Traction - complete beginner on forums and in recording

[Schumphie]

My name is Carol and i'm completely new at this! I've never used a forum before and i've never recorded a thing in my life!!! I have a Mackie ProFX 8 and my mic, and my computer are plugged into it... i want to record but don't even know how to get the board and the things plugged into the board to record in Tracktion. Please help if you can! The tutorials I've been watching are wonderful for someone who knows what a Plug In is...

[jabe]

Yikes!

Well, welcome to the Tracktion forum.

It looks like the ProFX8 will let you record a couple of things at once and it'll also receive two channels (perhaps stereo) from your PC.

So; the ProFX8 is connected to your PC via a USB cable, and you've plugged your mic into one of the input channels. If you're recording from a mic, you'll probably want headphones (want to avoid feedback). You'll want to playback via the ProFX8, because using your PCs speakers, if any, probably isn't a good idea. If the ProFX8 is connected to an amplifier and speakers, you'll have a choice of listening via those or via headphones, but the latter may be the better option if you're recording via mic at the same time.

If you have it all connected up and you've started Tracktion running (let us know which version you have - there's a Help button at lower left, and About will show you which version you have), the ProFX8 should show up under Audio Devices on the Settings tab. Let us know if it is, and we can go from there. I'm online for the next few hours.

There are two categories of plug-in. One is some sort of effect (sometimes called a VST effect) and acts on audio; it might be a reverb or some sort of distortion or pitch changer, wah-wah, compressor, etc, etc; the other type is an instrument (sometimes a VSTi). These instruments are driven by MIDI data and they produce audio. There is a huge range of plug-in instruments - synths, samplers, drum machines, emulations of real instruments, etc. There are many free plug-ins out there, many as good as commercial ones. MIDI is another story.

There'll be someone else along any moment with further advice and to contradict me...

[Peter Widdicombe]

Brave new world - with a short/steep learning curve; but it's all worth it !

First off, what real-world "stuff" do you have (in addition to your microphone), or have use of? I assume you have computer, FX8 mixer, and a microphone, and hopefully a decent set of headphones. If you have piano (non-electronic) or guitar pure accoustic with no pickups, then you can "learn" the audio side of recording first. If you have electric guitar, it gets treated as an audio device, made easier (somewhat) because you have a mixer.

If you have electronic keyboards, then you have access to another chain of things to learn - MIDI. Most electronic keyboards tend to have both MIDI and audio outputs, so INITIALLY you could use keyboard as an audio device (while learning to record); but later open a wealth of new features by learning to use MIDI to record NOTE EVENTS in to traction, edit them, and play them back with virtual instruments (or send the note events back to your keyboard, if it has sounds you love).

I have used the PRO-FX12, and liked the way it worked; although sometimes the USB interface would flake out on me. It DOES have a button on it to control whether the audio coming IN it's interface is bounced BACK OUT into the computer again - important to understand when you are trying to record one track at a time.

Note that Tracktion can record from multiple sources at the same time, but the PRO-FX8 and 12 are only STEREO via the USB, so you can't independently record voice, guitar, and piano at one time to separate tracks - you have to do them one at a time (or 2 mono tracks, if you're clever about bouncing microphone left and mono guitar or piano right, and treating the mixer as 2 mono signals).

Oh, and when you connect/power up the mixer, it probably shows up on the computer and in Tracktion as "USB Audio Device". Make sure you see it in the Tracktion "settings/audio device" list, that it's enabled for both input and output, and probably set to default. Select this as your input device when you record; and whatever input devices in the mixer are making sound CAN be recorded in Tracktion. Remember to select that USB audio as input device on the track (the right arrow left of the track), and that the tip of the arrow is "armed" (RED). Oh, and WHEN you select the audio input, look at the bottom box, and the top of the box will have an option for "live input monitoring". You probably want to enable that, so you can see audio input levels at the bottom. While recording, you probably want the peak level seen to be about -12 to -6. If it reaches 0, you start getting distortion.

