D
diller.benjamin
New member
Hello folks! This is my first post here, though I've poked around from time to time. I'll start by explaining what I'm trying to do and why, and then hopefully give pertinent details.
Ok, first things first - I have a simple set-up, and I both play and record. I'm trying to learn mixing concepts, and a lot of that comes down to bringing good tone INTO the recording in the first place, instead of trying to polish trash within the recording software. As a consequence, I've learned that what sounds great coming out of my guitar amp is not always appropriate for a full mix of instruments.
Being a solo outfit, it can be time-consuming to fiddle with the amp/guitar tone, play/record, listen to it in the mix, and rinse and repeat. Probably once a guy has some experience with it he might cut out a LOT of this time, but for me I'm starting from square one and it's a lot of trial and error.
But then a lightbulb went off. I know that my audio interface/preamp has multiple outputs, and I've often though of using those to run an FX loop on a track I've already recorded - get some good EHX reverb on a track that I recorded dry, for example.
So, I was thinking, why not just record my guitar directly into the audio interface and tracking software first (NOT guitar -> amp -> mic -> interface). Then I can loop the riff to play as much as I like, and run the audio coming out of my computer into the amp, giving me effortless tone fiddling. If I find something I think sounds alright, I can then record the mic'ed amp, being fed by one track, into a totally separate track within the recording software.
It seems really simple; just a question of routing audio, and where is it going first. It should allow me to drastically cut the time I spend just playing with tone and mic placement, since I only have to play the guitar once initially, until I get the sound I want.
Oh boy, this is getting long already. At any rate, I'm having a problem with what I thought was my golden idea. Before I continue, here's the interface I'm using:
Product:
http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/index.html
Manual [.pdf]:
http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/pdf/Onyx_Satellite_OM.pdf
I'm using it in the full base station mode (not the separate pod) and it's connected to my desktop computer via Firewire. I'm running Cubase SX (dated, I know) for my tracking software. I have enough experience with the set-up so far to know that the general hook-up should be sound - I know I'm not exactly using a pristine rig, but I can get surprisingly clean sounds when I mic an amp and record. Sorry if I've left something important out as far as equipment info is concerned.
So on to the issue - when I run audio out of ANY of the outputs on the Mackie Satellite (including the two headphones outs with gain knobs), the gain level seems way too high. I get a loud humming in my amp (I'm running straight from the output on the Satellite to the input on the amp, using instrument cable, just to be clear) and the guitar signal itself seems extra "hot" - tubes break up very quickly, even at relatively low settings.
I do also wonder if it isn't electrical interference, and not simply too much gain as I initially thought. The "noise" it produces (even when the track is not playing) is substantially less when the computer is off, with everything remaining plugged in. Obviously, when I disconnect the Firewire between interface and PC, or the power cable between PC and wall, the noise stops altogether. Likewise when I unplug the 1/4" from the interface and plug it into my guitar, the amp behaves as normal (quietly that is, ha).
Am I just plain doin' it wrong? Is this method an ill-advised pipedream? Are some of you laughing at my shameful ignorance? hahah... I checked the Satellite manual, and it describes the outputs as being "line level" which ought to be fine for my amp, I thought - that's what a guitar is, after all - isn't it? Or am I wrong there?
Also, just to be clear - I know my way around this stuff enough that nothing is clipping and in the red; indeed the hum persists regardless of whether the track itself is playing or not. If that cable's plugged in, it's humming.
Sorry so long everyone, I've just read enough forums to know that I want to be clear and anticipate questions if I can. But with that said, I've probably left some out - fire away on the questions and advice!
Thanks,
Ben
Ok, first things first - I have a simple set-up, and I both play and record. I'm trying to learn mixing concepts, and a lot of that comes down to bringing good tone INTO the recording in the first place, instead of trying to polish trash within the recording software. As a consequence, I've learned that what sounds great coming out of my guitar amp is not always appropriate for a full mix of instruments.
Being a solo outfit, it can be time-consuming to fiddle with the amp/guitar tone, play/record, listen to it in the mix, and rinse and repeat. Probably once a guy has some experience with it he might cut out a LOT of this time, but for me I'm starting from square one and it's a lot of trial and error.
But then a lightbulb went off. I know that my audio interface/preamp has multiple outputs, and I've often though of using those to run an FX loop on a track I've already recorded - get some good EHX reverb on a track that I recorded dry, for example.
So, I was thinking, why not just record my guitar directly into the audio interface and tracking software first (NOT guitar -> amp -> mic -> interface). Then I can loop the riff to play as much as I like, and run the audio coming out of my computer into the amp, giving me effortless tone fiddling. If I find something I think sounds alright, I can then record the mic'ed amp, being fed by one track, into a totally separate track within the recording software.
It seems really simple; just a question of routing audio, and where is it going first. It should allow me to drastically cut the time I spend just playing with tone and mic placement, since I only have to play the guitar once initially, until I get the sound I want.
Oh boy, this is getting long already. At any rate, I'm having a problem with what I thought was my golden idea. Before I continue, here's the interface I'm using:
Product:
http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/index.html
Manual [.pdf]:
http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/pdf/Onyx_Satellite_OM.pdf
I'm using it in the full base station mode (not the separate pod) and it's connected to my desktop computer via Firewire. I'm running Cubase SX (dated, I know) for my tracking software. I have enough experience with the set-up so far to know that the general hook-up should be sound - I know I'm not exactly using a pristine rig, but I can get surprisingly clean sounds when I mic an amp and record. Sorry if I've left something important out as far as equipment info is concerned.
So on to the issue - when I run audio out of ANY of the outputs on the Mackie Satellite (including the two headphones outs with gain knobs), the gain level seems way too high. I get a loud humming in my amp (I'm running straight from the output on the Satellite to the input on the amp, using instrument cable, just to be clear) and the guitar signal itself seems extra "hot" - tubes break up very quickly, even at relatively low settings.
I do also wonder if it isn't electrical interference, and not simply too much gain as I initially thought. The "noise" it produces (even when the track is not playing) is substantially less when the computer is off, with everything remaining plugged in. Obviously, when I disconnect the Firewire between interface and PC, or the power cable between PC and wall, the noise stops altogether. Likewise when I unplug the 1/4" from the interface and plug it into my guitar, the amp behaves as normal (quietly that is, ha).
Am I just plain doin' it wrong? Is this method an ill-advised pipedream? Are some of you laughing at my shameful ignorance? hahah... I checked the Satellite manual, and it describes the outputs as being "line level" which ought to be fine for my amp, I thought - that's what a guitar is, after all - isn't it? Or am I wrong there?
Also, just to be clear - I know my way around this stuff enough that nothing is clipping and in the red; indeed the hum persists regardless of whether the track itself is playing or not. If that cable's plugged in, it's humming.
Sorry so long everyone, I've just read enough forums to know that I want to be clear and anticipate questions if I can. But with that said, I've probably left some out - fire away on the questions and advice!
Thanks,
Ben
