Cu-base monitoring

[money]

I am a new Cu-base user I just don't understand something about the way Cu-base monitors. I can't make heads or tails out of what the manual is saying.
So If I use Cu-base monitoring there is that annoying delay, which is unaviodable? right? So if I don't monitor using Cu-base I need an external mixer? Mabye? And I can't use the mixer in cu-base at all if I don't monitor with Cu-base? I'm really confused!help is greatly apprciated!thanks!

[money]

Thanks CMiller that helps alot! as of now I have a real crappy soud card. Once I get a new one I'll test out all the great info you gave me. I'm Stuck with nothing right now (: so I'll get back to you, thanks again!

[CMiller]

It's a little tricky isn't it? I had the problem too, I'd imagine everyone does, but it's no big deal really. You'll be able to use the mixer in Cubase for submixing your tracks, no problem. What you will need to do is set levels with your soundcard. Any incoming signal will bypass Cubase's mixer and come out the other side with the recorded signal. Does that make sense? Here's how to do this...

Go into the "system" menu from the Audio menu. You see where it says "monitoring"? Select "global disable" and you shouldn't have anymore problems.

For further information, check your manual page 49.

What you will need to do is make sure you're system mixer is configured to be able to hear the signal...it probably already is, but just go there and check, or hop in and try recording.

By the way, I might as well run through this as well. When setting levels initially, here is what I do.

1) Set the level at my mixer. Or as may be the case for someone else, set your level on your mic preamp.

2) Set incoming signal's level on my soundcard's input. I, unfortunatly, don't have a level meter in my soundcard mixer software. I jump back and forth between the soundcard mixer and Cubase (where I've selected the "in" button on top of the level meter on the mixer; see it?) until I'm sure my level is satisfactory.

3) Record my part.

4) Deselect the "in" button so I can see my "tape" signal.

At this point (assuming my take was a good one) I'm ready to use Cubase's mixer for EQ, Effects, whatever my heart desires.

I hope this helps you out. I know how demanding this stuff can be, but as weird as it may sound to you now, it's not that big of a deal. I use a soundblaster card, but if I had a real recording card, I wouldn't have to jump back and forth between Cubase and the card's software as they put level meters in the card's software.

Before you sour on Cubase, understand that this isn't a Cubase bug, you would still have to monitor the input levels on your card regardless of what recording software you use.

Hope I helped you out. Anymore questions, I'll do my best to help.

[money]

CMiller, I'm still a little confused actually. Do I need an external mixer to monitor without using Cu-base, or can I just use the sound card set-up that you explained to me? Thanks again

[CMiller]

No, you don't need a mixer to monitor the output from your soundcard. I'd certainly recommend a mic pre of some kind, be it stand alone unit or mixer, at the front end of the signal chain. But at the tail end, you can get by without one. Just run the soundcard "out" into your powered monitors or whatever it is that you're using.

Here is the signal chain you'll be following...

1) instrument

2) microphone

3) mic pre (either stand alone or as part of a mixer)

4) soundcard

5) soundcard mixing application

6) Cubase (this will be active during playback of prerecorded material, otherwise it'll be bypassed)

7) soundcard mixing application

8) soundcard

9) (you can run the signal back into a mixer at this stage if you have one, if not skip this step)

10) power amp (in the case of unpowered monitors)

11) speaker

This is a real basic signal chain, not including effects or anything else you're going to throw in there.

[money]

Thanks again. Is there a decent sound card ($300 or less) which is esspially good for recording with Cu-base? What do you use? how do you like it? Have you heard any recomendations?

[CMiller]

There are a ton of soundcards out there that work great with all kinds of software including Cubase. You can find all kinds of information on this BBS, but you've got to look for it. What I've got is irrelevent since my card isn't that great.

[money]

Sorry about crossing the posts! thanks again

[money]

C-Miller, will the fact that my processor is an AMD K-6 affect they way my computer runs Cu-base? Or they way it interacts with my sound card? Both Cu-base and the Darla 24 list Pentium II as a system requirement. Am I up the creek?

[CMiller]

I think you need to check some of the answers others have given you already. I can't really add anything further.

One more suggestion: Don't cross-post, you'll get responses just fine by posting your question once. I've seen four places on here where your soundcard/AMD compatabiltiy question has been answered. Go check it out.