Super noob here - DAW / interface help

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dtfkev

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Hello, sorry for being the definition of a noob here but i figure i need to start somewhere.

I've been reading over the FAQ's and stickies this evening and figured I'd make my first post.

I'll start off by saying I play zero instruments, have zero musical talent, and have never done any kind of editing what so ever.

My friends have been involved with music for as long as i can remember and i'd like to start getting involved. being the only one in the group that is tech savy enough to edit / record i'd like to get it a shot.

I've purchased a avid mbox interface and a copy of protools 10.

Too no surprise the software is much to advanced for me and i'm having problems running the interface the way I'd like. (output through PC speakers. apparantly avid interfaces are unable to do this?!?)

So I come to you HR goer's asking for advice.

What interface / editing software would you recomend to someone in my situation?

I'll need to be able to record everything (vocals, bass, guitar) except for drums so i'll need something with some sort of drum machine built in?

ANY reply is helpful!

thanks,

kevin
 
Youtube has a tone of videos on learning pro tools. most are geared for the beginner. In just a few hours time you could have a pretty good understanding of the basics of pro tools. Any DAW software is going to have some learning curve, if you haven't ever used one.
The interface you have is fine. you just need to learn the I/O of your set up.

you should be able to set your system up to record in on the Maudio box, and set the output up to your normal computer output with your computer speakers... unless you have a fantastic sound card in your computer the Maudio would probably sound s bit better on playback (output). Avid Protools - how to setup your audio device - YouTube

depending on what type of computer speakers you have.. you could take the plug in for the computer speakers, get a 1/8" (assuming the is the size plug for your speakers) to 1/4" adapter, and plug them into your headphone out put on the maudio
 
I think Toastedgoat has nailed it on the head there. Any DAW will have a learning curve, although as it's your first DAW you do have the added benefit of not expecting things to be where they are in other DAW's (that's the thing that always slows me down at first when i try new DAWs). Also, bare in mind, it might seem too advanced at the moment, but once you've got your head around it and started recording and mixing you'll be very grateful for having the advanced tools.

And as toastedgoat said, plugging your computer speakers into the outputs of the Mbox will make life much much easier.

There is also a protools specific forum on here if you hit any walls/have any problems/just want to ask something protools specific
 
Appreciate the links!

Watching some vids now.

I have my mbox plugged in via USB.

I have my speakers plugged into my computer via optic cable into my sound card.

The mbox doesn't have an optical port :(
 
Ahh, that is a pain. Do the speakers have any analogue in's or is it only optical?

The cheapest solution would be something like this.

What speakers have you got out of interest?
 
only optical :(

not sure on exact model #

its a logitech 5.1 system though
 
Then I'd use the soundcard in your computer as your output, you can select in pro tool set up .
Correct soundcard for ProTools.mov - YouTube

This may not be exactly like your set up, but the menu selection area should be about the same.
you'd just have to select your playback as your computers sound card.
 
very weird

only has my interface as an option not showing my soundcard.
 
dtfkev said:
very weird

only has my interface as an option not showing my soundcard.
Click to expand...

I am probably wrong (as I usually am with computer stuff!) but I do not think you will be able to have a different playback "device" from the recording one? At least not with ASIO drivers.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
I am probably wrong (as I usually am with computer stuff!) but I do not think you will be able to have a different playback "device" from the recording one? At least not with ASIO drivers.

Dave.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm thinking, too. Most DAW's won't allow you to select multiple devices. Has PT changed in the last version to do that??

Most likely, you have to get speakers for your mbox. Not a problem, you should be doing that anyways. For now, try headphones into the mbox.
 
Chili said:
This is what I'm thinking, too. Most DAW's won't allow you to select multiple devices. Has PT changed in the last version to do that??
Click to expand...

And that's another reason why Logic 9 is mega awesome :D

Oh.....hang on..... this isn't the logic forums....... :facepalm:

And chili's right; although it's not ideal in the long run, to get you started and into using PT's a pair of headphones into the Mbox will make do
 
I do it all the time in cubase starting with sx3 and still do it now with cubase 5. I also do it on the mac with logic and DP.. you go into the control panel of the computer, then hardware and sound, then manage audio devices, then scroll down through playback till you find your computers soundcard/speakers set up. make sure it is set to your computers set up.

then you go to the setup in pro tools and choose from the available options, under audio connections )or something similar, it should show both your m audio and your computers sound cards, Most DAW's allow you to use multiple audio devices. I know that cubase, logic pro,and Digital Performer do.

if you watch the video that I posted it shows you how to select the playback (it calls it an engine) device you want to select. choose the one you want. it will become your playback selection. pretty simple,, just follow what the video does

you do have to make sure that the control panel playback device is also selected in some cases.
 
Toastedgoat said:
I do it all the time in cubase starting with sx3 and still do it now with cubase 5. I also do it on the mac with logic and DP.. you go into the control panel of the computer, then hardware and sound, then manage audio devices, then scroll down through playback till you find your computers soundcard/speakers set up. make sure it is set to your computers set up.

then you go to the setup in pro tools and choose from the available options, under audio connections )or something similar, it should show both your m audio and your computers sound cards, Most DAW's allow you to use multiple audio devices. I know that cubase, logic pro,and Digital Performer do.

if you watch the video that I posted it shows you how to select the playback (it calls it an engine) device you want to select. choose the one you want. it will become your playback selection. pretty simple,, just follow what the video does

you do have to make sure that the control panel playback device is also selected in some cases.
Click to expand...

Now see I don't get this ^
I just put up Cubase (Essential 4 but they are all the same in this regard AFAIK?) and yes, I have a choice of ASIO devices, Delta 2496. Komplete Audio 6 and several others but I can only have one of those at a time IF I want to use ASIO drivers and I always do.

Numpty over and out...

Dave.
 
Toasted is somewhat incorrect....

or something...

I'm just thinking happy thoughts....
 
what i'm trying to say is you can have a different input from the playback, he can record in on the m audio and do his playback on his computer sound card.
 
Toastedgoat said:
what i'm trying to say is you can have a different input from the playback, he can record in on the m audio and do his playback on his computer sound card.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why one would want/need to do that. One simple adapter from the interface, would likely be better than using an internal soundcard for sound output right? Or am I just talking out my ass?
 
he has light pipe for input to his speakers, the recording interface does not have light pipe from what OP stated. So he need to set up his DAW to record in from the maudio, and out on his computer sound card.. I was thinking of what I posted.. Maybe the reason I can use a different input from the output, is my recording systems use pcie soundcards.. so I have the computer soundcard, and a pcie soundcard. This may not be an option for usb or firewire only IA's.. I'm not sure about those set ups.. I do know if you have two soundcards you can set one for record, and one for playback.

found this on the first google try
windows xp - Two soundcards: How do route the input from one so it plays on the other soundcard's output? - Super User
 
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