series of recording questions

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musicsdarkangel

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Here are some specific and general questions, any of them answered would be greatly appreciated. My setup is a Shure SM57 into a Delta 66 soundcard (omnistudio package), to Cubase. A line 6 ax2 amp and Ibanez S470 (yes Ibanez's I'm not too huge into, but my Ibanez is the only one i've heard so far that plays great blues, and all around, which is sorta comical if you ask me).

1. I have a line 6 ax2, and was wondering if I can directly record it, meaning directly connect it to the soundcard.

2. My sound simply sucks, and only through cubase. If I use N-track or something else, it sounds MUCH more full and better, and I'm wondering what could possibly be the problem. I can't use another program cause I always have problems with em (i know sorta ironic that I'm using cubase)

3. How loud do you guys normally mic your guitar(s)? Like how loud do you turn up the amp?

4. For some reason, when I record through my soundcard into Cubase, it has even more lows than it used to. wha?!

5. Is there a way to put more than two mics into my Delta 66 soundcard? There are two front inputs, and I think I have to split them, but are wondering if there are ways to do more than two.

6. Is it better to put on amp reverb or put in Room Machine after the recording? Probably the first but just curious.

7. In programs not like Cubase, where there are no options for an audio click track/metranome, I can't use it cause it says theres no midi device. Do any of you know how to fix this?

8. In Cubase, how do I put an effect on only a certain part of a track? Sorry stupid question, but I really need help.

Any questions answered or tips would be greatly appreciated, and if not, you guys still rock.

thanks.
 
Wow. ...looks like you save up all your questions for one big bang :D Here's my 2c:

1. I have a line 6 ax2, and was wondering if I can directly record it, meaning directly connect it to the soundcard.
-----I believe you can, but you'll probably get better results with a mic. I want to say there's a preamp-out jack in the back (it's been a while since I've seen one).

2. My sound simply sucks, and only through cubase. If I use N-track or something else, it sounds MUCH more full and better, and I'm wondering what could possibly be the problem. I can't use another program cause I always have problems with em (i know sorta ironic that I'm using cubase).
-----That doesn't sound like anything I've heard of, but it's definitely a Cubase problem. You may need to re-detect the ASIO settings, and/or re-install your driver. The book has a decent troubleshooting section - just go through the steps and see where you end up (I know, not very helpful).

3. How loud do you guys normally mic your guitar(s)? Like how loud do you turn up the amp?
-----I don't have a db meter, but I like to record the amp pretty hot for distorted sound. Probably just under gig volume (loud enough to hear with a drummer).

4. For some reason, when I record through my soundcard into Cubase, it has even more lows than it used to. wha?!
-----let's hope that correcting the other Cubase problem will correct this too.

6. Is it better to put on amp reverb or put in Room Machine after the recording? Probably the first but just curious.
-----It's a matter of opinion, but actually I'd recommend the latter (assuming you mean plug-in reverb). I usually have a hair of reverb on the amp (barely enough to round it out a bit). Then I've still got control in the mix.

7. In programs not like Cubase, where there are no options for an audio click track/metranome, I can't use it cause it says theres no midi device. Do any of you know how to fix this?
-----you kinda lost me on that one, but I'm assuming it only supports a MIDI click. I'm not sure if your delta has MIDI or not, but if it doesn't (and it's the only card in your system) then you've got nothing to play MIDI and you're probably hosed. You could however, record a click with a drum machine or keyboard ...or even mic a cheap metronome :D

8. In Cubase, how do I put an effect on only a certain part of a track? Sorry stupid question, but I really need help.
----- You can do it via effect automation (if you're using a newer version), but I like to:
1) backup the track and disarm the backup to save CPU power.
2) Chop the waveform up (cut it with the scissors) and
3) Apply destructive effects to the pieces I want to process.

Hope this helps a bit
 
lol how do you do that? In wave lab? Sorry i'm not a very smart guy with this cubase stuff. All I know is how to apply an effect to a whole track. Thanks so much for answering those, you have no idea how much I appreciate it.



People you can answer too! I wanna see other feedback :)
 
To be honest, I use Nuendo now, but I clocked a lot of hours behind Cubasis when I first got started ...that was a lot of brain-cells ago though :D

You should be able to make a slice in the track (in Cubase) with a scissors-looking icon (you may have to double click the track first). That just creates a split point (nothing audible). Then do the same thing and make another cut at the end of the passage you want to process. Then just click the section in the middle and process the effect.

I'm fuzzy on the menu selections, but you don't want to use the channel insert effects, you want to select the effect from a pull-down menu while the piece is highlighted.

...just make sure your track is backed up first. It's destructive (permanent) so you can't change your mind later.
 
2. Maybe the bitrate is on low or one of the sound quality options in preferences is set to lowest, just a thought.
-DAN
 
6. Usually people record the instrument and then add reverb, that way you are not completely stuck with the original recording, in case you want to adjust it. It's just easier that way :)
-DAN
 
ooo another question.


Can I get a better quality for encoding if I did the song at 96000 rather than 44100?

Cuase I have that option, but not shure whether to record at fullest or if that'll kill my size. I'm trying to make files for a site with a 750 kb limit.
 
Can I get a better quality for encoding if I did the song at 96000 rather than 44100?
Click to expand...

750kb? Wow that's tight unless you're only making 30 second sniplets - it'd be fine for that.

Generally, recording at 96khz will produce much better results after you've applied effects & eq, etc.. You end up dithering back down to 44100 before encoding, but then the effects have more room to work with when they're applied. The end result is much better.

Thing is, if you're trying to encode 3-4 minutes of audio down to 750k, the quality is going to be pretty bad.

Look into encoding mp3's using VBR (variable bit rate). It's probably your best shot.
 
5. Is there a way to put more than two mics into my Delta 66 soundcard? There are two front inputs, and I think I have to split them, but are wondering if there are ways to do more than two.
Click to expand...

I'm at work right now, so bear with me as I'm trying to explain this without seeing the box in front of me...

You can also record using the Line Inputs 3 & 4 on the back of the Omni. They are 1/4" jacks, so you'll need a preamp to power up a mic for those. In the M-Audio control panel (I don't remember for sure if that's the right name or not) you can see all of your inputs/outputs and can change the panning/volume levels accordingly. It's best to leave the control panel volume for each track maxed out and adjust the gain at the preamp.

I don't have Cubase (currently using Vegas), but maybe some of this applies. In Vegas, to select preamp 1 on the Omni, you select to record channel 1, left. For the second preamp, select channel 1, right. I don't recall right off hand what the name for channels 3 & 4 is, but it would probably be easier for you to dig into it and find them in the control panel yourself instead of me giving a wrong name.

You might want to check out this page from M-Audio. It's about Cubasis, but it might have some helpful info for you.

http://www.m-audio.com/support/how_to/cubasis/cubasis.php

Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll try to answer them. Good luck!
 
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