Multitrack recording - missing MME devices

Music Creator is limited to 2 mono or 1 stereo input.  you have to upgrade to X2 Essentials for more inputs.

MC doesn't record the outputs.  it records inputs.  if he wants to select inputs other than those listed he can choose, in MC, any 2 mono or any 1 stereo inputs, but cannot choose more than that at the same time.

I don't understand what you mean about MC capable of recording the firefly's outputs.

"Although it only outputs two channels at a time, the 302 can simultaneously record up to five channels when its three analogue inputs are used alongside the stereo S/PDIF input." 


this does not apply in MC.  MC can only record 2 mono or 1 stereo input at a time.

while I agree that ASIO is the best driver to use, I don't even know if his soundcard HAS ASIO drivers

and even if it does, that doesn't solve the problem he has.  ASIO drivers will not allow him to record more than 2 inputs at the same time in MC.

According to the web site for the interface it does support ASIO


Firefly 302 USB
Portable USB Audio Interface
5 x 6 24-bit/192kHz USB stream I/O
2 x 2 analog operation (RCA)
Front-panel microphone input (XLR) with +48V phantom power
Two 1/4" TRS and two RCA input connections
Headphone output with dedicated level control
Low-latency ASIO software direct monitoring
Power indicator LED
Powered via included DC power adaptor
Easy-to-see sig and clip LED indicators for input and output
Compatible with Intel-based Macs
Compatible with Windows XP, Vista & 7
Steinberg's Cubase LE 5 digital audio workstation software included

Thanks for the responses.

What I want to do is record 2 inputs at the same time - I have tried using ASIO drivers and I don't get any further forward. It is however encouraging to hear that it should be possible.

What I don't understand is that although the prefs dialog sees more than one Firefly input, when I try to assign an input device to a track, the pop up of MME devices never shows more than Left, Right and Stereo for the Firefly input device currently selected in prefs.

Shouldn't the MME devices popup list Left, Right and Stereo for all of the Firefly inputs?

Brandon de Ashe:
MC is not specifically mentioned, but you would qualify as a Registered Cakewalk Customer for upgrade pricing.

buitenlander:
The prefs dialog acts as a sort of filter.
While you may see all of your inputs here, only the selected choices are available to the track inputs.
To make a different input available to a track, you would need to change your selection in the prefs list.
I'll try to look at the firefly manual, if it's available for download to a non-customer, and see if we can get you going with ASIO.

When I want to record 2 tracks at the same time here's what I do.

My interface is a Saffire.

So on track 1 I select saffire Left for input to the track
And on track 2 I select saffire Right for input to the track

This allows me to record 2 different mics ...each into it's own unique track in MC. 

Your interface should show up in the audio options available for input. there should be a STEREO option for ONE TRACK as well as Mono Left and Mono Right options. 

When recording one track I always select the mono Left option. That gives me one mic into one track. The system acts like it is totally mono which is fine for mono instruments. 

I rarely use STEREO input for anything. 


I don't see a need or reason to upgrade to X1 from MC unless you need the functionality of having more tracks available to record simultaneously BUT.... you will also need a different interface which can handle more than 2 tracks to accomplish that goal. 



It's not that MME is so hated. It actually is a good driver when it's used for what it's intended to do which is drive a stock soundcard playing MP3's and waves in a computer as a sound card when you play games and watch videos..... It falls woefully short when we ask it to handle the massive data we necessarily run through our systems when we record...and when you throw in the softsynths that must be processed in real time.... it's kinda like trying to run the Indy 500 with a dune buggy..... it will get you around the track but not as fast as it needs to. It'll be the last one across the line every time.  MME can not do the job properly. ASIO, on the other hand IS specifically designed to handle audio properly and it lets you run with the big dogs. 

In my never ending quest to learn more..... just the other day...It dawned on me that I actually have 2 decent condenser mics.

Up to this point, I have been using just one to record my acoustic guitar. So I dug into my box of cords and found another XLR cable. 

I connected both mics to the Saffire..... one to the Right input and the other to the Left input.  Turned ont he phantom power and opened a new project. 

I inserted 2 audio tracks. Track one was set to Saffire Mono Left and track 2 was set to Saffire Mono Right. 
Tapping the wind screen of each mic indicated it to be sending to the correct channel. 

There will be more info forth coming on if and how this experiment turned out sonically. But the point is..... that is how you record 2 things at the same time into 2 different tracks. 

buitenlander


I solved my problem by getting getting a new box, the Alesis multimix 4 USB.

I still only have one device available but on the mixer I can pan the two mics left and right and then pick them up as separate tracks in MC.
I feel slightly ripped off because it seems the software can obviously do what I want but someone has decided to disable it for some reason. But on the whole I'm still pleased with it and impressed with the help I've had here.

PS I am using the ASIO drivers ;-)

that's because you only paid $50 or so for that software.  if you want all of the inputs available at the same time you have to upgrade to X1, as I said above.  and pay more for the software...