For starters, assuming you have an instrument plus voice, try recording the instrument first on one track. Then, select a second track, set up the microphone, and record voice while listening to the recorded instrument. If you use headphones, probably the vocal track is PURELY vocals. If you used speakers, your vocal track is probably voice + the music track in the background. You listen only to that track by either SOLOING the voice track in Tracktion, or MUTING the first instrument.

This exercise can then be expanded upon, but will have sort of let you through an understanding of the AUDIO side of Tracktion. Let us know how it turns out, what you do and don't get working, and fill us in on what ELSE you might want to do (and what else you have as input devices (instruments)).

PS - virtual instruments (VST's) can do much more than "be" instruments - they can be EQ's, reverb, and other things. You can also "write" using a mouse for inputting notes and playing through a "virtual instrument" like piano or strings. However, until you feel comfortable with the audio side, you can leave that until later.

[jabe]

PS - virtual instruments (VST's) can do much more than "be" instruments - they can be EQ's, reverb, and other things.

I don't know how others look at it, but VST (Virtual Studio Technology) effects appeared way before VST instruments (which I differentiate from a VST effect as a VSTi). Plug-ins can be effects or instruments, but I wouldn't say an instrument could be an effect.

[eagle-patriot]

Okay, I'll take the bait because I wish someone would have explained some of this to me when I was just taking an interest in recording.

It can be hard to know where to turn as a complete beginner, but my suggestion would be to try to understand a broad overview of the audio production process first and then master the little bits of it that seem to matter the most to your particular circumstances first in order to get the creative juices flowing. It's important to understand that many people spend years of their life in an organized educational setting to acquire professional audio production skills, so keep in mind PW's "steep learning curve" as mentioned above. With a little patience and persistence though, whether through formal training or combing the internet for insight, you can learn what you need to accomplish your goals in the wonderful world of audio production. You don't have to be a total genius to get interesting and worthwhile results, but possessing a geek's curiosity and willingness to tinker helps. Remember, back in the early days of recording audio engineers were literally engineers complete with lab coats and years of applied science training to back them up. You will quickly realize that a simple question can land you in deep over your head in no time. That's the fun of it though.

Seeing as you've picked up a mixing board, I'd say it's safe to say you're interested in multi-track recording techniques. My multi-track production cycle has always been basic tracks -> overdubs -> mixdown -> mastering -> distribution. Keeping in mind many people have many approaches to recording, familiarity with the above cycle will help you orient yourself to the demands of the particular process. Here's a simplified overview of the cycle (Note: a MIDI instrument can be substituted for a microphone source anywhere a microphone is referred to below. Refer to PW's comment above for more information on different sources.):

Basic Tracks: Several tracks are recorded at once to capture the foundation of the performance. Usually this would consist of the rhythm section of drums and bass, but could include as many performers as you can accommodate in your studio. Your efforts at this point are focused on getting good sounds from any microphones you will be using and coaxing a good performance out the musicians on to your DAW.

Overdubs: Typically one (or more) musician at a time is recorded while playing along with the basic tracks. Headphones are usually used at this point to avoid feedback and sound bleeding onto the new tracks, and the previous focus on microphone placement and solid performance still apply.

Mixdown: Once you have finished recording all of your tracks, it's time to process them and blend them together into your final stereo mix. Though some signal processing may have worked it's way into the previous steps (especially perhaps EQ and compression), mixdown is where signal processing becomes indispensable. You will spend a lot of time learning the tools to create a good mix. Your ears are important to all of the audio production process, but mixing is absolutely all about your ears. You will listen to your mix on several sets of speakers and headphones before you call it good.

Mastering: Many amateurs skip this step, and it's understandable given a small scale distribution. It's not so easy to pick up the skills required to properly master your recordings for mass distribution, but if you're thinking about spending potentially thousands of dollars on manufacturing vinyl or CD's, it will be imperative to ensure your final master is within spec and sounding the best it can. This is where expensive compression and EQ's get a work-out. Many producers and engineers pass this work on to a mastering professional who excels in this specialized field.

