In desperate need of some input to save my sanity

  • Thread starter Thread starter suguemeseco
  • Start date Start date
S

suguemeseco

New member
I've recently decided that i'm going to attempt to boost the amount of material for my band, by writing music in my garage. The band has always had a Zoom R16 and Cubase LE6. I had an idea that if i could get some basic beats and keys that i could write some basic stuff, so i picked up a AKAI LPK25 to be my midi controller. The problems i've run into, i believe i have the answers for, i just need confirmation.

First, the Zoom R16 does not work with MIDI so i have to plug the LPK25 into my computer... which doesn't have the best sound card. I'm having horrible latency issues and i've come to figure that i probably need to get either a new sound card (which is difficult on a laptop) or some sort of interface.

My question is what are some of the options that would make the best sense for me? I just want to be able to run plugins to have some different sounds for synths and drums and not have horrible latency issues. And i'll be using the Zoom R16 for my instrument tracking. Basically i have come to the decision that i'm probably going to have to buy an interface, but isnt that was the Zoom R16 is?

I'M SO CONFUSED!!!

p.s. thanks for reading another post that i'm sure alot of you are rolling your eyes at. Much appreciated!!! :)
 
I believe that your latency issues are not necessarily related to your MIDI controller. It would be the power of your computer that is inadequate. How well it handles the plugins is what is causing latency with the LPK. I haven't a clue as to how well the R16 performs regarding its latency as a soundcard, and not even sure that matters. Do you have the R16 as your default audio device in Windows? Are you using a PC? What OS? What are your system specs? Are you using LE6?
 
jimmys69 said:
I believe that your latency issues are not necessarily related to your MIDI controller. It would be the power of your computer that is inadequate. How well it handles the plugins is what is causing latency with the LPK. I haven't a clue as to how well the R16 performs regarding its latency as a soundcard, and not even sure that matters. Do you have the R16 as your default audio device in Windows? Are you using a PC? What OS? What are your system specs? Are you using LE6?
Click to expand...

To add to Jimmy's post, why would you not create the beats on the DAW and record them to the R16? Plus, you won't have to lug your computer everywhere when tracking.
 
And to address one other thing you mentioned - a USB audio interface will act as the 'new' soundcard with your laptop, if you decide to go that route.
 
first of all, i would like to thank you guys for responding. I know my problems are that of a beginner, but i was never really educated on any of this stuff.

I don't have the R16 as my default driver in windows... i did not know i was supposed to do that. I actually have recorded decently with this in the past, but instruments and live band practices.

I am using a PC and its Windows 8, with an intel i5 chip 2.5ghz, 6 gigs of ram, 64 bit. I am using cubase LE6. I've read enough on this site that i need to improve my latency somehow and the way my brain thinks is that i just need to get a better audio card. But is there really no way i can run a clean midi track to cubase with the system i'm running?

And how do you mean write the beats on my DAW and record them to my r16? I don't need a MIDI controller to write beats and play key tracks out of just cubase?

So, if i go purchase a usb interface, are there ones that will change the way i use everything? Will the usb interface replace my Zoom R16?
 
suguemeseco said:
first of all, i would like to thank you guys for responding. I know my problems are that of a beginner, but i was never really educated on any of this stuff.

I don't have the R16 as my default driver in windows... i did not know i was supposed to do that. I actually have recorded decently with this in the past, but instruments and live band practices.

I am using a PC and its Windows 8, with an intel i5 chip 2.5ghz, 6 gigs of ram, 64 bit. I am using cubase LE6. I've read enough on this site that i need to improve my latency somehow and the way my brain thinks is that i just need to get a better audio card. But is there really no way i can run a clean midi track to cubase with the system i'm running?

And how do you mean write the beats on my DAW and record them to my r16? I don't need a MIDI controller to write beats and play key tracks out of just cubase?

So, if i go purchase a usb interface, are there ones that will change the way i use everything? Will the usb interface replace my Zoom R16?
Click to expand...

The R16 is your USB interface.

On MIDI, technically, no. It is easier if you play keyboards, but 99% of all DAWs have MIDI track/drums, you may have to get the sounds, record that to a separate track as audio, then use the R16 as the monitor for when you are recording your band mates. I may be saying advance use, but you have a USB interface with the R16. Set it up as your primary audio and all sounds should come out of your DAW through this machine. That is the great thing about the new portastudios, they are very flexible.

