Connecting and recording Korg Volca Beats

[Mushy Mushy]

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?

To be honest I didn't even really consider phasing issues.

The cable you require is unbalanced, and yes you could (and probably should) just plug in the left or right input. That is as long as you've changed the track to mono in your DAW.

I really do think you're overthinking and overcomplicating this man.

Unbalanced 3.5mm stereo -> unbalanced 6.35mm dual mono -> audio interface (left or right) -> record -> enjoy -> profit

[alexejm]

Got it! Will have some fun

Thank you all.

[mztk]

erm...does unbalanced stereo (behaving as 2x mono?) give the opportunity
for balanced mono on a stereo minijack? (answers on a postcard)

does it help if it's half normalled on a patchbay?

[alexejm]

Got the Volca today and patched it up and it makes a sound
It's a bit quiet though, so I had to bump the gain on the line input of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4. I increased it and then it overdrived, blinking red (the Scarlett). So I backed down with the gain and am now satisfied.

One question that bugs me now is: if you can "gain" the line level, will it eventually get damaged if clipped too high/often?

[thecontrolcentre]

Try not to clip the input on the Scarlett ... best thing is to turn the Volca up to max and then set the gain on the Scarlett so it's loud enough but doesn't clip.

This might help : http://www.basic-home-recording-studio. ... aging.html

[alexejm]

I get that. But when connecting new devices/synths/drum machines I don't always know what the loudest peaks will be, so I have to play around with the gain while it's playing and settling on what I like to use for levels (-20dbFS RMS/-12 dbFS peak). However, at some point during this setup of newly connected devices, it might clip. Not to mention the guitar.

While I will be gentle on the gain, does it damage the preamps? Is the "damage" thing different for mic/line/inst selections?

[thecontrolcentre]

As long as you're not continuously clipping the input you have nothing to worry about.

[deastman]

You won't break anything if the clip light turns on. Just don't continually overdrive your inputs for fun.

Setting appropriate levels is a basic part of the recording process. This is why your interface has meters and clip indicators to begin with. As was previously said, start by turning up your instrument (Volca) level to max, start it playing, then slowly turn up the interface gain until you are satisfied with the level.