KVR Audio

Mushy Mushy · Post by **Mushy Mushy** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 4:10 pm

alexejm wrote:Is this the right cable for the Volca? http://www.thomann.de/gb/cordial_cfy_6_wpp.htm

Yep, that's him

alexejm · Post by **alexejm** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 5:17 pm

Got it! Now recording into 2 inputs, I would make a stereo track for that. Is this still 100% "mono"?

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 6:58 pm

alexejm wrote:Is this the right cable for the Volca? http://www.thomann.de/gb/cordial_cfy_6_wpp.htm

Yes ... if the Volca has a stereo mini-jack output, and the interface has 2 1/4" mono inputs.

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:00 pm

alexejm wrote:Got it! Now recording into 2 inputs, I would make a stereo track for that. Is this still 100% "mono"?

No, it's stereo.

alexejm · Post by **alexejm** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:17 pm

Sorry, I meant to say that even though it's technically stereo, theres still the same material on the left side as on the right because the Volca Beats is mono (with a stereo headphone output). I hope that's right, I don't want stereo kick drums...

What interface can you recommend (to get the 2 line inputs + additionally MIDI)? I was looking at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and the Steinberg UR22. They should be on the same level audio quality wise I think. While the Steinberg is less expensive, it provides Cubase in the package which I don't care much for. The Scarlett 2i4 has a plugin suite that looks nice but I am not sure if it's any good.

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:34 pm

I have the NI AK1 interface ... it's been totally reliable (and sounds good), so would suggest the NI Komplete Audio 6. It's currently on sale too ... http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... e-audio-6/

Another option could be a ZED series mixer from Allen & Heath. They have a built-in USB audio interface (16 bit only). Nice mixers tho'. Could be useful if you're getting more hardware ...
http://www.allen-heath.com/series/zed/

alexejm · Post by **alexejm** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:11 pm

Is there a decent interface on a budget like the Scarlett 2i4 that will provide more inputs for additional analog integration?

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:42 pm

Basically you want a y cable to split the dual mono into two single mono channels. Then you can just plug one or the other into your audio interface and record it to a mono track in your DAW.

I have a Volca Beats, and I have to say that it really doesn't sound all that great. It can be kind of fun to mess around with, but there are loads of better drum machines out there.

alexejm · Post by **alexejm** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 12:53 am

Don't I have to plug both cables into 2 line inputs on my interface and make a stereo track for it? I imagine that I loose gain if it's patched as you suggested (and I also read that people were having low volume issues with Volca Beats in general).

Are there 3.5mm stereo to 1x 6.3mm mono cables?

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 1:50 am

alexejm wrote:Don't I have to plug both cables into 2 line inputs on my interface and make a stereo track for it? I imagine that I loose gain if it's patched as you suggested (and I also read that people were having low volume issues with Volca Beats in general).

Are there 3.5mm stereo to 1x 6.3mm mono cables?

I haven't tried recording mine, so I can't comment on volume levels yet. Recording two channels of exactly the same thing is pointless and could potentially lead to phase issues. Just record one side, adjusting your interface input gain as needed. Its really just a mono signal anyway, so record one side into a mono track and keep it panned to the center. The Y cable should be a 1/8" TRS (stereo) on one end, and two 1/4" mono on the other end.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 1:54 am

Also, regarding low audio levels, recording two identical mono signals into two different channels of your DAW (left and right of a stereo track) will not make either of them any louder. They will each be equally loud, or quiet, or whatever, the same as if you had only recorded one side into a mono channel. The only difference is that you may end up with phasing issues if you record in stereo.

alexejm · Post by **alexejm** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:12 am

OK, I will try using the Y-cable I mentioned above and only plug into one input. I find the Volca strangely designed in that matter...leaving a cable unplugged

Mushy Mushy · Post by **Mushy Mushy** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:14 am

alexejm wrote:OK, I will try using the Y-cable I mentioned above and only plug into one input. I find the Volca strangely designed in that matter...leaving a cable unplugged

That's the only real way to use the same jack for both headphones and master out.
It's a cost saving thing, which is absolutely expected at the price point.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:20 am

To be honest, I didn't know about the dual mono configuration myself. I haven't bothered recording anything with my Volcas, and usually just use them to play around a little when I don't feel like doing anything too serious. But yes, you couldn't do it any other way if you wanted to be able to plug headphones in and hear the sound coming out in both ears.

alexejm · Post by **alexejm** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:33 am

When you recommended me the cable Mushy Mushy, did you also mean to just plug one end of it into the interface's input to avoid phasing? I am reading up on cables as much as I can (TR, TRS, balanced, unbalanced...) but still find it hard to decide on my own how to patch a new device up.

One other guy used a cable that sums the 3.5mm stereo into a single 6.3mm mono (as far as I can tell) and says it works. Is this not recommended because of the phasing possibility?

Connecting and recording Korg Volca Beats