Help for DAW imbecile

addedc

addedc

Experienced
Merry Chrismas and happy holidays. I want to try recording with a new DAW program and a drum machine, but realize that my computer does not have an audio iinput. Is there a way to use the audio interface on an AXE II to put the drum into my computer through USB? (or do I just need to get a USB adapter).
 
Thanks Terry,

I was also wondering which input but see the Midi in works. Appreciate your response.
 
Sorry to be such an idiot, but I have spent about 5 hours trying to record a simple drum and guitar track and can't make it work. I hope someone can quickly discern where I am going wrong. I am using a SR18 drum machine, an AXE-FX II, Presonus Studio 3, a poorly selected powerful Dell laptop that has combined mic and audio out jack and also a Focusrite USB interface. The sample rate on the Focusrite is 48.1 on the Axe it's 44.1. I can record the Axe fine without the Focusrite interface. For the drum, I need to use the Focusrite to get anything down. It works when I put the drum down first. But then when I switch to the AXE (w/o Focusrite), the drum track is greyed out and silent. If anyone has any suggestions on a better way to connect this, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
 
Windows will not allow you to use more than one audio device at a time. You won't be able to use both the Axe II and Focusrite at the same time unless you use something like ASIO4ALL drivers to merge the inputs and outputs from different audio devices. ASIO4ALL works well but does add a little extra latency. Monitoring directly from the Axe II or via hardware input monitoring on another interface will give you the lowest latency while playing. Which Focusrite interface do you have? Also, which interface are you using for monitoring, the Axe II, the Focusright, or the laptop's onboard audio?
 
Thanks Mr. Fender (I like Fender, too. My strat is my favorite guitar)

I am using the Scarlett solo. The Axe has a lot of latency through it, but I am hoping I can adjust that once I get things working. I can monitor through the laptop, through the headphone jack to a two channel Mackie mixer to Adams A3s , or through the headphone jack on the Focusrite. I previously tried plugging the drum machine into my mixer, but I didn't get any audio going into the computer with that (probably because the jack is both headphone out and mic in).
 
For lowest latency, you will want to turn direct monitoring on for of the Focusrite on it's front panel so you can monitor its inputs directly with no added latency. Also, make sure software monitoring for the active track is turned off in your DAW when recording otherwise you'll hear both the direct and software monitoring signals and latency between them will cause weird phasing and echos. Connect the rear outputs of the Focusrite to your mixer and monitors. To record stereo from your drum machine, you'll need a 1/4" hi-z to XLR low-z adapter to use both Focusrite inputs at once.

You can also use the Axe II as a stereo interface for the drum machine as well. Connect your drum machine outputs to the Axe's rear input 1 left and right, set your input levels in the I/O menu to avoid clipping, and record USB inputs 3 and 4 to capture the direct signal from the drum machine. You can also use blocks on the grid to process the drum machine output if you want and then record USB inputs 1 and 2 instead.
 
Thanks. That info is like a second Christmas present. I will try it tonight.

I am not much on technical stuff, but if you ever need local tips or possible inside deals on a trip to Hawaii, let me know. I owe you one.
 
Solved. Possbily for someone's future reference. Using a computer, mixer and DAW to record is about as frustrating as trying to update software on an old Ultra through Midi. I was able to record a drum track in Studio One 3 and get play back. Major achievement. Then I re-opened the file anew, the track was greyed out and I could not get audio. Now when I am trying to open a new song and lay down the drum track again, I can hear the drum machine through my monitor but there is no signal going into the DAW. My connections are 1) Focusrite USB to computer, Focusrite RCA to Tape Input on my Mackie mixer, 2) SR18 drum machine R output to mic in on Focusrite with XLR cable, 3) AXE II out 1 to guitar in on Focusrite, 3) I am unsure whether or not I need to have the audio jack on my Dell laptop connected to mixer.

While typing above, it occurred to me I might have an incorrect USB setting. Although my audio was set to Focusrite driver, one of those little hidden icons on the bottom right tool bar need to be clicked. When I did that I saw the wrong audio device was selected. Changing to Focusrite solved it.
 
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