MetulGyitar1972
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How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
I am new to digital recording and have much to learn. I am trying to get started by creating a drum track from .wav loops. I have figured out how to drag the drum loops into a track. I am running a direct out from my amp to my integrated (I know, very cheesy) sound card on my PC. If I turn the echo control off so I only hear the direct sound from my guitar, how can I synch my recorded guitar track to the drum track that I am playing along with?
Thanks in advance for your patience and suggestions.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/11 21:14:52
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give us more details on the computer and sound card. factory cards work OK for small audio projects but start to reveal their weaknesses pretty quick with larger audio and midi projects.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/11 21:28:41
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I am running MC5 on a desktop PC with Windows XP Home Edition, sp3 with an Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. My sound card is a SoundMAX Digital Audio. I intend to record two, maybe three guitar tracks, a bass track and eventually a vocal track. I know I have to record all of the tracks separately. I have used analog multi track recorders in the past, and basically that is what I am attempting to do now with MC5. I intend to learn more about eq, compression, fx, etc as I go, but I am having a real hard time with the whole latency aspect. I'm used to playing / recording real time. Once again, I truly appreciate the help.
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Beagle
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/11 23:02:59
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mrphantuan
I intend to learn more about eq, compression
you need to bite our collective tails and stop spamming the forum because we're not interested in your crap.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/11 23:31:28
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Beagle
mrphantuan
I intend to learn more about eq, compression
you need to bite our collective tails and stop spamming the forum because we're not interested in your crap.
I agree, Beagle. I was wondering what the heck mr.phantuan's comment was all about. I see you are an experienced musician (I checked out your website). Do you have any suggestions for me?
Music Creator 5
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Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
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I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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57Gregy
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 00:42:47
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☄ Helpful
Beag's probably in bed.
When you record to your drum track, does the new track not start at the same time as the drum track?
If so, does the new track get progressively more 'off' as the song plays?
The solution to a track that is out-of-time with the other tracks, but doesn't get worse as the song progresses is to drag the track so it lines up with the other tracks.
If the track gets more out-of-time as the song plays, you may have sampling rate and/or bit depth mismatches.
Music Creator's sampling rate and bit depth are displayed at the bottom of the MC screen (for most versions of MC). In my experience, that's always the compact disk standard 44,100 Hz @ 16-bit.
You'll have to open your sound card's properties to see what it's set at. Both MC and your sound card have to have the same sampling rate and bit depth.
For greater recording satisfaction, save up for an audio interface designed for recording. About $100 can get you a decent box (not a Sound Blaster).
And welcome to the forum.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 01:34:25
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Thanks for the greeting Greg. Actually, I don't know what I was doing before, but I just recorded a guitar track to my drum track and it's in perfect sync just like I played it...go figure! I could not find the sampling rate and bit depth properties of my sound card, but all seems to be working well now. I plan to save up for a recording interface soon. I'm just trying to get the hang of using the softare first. This definitely beats the old Tascam four-track recorder!!
Here's a somewhat related question; My direct out from my amp is stereo and I'm using a stereo interface cable to the stereo input on my sound card, but the recording seems to be in mono. Any suggestions there?
Thanks a bunch Greg I really appreciate your input!
Music Creator 5
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Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
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SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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57Gregy
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 02:16:53
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Cool.
When selecting the track's input, you should have 3 options; [sound card] right, [sound card] left and [sound card] stereo. If it's set to either right or left, you'll get a track with audio on only one side.
But guitars and mics should be recorded mono, unless your amp has some cool stereo effects you want to use. Otherwise use a mono input (a stereo track will use twice as much hard drive space as a mono track, and unless you have those afforementioned cool stereo effects, that's just wasted space).
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Guitarhacker
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 08:36:42
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What you are suggesting that you want to do is totally achievable in MC.
I have run projects with close to 20 tracks and they all run smoothly, and perfectly in sync.