Distribution: This is how your recording gets into the ears of the public. You can post your mixes on soundcloud or band camp, burn your own CDs and sell/give them away however you see fit, or go big and make a production run on vinyl or CD. At this point, you're solidly into the business of music and outside of production. It's important to keep in mind what sort of distribution channels you will be using though so as to choose the appropriate tools along the way.

Now for a bit on your equipment. Assuming you have all the cables necessary, it might be worth trying to get your microphone plugged in to your mixer and a signal routed to your headphones just to be sure all of the analog gear is working properly. Try to understand how the signal travels along the signal path from your microphone into and through your mixer. The mixer is a powerful tool for routing and mixing audio signals. Read the manual closely and try to predict what will happen to the signal as you push each button, twist each knob, and pull each fader along the signal path. Try to route the main outs to another amplifier and set of speakers you might have access to. Signal flow really is the foundational subject that anyone needs to master before they can get very far into audio production. If you find yourself just guessing and hoping the sound will come out as you tweak various knobs and faders, you don't really understand signal flow. Learn to route your signal with confidence, and audio will become fun. Once you've done that, you can focus on interfacing with Tracktion which is where digital audio signal is manipulated according to a very different set of rules than analog audio signal.

Hope that helps,
Pat

[metrognome]

Youtube is your friend also besides us here on this board who are more than willing to help out for specifics.

For some, visual tutorials help a lot. --->

There's this too, from our very own gigizaga ---> https://leanpub.com/guide_to_tracktion_t7

[Schumphie]

Ok... I've been able to figure out a few things from the information you gave me. what I'm trying to do as a start is to record myself singing to some tracks. I've been singing here and overseas for about 14 years and don't even have a half decent demo!!

So I want to start by singing with tracks and then eventually, I want to record different instruments. I have an electric piano, and I play sax as well. I can probably run these things through my pro fx board. I'll get to all that stuff later on.

So far, i was able to record both the track and the voice at the same time... So sort of a live recording which is fine for now. You said I should use headphones. I have earphones and am trying to use them but everything is coming out of the sound system. When I press the test button, I hear the tone through the earphones, but when i sing into the mic or play/record the voice and the tracks, it plays through the sound system. How do I get the sound to come out of the headphones??

Sorry, I wish I was more computer/tech savvy...

Thanks so much!!
Carol

Brave new world - with a short/steep learning curve; but it's all worth it !

First off, what real-world "stuff" do you have (in addition to your microphone), or have use of? I assume you have computer, FX8 mixer, and a microphone, and hopefully a decent set of headphones. If you have piano (non-electronic) or guitar pure accoustic with no pickups, then you can "learn" the audio side of recording first. If you have electric guitar, it gets treated as an audio device, made easier (somewhat) because you have a mixer.

If you have electronic keyboards, then you have access to another chain of things to learn - MIDI. Most electronic keyboards tend to have both MIDI and audio outputs, so INITIALLY you could use keyboard as an audio device (while learning to record); but later open a wealth of new features by learning to use MIDI to record NOTE EVENTS in to traction, edit them, and play them back with virtual instruments (or send the note events back to your keyboard, if it has sounds you love).

I have used the PRO-FX12, and liked the way it worked; although sometimes the USB interface would flake out on me. It DOES have a button on it to control whether the audio coming IN it's interface is bounced BACK OUT into the computer again - important to understand when you are trying to record one track at a time.

Note that Tracktion can record from multiple sources at the same time, but the PRO-FX8 and 12 are only STEREO via the USB, so you can't independently record voice, guitar, and piano at one time to separate tracks - you have to do them one at a time (or 2 mono tracks, if you're clever about bouncing microphone left and mono guitar or piano right, and treating the mixer as 2 mono signals).

