Setup Questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter ChadP56
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ChadP56

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After about a year, I think I'm close to collecting all the equipment (I just got a mixer). I need to start recording songs I've written . I still need a little help.

First, I have a mackie DFX12 Mixer, I'm coming out of only one of the Left/Right outputs with an 1/8th inch plug into my computers input. It seems to record fine and give me a stereo recording when I play it back, however I am only hearing the sound out of one side of my speakers while I'm monitoring my recording. Is this ok? If not, do I need s diffrent cord or adapter or something? Any suggestions?

Secondly, I can plug my acoustic/electric guitar directly into my mixer. However, the sound didn't seem so great. Is it better to record it with a mic in front of my guitar? (I have a Sm57).

Thanks for the help in advance!
 
If you want to plug in your guitar, the input must be designed specifically as a high-impedance (Hi-Z) instrument input. Not familiar with that Mackie board, but I bet it doesn't have that. Either get a separate DI box or, like you said, jsut mic your guitar as normal.

You're monitoring from the board (in which case, I have no idea why there would be a difference) or are you monitoring from the computer while you're recording? What program are you using?
 
You should get an adapter cable to use the RCA Tape out to send to the computer like this one .
That will give you true stereo separation from the mixer to the soundcard.
Without having a DI box for the guitar, you will pry have a hard time getting a good sound. If you have an amp, you could mic it with the 57. Other than that, you may want to look into a decent LD condenser mic.
Check out this link and maybe this one .
 
Thanks

Just got back into town. Thanks for the help. I guess I'll just use the SM57 to mike my acoustic guitar. I'll try the adapter you suggested. Thanks again.
 
Still Messed up

OK, I picked up the correct cord. However, I still only get sound out of the right speaker/headphones. From the mixer I'm sending the signal to my line in on my sound card. I'm using the cable note above. I am sending the output to a stero with speakers for monitoring purposes. I'm not yet sending it back to the mixer though I still think I would be getting only sound form one speaker? I'm confused. The DI box thing helped me figure out recording my acoustic. I think I'm going to mic it for now and see how that is. I'll pick up a DI box soon too.
 
please tell us what software you are using.
if multitrack software go to the track properties and set the track to MONO
not stereo then pan the track anywhere you want.
 
Software

I'm using cool edit pro 1.2 I've found it one of the easier ones to use for a someone with litte experience. I'll try your tip.
 
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