Recording Digital using PA9 and Layla 26/96

  • Thread starter Thread starter Timmy
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It would help to know what it is you want to record and what equipment you have. In it's simplest terms, it's:

microphone -> preamp -> Layla.

Set Layla as your input source for an audio track in PA9 and push the record button. Sing into mic.
 
Well, I've been recording full songs with all intruments for years now. But Im looking to up the sound quality from home to professinal. I guess im just not sure how digital works fully yet. Do I need to run something into my digital in's on Layla, or does my analog ins atomaticly convert to digital format?

As far as my equipment goes, I have...
Computer, P4, 392 RAM, Windows XP
Cakewalk PA9
Echo Layla 24/96
2 Amps
Peavy RQ 880 FX Mixer
And other stuff.
 
Your analog Ins convert the signal to digital. The digital inputs are for digital signal only.
 
Would I have better quality if I run in through the digital in's? It seem that I dont have the Crisp sound as other recordings.
 
Well, somewhere your signal needs to be converted from analog to digital. Most commonly this conversion takes place via the sound card.

If you have another way of converting A to D that is better than the converters on your sound card, then by all means use it.

If you have no other way of converting A to D, then you can't use the digital inputs. As chalin said, the digital inputs are for digital signals only.
 
What settings are you using in cakewalk? I have Pro Audio 9 as well. I use the gina card. I have my settings are 24 bits / 48 mhz sampling rate. I would definitely check out the sampling rate. I would definitley take advantage of the 96 sampling rate if your going analog to digital.
 
I had been using 24 bit audio depth and 96k sampling rate. Is there a product I can buy that will run 8 analog ins and run out a single optical or some form of digital out into Layla, and convert back to 8 seperate inputs in cakewalk, and have be better quality then what im doing now?
 
Timmy -

Something is not right with your system. The Layla is reputed to be a pretty good sound card. If you are recording through the Layla at 24 bit and 96.0 sample rate, then either there is something wrong in your setup, or your "upstream" stuff is a problem.

The quality of your recorded sound is going to be essentially a function of your mics, pre-amps, and a/d converters (leaving aside talent for the moment). Since I'm led to believe the Layla has decent a/d converters, why don't you tell us what mics and pre-amps you are using. That is likely to be where your problem lies.

Approaching the problem from the standpoint of trying to bring a digital signal into the Layla is not the way to go. You should be fine with the Layla and an analog signal. Let's work on the quality of the analog signal your are providing.

Also, when you say you are lacking the "crisp" sound of other recordings, what exactly do you mean?
 
Ok, here is how everything is routed for like recording a guitar track... Guitar into Chameleon Effects Prosessor - out two 1/4" cables left and right - Into Layla analog inputs 1 and 2 - out Layla into cakewalk. And as far as Mics go, its the same exept it go's, Mic to Peavy 12 channel sound board to Layla 1/4" agian.

Im going to upload a mp3 of a song Ive recorded so you can here what it sounds like. This is one of the better sounding quality wise ones, but... Now, its not a bad sound by any means, just not as good as it could be I think. Keep in mind as well the drums arent nice drum mics, there cheap rado shack mics.(I will be getting nice top of the line AKD, Shure Drum mics within the week :) ) Actully, this piticular song uses computer made drums, sorry.

The Link is...
 
Timmy - I'm not familiar with the Peavy mixer, so I can't speak to the quality of its pre-amps. My guess, though, is that your mics and the pre-amps in the Peavy are the weak links here.

Sounds like your on the road to better mics. That should help.

As regards "computer made drums", are you speaking about midi. In that case, the quality is a result of the samples being used. What are you using as your midi source?
 
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