
-Delta 66 Audio Card
-Soundblaster Platinum 5.1 audio card
-Rolls 5 Channel Headphone Amplifier
-Behringer Virtualizer Pro efx processor
-Alesis M1 Active monitors
-Audio Technica 4033 condensor mic (1)
-shure sm57 mic (1)
-cubase 5 VST

[pratt]

nattn-

I know some Behringer-basher will soon be on here saying it's the mixer fault - but I have a similar setup (Behringer MX1604a; Delta 44, etc.) and it works great. Here's what I would try if I were you:

- use the main L/R outs of the mixer into line in 1/2 of the breakout box (I'm assuming that you are now using the 'tape outs' since you said it is RCA)
- use the 'control room' L/R outs on the mixer to feed your monitors
- use the headphone out on the mixer to feed your headphones (or headphone amp)
- hook up the line out 1/2 of the breakout box into one of the stereo channels on the mixer
- you can also record 2 more channels at once with the MX1604a using the Alt3/4 bus (take the Alt 3/4 L/R outs into line in 3/4 of the breakout box)

**ALWAYS use high-quality cables**

[nattn]

Thanks Pratt, I think I'm getting closer. I'm still a little confused with mic levels when recording, & i can never get the same volume level that I hear on my monitors pre-record that i do in playback (playback is considerably lower).

Also, unless i mess with the gain on channel 4 (where playback is happening. I do not get the full-on benefit of my monitors.

Do you just turn off your monitors when you are monitoring through headphones? I am assuming that with this config there is no way to bypass one or the other.

Thanks for your help.

[CyanJaguar]

does the delta66 have the option to switch between +4 and -10?

If your mixer is -10 and you record at +4, your levels will be approx 12 db lower than the levels coming from the mixer.

what you should do is set the inputs to -10 so that the mixer and the delta66 are happening at the same levels.

peace

[AlChuck]

Hi, nattn,

I have the Behringer set up like this:

I use channels 1-4 for mics, usually just #1.

I use 5/6 for the Delta's 1/2 outputs, and 7/8 for the SB Live's L/R outputs.

My monitors go to the Main XLR balanced outs, and the Alt 3/4 outputs go into the Delta's 1/2 inputs.

To record, I plug in a mic and assign it to the 3/4 bus.

(CAVEAT: OK, here's where it gets a little fuzzy, and each time I do this I scratch my head and think, "do I have this right?", so take it with a grain of salt).

In fact, now that I sit here and try to describe it, I can't figure it out. I must be turning off the speakers. That way I can send both the Alt 3/4 signals and the Main Mix to the phones... I can't see any other way to do it with what I have set up... if I was to do what I thought I was about to describe when I started writing this, it would send the outputs of the sound cards back into the inputs, which would not be cool... I'd betrter check back on some of those recordings I did! Eeeegads! I hope I haven't been stupid...

(As you can probably guess, I do 99.5% of my recording with just direct guitar and bass and almost never sing...)

-AlChuck

[pratt]

couple a' things:

- I have my Delta44 inputs and outputs set at +4 and I have no problems with recording levels coming in from my mixer

- to set your mic recording levels with the Behringer - here's what to do:
plug your mic into one of the line-ins 1-4; press the PFL/Solo button for that channel; make sure the PFL/Solo channel mode button is up (this is underneath the meters); do whatever you're going to do into the mic (sing, play guitar, etc.) and adjust the gain until the meter is peaking around 0

- if you plug your monitors into the Control Room outs than you can adjust their volume with the Ctrl R/Phones volume knob - also, I think the signal is sent to both the phones and Ctrl Room outs (there's no bypass for one or the other) - so if you only want to monitor via phones just turn off your amp/monitors!!

- AlChuck - how does your setup work??? it's my understanding that if you route a channel to the Alt3/4 bus than it isn't sent to the main outs (at least I hope so - since I am using the main and Alt3/4 busses to sent 4 separate channels to my Delta44) - ooops - I just figured it out!! - you must have the Alt3/4 to mix button depressed, right???