Oh, and when you connect/power up the mixer, it probably shows up on the computer and in Tracktion as "USB Audio Device". Make sure you see it in the Tracktion "settings/audio device" list, that it's enabled for both input and output, and probably set to default. Select this as your input device when you record; and whatever input devices in the mixer are making sound CAN be recorded in Tracktion. Remember to select that USB audio as input device on the track (the right arrow left of the track), and that the tip of the arrow is "armed" (RED). Oh, and WHEN you select the audio input, look at the bottom box, and the top of the box will have an option for "live input monitoring". You probably want to enable that, so you can see audio input levels at the bottom. While recording, you probably want the peak level seen to be about -12 to -6. If it reaches 0, you start getting distortion.

For starters, assuming you have an instrument plus voice, try recording the instrument first on one track. Then, select a second track, set up the microphone, and record voice while listening to the recorded instrument. If you use headphones, probably the vocal track is PURELY vocals. If you used speakers, your vocal track is probably voice + the music track in the background. You listen only to that track by either SOLOING the voice track in Tracktion, or MUTING the first instrument.

This exercise can then be expanded upon, but will have sort of let you through an understanding of the AUDIO side of Tracktion. Let us know how it turns out, what you do and don't get working, and fill us in on what ELSE you might want to do (and what else you have as input devices (instruments)).

PS - virtual instruments (VST's) can do much more than "be" instruments - they can be EQ's, reverb, and other things. You can also "write" using a mouse for inputting notes and playing through a "virtual instrument" like piano or strings. However, until you feel comfortable with the audio side, you can leave that until later.

[jabe]

When you say the sound is coming out of the sound system, is that from your PC or from something connected to the ProFX8? The answer may be to look at Audio Devices on the Settings tab and set the Output to be your ProFX8. Then plug your earphones into that as well. There should be an option on the ProFX8 so you can choose between earphones/headphones and speakers/amp+speakers. It sounds like Peter has more experience than me with devices like yours.

Your sax will need recording via the mic, but the electric piano will go directly into the ProFX8, so if you have speakers attached to it, you won't need to use earphones. If the electric piano has MIDI output as well as audio, that'll be helpful later.

[Peter Widdicombe]

Electric piano - were you recording audio (presumably?), or MIDI? Does your piano have a MIDI output? I would guess you recorded audio output of the keyboard, into a stereo channel or used 2 mono channels on the mixer (or just recorded keyboard in mono?). I suppose you could have also recorded the keyboard playing through the microphone; but that's not going to be the best sound quality.

Another thing I didn't ask - is the microphone just a standard XLR-type connection that you plug into the mixer channnel 1 thru 4, or is it a USB microphone? Have you been recording via the USB connection of the mixer; and when you play back from Tracktion, does it play back through the mixer and it's amp/speakers, or via the PC speakers?

On the ProFX8, you probably want the USB Thru switch to be disabled (not pressed in), so that what comes from the computer during playback does NOT come back into the computer when you record - only new stuff (like microphones and other new audio inputs). Oh, and the EQ and effects on the FX8 don't get sent to the USB output (or they didn't in the older models of the ProFX12), so the reverb in the mixer isn't reflected in Tracktion; so don't spend much time on them while recording. Add reverb within Tracktion.

BTW - MIDI won't go into your mixer. You'd have to have either a MIDI interface for the computer, or the piano would have a USB/MIDI output that would go directly to the computer.

When you recorded voice plus piano, did you do them separately, or did it all come into just a single track? If you do them separately, then you can alter the volume of voice/piano independently; plus add reverb to voice and not the piano.

When you add sax, you WILL want to figure out how to listen via headphones while recording the sax, or again you will have piano (and possibly voice, depending on the order of your recording) "bleeding" into the sax track. Where do you have headphones connected - into the computer or the mixer?

[tovokas]

Welcome! I remember clearly how intimidating the process seemed when I first started long ago. As mentioned, YouTube is your friend, but also finding a local mentor that is into home recording can be enormously helpful. They don't need to be using the same equipment, or even the same DAW as you, as pretty much all of the concepts you will learn will apply to your equipment and Tracktion. As a singer I'm sure you've come into contact with many other musicians, or even have good friends who are into recording: don't be shy to ask around to find someone you can just hang out with and watch record. I can't think of a better way to learn.