Help/Advice?!

  • Thread starter Thread starter openocean
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openocean

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I've been trying to record guitar using Reaper (or anything else really) and a Behringer UCA222 audio interface. So far I haven't got a peep besides some low electrical hum. Do I need a preamp before the audio interface? Maybe a mixer? Why can't I plug an amp output into the interface?

I'm getting very frustrated because (and I know this will be scoffed at) I used to use garageband and could plug my guitar DIRECTLY into the computer (1/4" -> 1/8" cable) and it sounded just fine. Sure, not studio quality, but it worked. And it was simple. Buuut that computer was destroyed.

How much equipment do I have to buy just to hear the guitar through the computer? I like the idea of using a more powerful DAW than garageband but don't have the time to become a recording engineer. I'd prefer to spend more time making music than tinkering with software/drivers/etc.

Any advice?
 
You're the 3rd person I've seen around here in the last couple of days having trouble with a Behri interface getting a signal to your DAW. I'm starting to think there are some inherent issues with that interface...

Anyways, from looking at that Behri unit, it looks like the inputs are expecting a line-level signal. An electric guitar outputs a lower voltage signal than line-level, so yes you'd want a preamp of some sort between your guitar and the Behri interface's inputs. Either a stand-alone preamp, a modeler, or a mixer would work.

But that doesn't really explain the "nothing but a low-level hum" issue you're having. Even with the weak guitar signal, I'd expect you to be able to hear at least a faint guitar sound along with the hum. Another user was reporting a similar issue recently, not able to hear anything but a hum from a Behri UCA...that issue still isn't resolved so I'm not sure what to suggest. It's most likely something to do in the configuration between Reaper, the UCA's control panel, and which drivers to use.
 
I've never used that device, but just looking at the manual, it looks to have only line level inputs. Sooo.... Unfortunately, yes, you will need a preamp of some sort. If your guitar amp has a 'line-out', or 'preamp out', or 'effect send' jack, you should be able to use that directly. You will just need an adapter to get the signal into the RCA Jack on your interface.

You'll also need to make sure you install an ASIO driver for the interface, so your computer and software will recognize it. The unit should have come with a driver.

After that, in Reaper you need to go to preferences->audio and select your interface as the audio device.

Final step is to insert a new track, arm it for recording, and select a channel. Your device has only two so pick the one you plugged into and you should be good to go.

It's really not as difficult as I'm making it sound....

Good luck!
 
Tadpui said:
the inputs are expecting a line-level signal...
Click to expand...

I agree with that too. the interface is designed to go between a mixer or PA and your computer. So you are missing the line level signal by the sounds of it. Can you get a line level out of your guitar amp? Might need an adapter cable though...1/4 TS to RCA.
Once you get that problem sorted, then consider your ASIO driver...


Here's the instruction manual for the interface...
http://www.behringer.com/assets/UCA222_P0A31_M_EN.pdf
 
PS - I can't tell for sure from reading the manual, but it looks like that interface doesn't have hardware monitoring capability, so if you want to record a track and then play along with it as you record another track, you'll need to enable monitoring in Reaper. Check the help file to learn how to do this.
 
So pre-amp it is. The headphone jack of an amp (combo amp) doesn't seem to do the trick. Why is that? Neither does a multi-effects processor pedal. I thought that acted as a modeler as it has effects and amp modeling options (Digitech RP500).

And just out of curiosity - how is it that garageband was able to pick up plenty of signal directly from the guitar?
 
I'm not sure the lack if a preamp is your only problem. Headphone out from your amp will have the wrong impedance, so it's probably not a great solution, but it should give you something. I'd work on drivers and configuration before adding a preamp to the mix. One of the other sources you mention might be just fine once you get things working right. If you are getting no signal at all from the headphone out, something else is wrong.

Also, the ability of your previous computer to get a signal you we're happy with directly from you guitar has more to do with the computers hardware than with GarageBand. My guessing that if you get Reapers configuration set up right, you can get a signal the mic jack if this computer too, but I wouldn't recommend it.
 
openocean said:
So pre-amp it is. The headphone jack of an amp (combo amp) doesn't seem to do the trick. Why is that? Neither does a multi-effects processor pedal. I thought that acted as a modeler as it has effects and amp modeling options (Digitech RP500).

And just out of curiosity - how is it that garageband was able to pick up plenty of signal directly from the guitar?
Click to expand...

First of all....DON'T connect your headphone out to a line level input. The Headphone output is way too hot and is tied normally to your master volume control...just don't...

Second, you have some very good questions here, but perhaps you can punch those questions into the googlenet and do a little research. I personally won't try to handle those questions for you, because for one...I'm not exactly an expert on the issue, and two...some self directed learning is good for you if you want to make the most of what you do with your gear.

As for your garageband comparison...your computer sound card was taking the low impedance instrument signal and converting it up to a more powerful signal internally. your guitar puts out a signal just like a microphone does. Both need alittle boost to be of any use. Now that you are using the interface, you need that little boost from a pre-amp, because your USB connection is not feeding your sound card...

Basic explanation that hopefully makes some sense for you.
 
openocean said:
So pre-amp it is. The headphone jack of an amp (combo amp) doesn't seem to do the trick. Why is that? Neither does a multi-effects processor pedal. I thought that acted as a modeler as it has effects and amp modeling options (Digitech RP500).
Click to expand...

The RP500 should do the trick. The line outputs of the RP500 should send a sufficiently strong signal to the line inputs of your interface, provided that you adapt the 1/4" to RCA. If you're still not getting a signal, then it's gotta be a configuration issue between Reaper and the Behri Control Panel.

And just out of curiosity - how is it that garageband was able to pick up plenty of signal directly from the guitar?
Click to expand...

I think that this reinforces the idea that it's a configuration issue. If Garageband can get a signal, so should Reaper.
 
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Just looked at the manual fir your RP500. It DOES have line-level out capability. You'll need 1/4" to RCA adapter cords. Connect them to the left and right output jacks if the RP500 and to the input jacks of your interface. Press the mixer/amp switch on the back of the RP500 to mixer (ie. button pressed in), and you're good to go. You DO NOT need any other hardware. If it still isn't working, your problem is with configuration/driver, or how you are using the audio software.
 
You're getting great advice and helpful answers.

But, you should still be getting SOMETHING. If you can't hear anything at all, there's another problem besides impedance and line-level signals, etc....

It could be something very simple like....Do you have Monitoring ON in REAPER? Have you selected your interface as your audio device in REAPER and in your computer? Are you SEEING a level going into an armed channel? Or, for that matter, have you armed a channel?
 
I have just plugged my 202 into this HP I3 W7/64 laptop. No problem, I simply set the "device" to USB CODEC and I could hear a nice clean track.
This worked even tho' the W7 sound system said things were set for the internal card and so it seems that Reaper sorts all this out for you?

Getting a recording channel working was a tiny bit more work, I am not familiar with Reaper, but I did it and a wet finger buzz test showed the box to be working.

OP HAS got the 222 switched to "monitor" I trust??!!!

Dave.
 
Alright -- the RP500 also has a direct USB input, and I happened to have the right cable. Couldn't run that under ASIO, but could under other sound drivers but with terrible latency. So ran out and got the correct 1/4" to RCA cables, ran them from RP500 to interface to computer and boom. Works like a charm with ASIO. Probably some weird configuration settings in the depths of my computer that are above my head, but the RCA cable method works perfect.

Thank you for your input everyone!
 
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