There are a few people who use these day in day out (Either the R16 or a Tascam, but they are technically the same). Jimmy69 uses a portastudio, he can help guide you through the process. Until he answers, don't go buying anything. You have much of what you already need.

I know how they work, just can't walk you through the steps.
 
Thank you. So i basically went out and unnecessarily purchased this LPK25... haha.

Okay, so i can do everything i would be able to do with the LPK25... on the Zoom R16...

Sometimes you need things spelled out for ya...
 
i guess i'm a little confused. How would i record drums without a controller? The Zoom R16 doesn't have pads.

I do have a Microkorg as well and i know this will work as keys of course and midi... would these also be able to trigger drums?
 
DM60 said:
The R16 is your USB interface. Jimmy69 uses a portastudio, he can help guide you through the process. Until he answers, don't go buying anything. You have much of what you already need.
Click to expand...


Actually, I don't use a portastudio. Misunderstanding there.

Ok, let's make sure you are setup correctly with what you have:

In Windows, you need to select your R16 as your default audio device. Not sure how this is done in W8, but it is a necessity in W7 if you wish to replace the crappy internal soundcard (which you do). In W7, it would be Start (I hear this is a tough one to find in W8)> Control Panel>Sound. You would select the R16 as default for everything. Playback/recording/sounds..



Within Cubase; Devices>Device Setup...>VST Audio System. From the drop down menu at the top of the window, select your interface (R16). If it is not listed, then you have a bigger issue regarding drivers that work with Windows 8.

Once you select that, click on the listed unit on the previous page. It will be a sub-category under VST Audio System. This is where you will find the Control Panel for your interface. Click on 'Control Panel' there to access your latency/buffer settings. OK, apply, whatever from there.

Now, to enable your LPK25 in Cubase, Go to the same... Devices>Device Setup... At the top left of the window, click on the '+' sign. You will get a list of available 'installed' drivers for MIDI control drivers. Select the one for your Akai (if you actually installed it already).

Now, if there are issues with your drivers for either your R16 or the keyboard, go to the manufacturers website and download Windows 8 drivers, then repeat the steps above.

Keep in mind, Cubase LE6 has a 'Virtual Keyboard' option, that will allow you to use your typing keyboard as an input device for any VSTi instrument. Again, Devices>Virtual Keyboard. Make sure your "Transport Panel' is in view, as this is where it shows up. The rest is pretty self explanatory, though there are many options once you get up and running.

Let me know if any of this helped.

Great advice not to spend money until you find out if what you have will work for your needs. Sometimes we just have to learn how to use what we have before making decisions....
 
suguemeseco said:
i guess i'm a little confused. How would i record drums without a controller? The Zoom R16 doesn't have pads.

I do have a Microkorg as well and i know this will work as keys of course and midi... would these also be able to trigger drums?
Click to expand...

My instructions will work the same for any MIDI device. As long as the driver for the controller is installed, and it works with Cubase (almost all will), you will be good to go. Most controllers have a separate program that you use to setup the MIDI note outputs, but you should get connection right off the batt. It is up to you to configure the controller with any VSTi that you are using. Again, if it don't work, you need to verify that you have the correct drivers for the controller/interface for Windows 8 from the manufacturer of the devices.
 
thanks so much man, i will give this a shot tonight and i'll get back to ya
 
the latency is still trash on cubase. The notes seam to fade off and are weak, and the time between hitting the note and the sound is not good.

It's because i can't plug midi into the R16, i have to plug the LPK25 into my computer using my sound card, and i think thats the reason why.

Also, when i'm setting up the ins and outs to the left of the track when recording in cubase, i make LPK25 the in but what should be the out? It always defaults to this microsoft GS wavetable synth. What is this? Is this basically a generic plugin?
 
also, the lpk25 is plug and play and there are no drivers for it.
 
strike that. I was trying to set up midi recording tracks instead of trying to control a vst instrument. Everything works fantastically.

Thanks alot guys, this sounds great!
 
suguemeseco said:
strike that. I was trying to set up midi recording tracks instead of trying to control a vst instrument. Everything works fantastically.

Thanks alot guys, this sounds great!
Click to expand...

Nice! That's what we want to hear! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top