Dubstepforum.com

removed

You will need a decent audio interface/soundcard, the hum could be from a dodgy soundcard built in

I just bought the focusrite saffire LE here

http://www.dv247.com/invt/33410/

(Fucking good deal too if youve seen the price of that anywhere else)

with this you will be able to get sound out of your computer (you will need firewire) to your "pa" using mono jacks (guitar cable you talked of)

You will also have 2 xlr inputs (microphone) and 2 jack inputs

or.. 4 jack inputs.

I kinda skimmed your post so If I've left anything out let mw know

All of your problems will be solved by a proper soundcard.

1) Ground loops are usually only common on onboard soundcards.

2) Soundcard will have a proper input.

3) It will do both!

Check this thread for proper soundcard gear.
http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 644#894644

Google them for a local dealer!

4) The glitch is because of latency. All modern soundcards are Asio and will make this almost a non issue (unless you really start to load a lot of plug ins!) For now you can also try Asio4all to increase performance.

http://www.asio4all.com/

I am really willing to learn and pay for any program, i just need it to multi-track record, and be able to load VST's and generators. What am i going to need to set this up?

You're already half way there with that attitude! Sound card is also important, and don't forget to invest in proper monitor speakers!

When it comes to the actual production. Don't forget to check the production bible on this forum and oh yeah... Have fun!

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/a ... lems.htm#3

Good info on ground loop and general intereferance problems!

if you want to use the XLR inputs on your PA, you should get a DI box or 2-- you'll have level and impedance mismatches otherwise that will lead to really terrible distortion. they're cheap, about $30 each.

Look at mackie tracktor, as well, for super-cheap recording software.

can also try Asio4all to increase performance.

http://www.asio4all.com/

yeah, i tried downloading and installing asio.
and after this is when my built in mic stopped working.

I just bought the focusrite saffire LE here

http://www.dv247.com/invt/33410/

yeah, that looks alot like what i am looking for,
what are the bottom two jacks with the bigger ones with the 3 pins called?
i have seen those used alot in recording, are they better quality?
my only other question is regarding "firewire" i have looked, but i don't think i have a firewire port on my laptop? what do i need to get firewire working?

if you want to use the XLR inputs on your PA, you should get a DI box or 2-- you'll have level and impedance mismatches otherwise that will lead to really terrible distortion. they're cheap, about $30 each.

Look at mackie tracktor, as well, for super-cheap recording software.

yeah i heard that DI boxes are another way to do this, but it almost sounds liek they are a lower quality system.

BTW man, i am fucking STOKED for your set at shambhala this year!


ill hatch through these a little more, and see what i can find!
thanks ALOT for the help, if i get this all working... hoah boy!

Those 3 pin inputs are called xlr,

your right they are used a helluva lot in recording and most audio applications, in this case it would be suitable for plugging a microphone directly into it (as it has preamps built in), good thing is it has those 2 or you could use the jacks instead,

waiting on mine in the post right now

hurrrryyyyy....

removed

it's a ground loop

removed

removed

Are these people employees for this so called monster?

-Try running all of your setup out of the same power supply

-Use a ground loop isolator

-Use a power conditioner

I think the power conditioner is probably the best route (probably what that monster thing was) It's sposed to distribute power effectively to all your equipment without under/overpowering

dirty power?
basically what a ground loop is when your cables in your setup act like a radio antenna that picks up the electromagnetic radiation coming out of your power supply...
this isnt a problem with your power supply, instead its the cables you are running...

using xlr cables will sort this out... the cable uses two of its 3 pins to carry the signal down (positive and negative) and the other pin carries nothing down it, so any interference to the cable is picked up along this pin... at the other end of the cable the interferance can be worked out and then it can be 'summed' and then the clean signal is retreaved...


one trick that I've seen in a few studios, that is maybe not recommended is to get rid of the ground hum is to remove the earth pin on the mixers' power cord... that said I dont know what kind of plugs you get out in canada... oh well... doing that basically removes the system's reference point for the ground hum so cheats the mixer into being clean... but you do have to pay attention not to get a shock... anyway that is a technique that some people swear by, others are dubious about it...


fire wire on your soundcard will mean that you have a higher quality signal than that of USB, because of firewire's higher data transfer rate. but if you dont have a firewire port on your computer you can use usb or get a PCI adaptor for a firewire port, depending on what your computer's chasis will allow...


hope that helped in someway

safe

whoever is trying to sell you a monster brand power conditioner is trying to upsell you a brand name
the ones made by furman are just as good and cheaper

k a couple of things:

an actual power conditioner should cost you on the order of at least $1k; it regulates the generally-shit quality of residental power into something dependable. a rack-mount distributor will usually give you more controlled power than that of a cheap surge protector, but if inconsistent power is your problem, it's probably not the solution.

try switching outlets/fuses/etc between the computer and the audio setup. Also- are you using a grounded plug w/ your computer? W/ mac products, you can either use the grounded extension plug, or the ungrounded one right from the power supply. when you can-- go grounded!

USB 2.0 actually has a higher throughput than Firewire, but for some reason, FW still seems to outperform as far as audio is concerned. USB 3.0 will kill FW tho.

I personally aren't gonna be up at Shambhala, but Dhruva and Haj will be there with Juakali- should be insane! I'll be down in San Diego with CRMNL and the Refuge crew-- West coast action regardless! Finally, a decent burrito .