- nattn - you shouldn't have to mess with the 'gain' to get a good playback signal - use one of the stereo channels and adjust volume with the fader (and also the Control Room volume - see above) - also, you can adjust the volume of the track in your recording program as well (at least I can in Cubase)

ok, sorry for the long-winded response. let me know how you get things working

[nattn]

Thanks AlChuck,

I'm thinking that your setup is going to work best for my needs. I rarely if ever do any multi-track recording, so I'm not too worried about the 3/4 signal & main mix issue. I'll hear them both in playback yes?

You did solve my problem w/ the SB card. I was trying to figure out how I was going to hear my midi stuff.

Better go out & get some more cables!

This BBS is friggen fantastic!

Thanks for your input
AlChuck
CyanJaguar
Pratt

[nattn]

Ok, I'm using AlChuck's config & everything is working great! One thing I can't figure out though, when channel 1 is routed to 3/4, How do I mute that channel?

Also, what is the best way to route my FX processor to my board?

[AlChuck]

One thing I can't figure out though, when channel 1 is routed to 3/4, How do I mute that channel?

Pull down the Alt 3/4 fader, or have the Alt 3-4 to Mix button disengaged

Also, what is the best way to route my FX processor to my board?

Use the Aux sends and returns.

[nattn]

thanks Alchuck.

you are only one post from 1k! So i'll ask you one more ? I do not quite understand the Art Compressor that I just purchased. Let's say my mic is in channel 1 using the phantom power of the Behringer. Where do I put the compressor?

[pratt]

nattn-

Unfortunately, the Behringer does not have channel inserts - this is where you normally would plug your compressor into. Here's one way of patching in your compressor with this mixer:

take the Alt3/4 outs into the compressor; route the channel that you want compressed through the Alt3/4 bus; take the compressor outs into an empty channel on your board

this is a pretty lame way of doing it since you can't really send the channel to Alt3/4 bus pre-EQ/fader and whatnot - but unless you have an external preamp it may be the only way. I use an external preamp w/phantom power (Presonus Bluetube) - I can then take the preamp outs into the compressor and then from the compressor into a channel on the board and into my mix. That's too many pieces in the chain - but it's all I got for now and it works for me.

pratt

[nattn]

Thanks Pratt,

What I may do is get a external preamp & run a chain like this: mic=pre=compressor=breakout box & bypass the mixer altogether. I've heard good things about the blue tube, what do you think of the art tube MP ? It's on sale for like 79 bucks at a local joint here in LA. The salesman said the preamp is pretty killer especially on his Bass

[AlChuck]

The Behringer does have an aux send and return (or is it a pair of them even?)

Hey, I made 1,000 within a year of signing up... actually that's not quite true, I probably signed up in early March last year...

[pratt]

From my experience - the bluetube and ART tube mp are very similar - I got the bluetube because I needed 2 channels and the price was righ ($150). I looked at the ART dual tube mp - which is basically two tube mps put together in one rack and hooked up to a good power supply. it was $100 more than the bluetube, though, and my budget's tight. I think that the chain that you mentioned as long as you only want to record that 1 thing on 1 track. I'm recording a drumkit with 6 mics so I need to submix some of the stuff before going into the breakout box (which only has 4 ins/outs)

yeah, I use the bluetube on my bass as well and it kicks butt - it really fattens up the sound alot. I normally use it as a preamp/phantom power source for 2 rode nt3s that I use as drumset overheads. if you only need 1 channel - 80bucks is a pretty good price for the tube mp though

AlChuck - it was my understanding that effects loops weren't so good for compressors - since with compressors you want to 'compress' the whole signal, not just part - and it's virtually impossible to send 100% of the signal with a loop, unless you want extreme noise - this is why inserts are normally used

[AlChuck]

Pratt, that makes sense...