One suggestion if I may. Look at Beagle's site again and start to consider buying a decent USB musical interface. Essentially a sound card that is designed to record and playback multi-track music from a DAW.
All of us here have upgraded to using one. The factory card can not handle the DAW data load efficiently.
Once you have an interface that uses ASIO drivers, MC5 will run like you are wanting it to. Ask questions here in the forum before you plunk your money down. Nothing worse than buying what you think is a good interface (according to the sales guy/gal) and you come back here with problems and we tell you you shouldn't have bought that brand because of the problems it gives..... trust me on this.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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57Gregy
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 10:07:00
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A correction on my post above: When recording a mono device like guiter or microphone with a stereo input you'll only get sound on one side, usually the left. You should select a mono input for guitars and mics. Sorry 'bout that. I was tired and sleepy and while I was in bed about to go to sleep I had one of those d'oh! moments. 
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Robomusic
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 17:05:19
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If you can afford a small device to make it all work a ton better then buy one of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-xenyx-802-mixer/631263000000000 I used one for years and they really help. It allows you to record and monitor at the mixer and takes the fight out, until you can afford a better interface. Add to that later a good sound card like a Delta 24/96 and you have a great setup for the home recordist.
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Beagle
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 17:24:41
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MetulGyitar1972
Beagle
mrphantuan
I intend to learn more about eq, compression
you need to bite our collective tails and stop spamming the forum because we're not interested in your crap.
I agree, Beagle. I was wondering what the heck mr.phantuan's comment was all about. I see you are an experienced musician (I checked out your website). Do you have any suggestions for me?
thanks for checking out my website. these guys above here have some expert opinions for you and if you've been on my website, you should have seen that I have at least a little bit of information there regarding EQ and compression. if you can't find it on my website, I'll look those help pages up and give you direct links. but they're in the CAKEWALK HELP under the RECORDING HELP pages.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 18:34:18
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OK, lots of info there to chew on thank you everyone!!
My biggest frustration right now is I just had to delete my temp internet files and log back in so I could respond. I have the forum saved in my faves and every time I click on it I get a "Done but with errors on page" indicator in the bottom left corner, and all links on the page are dead. Grr!!!
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 18:46:02
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57Gregy
Cool.
When selecting the track's input, you should have 3 options; [sound card] right, [sound card] left and [sound card] stereo. If it's set to either right or left, you'll get a track with audio on only one side.
But guitars and mics should be recorded mono, unless your amp has some cool stereo effects you want to use. Otherwise use a mono input (a stereo track will use twice as much hard drive space as a mono track, and unless you have those afforementioned cool stereo effects, that's just wasted space).
Thanks again Greg. My amp actually does have a cool stereo chorus which I have grown very fond of and to get the full effect of it I need to record both sides coming from the amp. Although, I could probably use the built-in chorus effect in MC...
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 18:51:12
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One suggestion if I may. Look at Beagle's site again and start to consider buying a decent USB musical interface. Essentially a sound card that is designed to record and playback multi-track music from a DAW. Guitarhacker
Thanks Guitarhacker. Forgive my ignorance, but what is a DAW? I'm taking a stab in the dark and assuming it stands for Desktop Audio Workstation?
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 18:57:25
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If you can afford a small device to make it all work a ton better then buy one of these http://www.musiciansfrien...-mixer/631263000000000 I used one for years and they really help. It allows you to record and monitor at the mixer Thanks Robomusic. I'm a tad bit confused now, though. Why would I want to record at the mixer when I can record with all of this functionality in MC? I thought I just needed an interface that would allow more and different types of inputs and which had ASIO capability? Ahhh....with more informations comes many more questions. Sorry I am totally a greenhorn!
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 19:02:05
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if you've been on my website, you should have seen that I have at least a little bit of information there regarding EQ and compression. if you can't find it on my website, I'll look those help pages up and give you direct links. but they're in the CAKEWALK HELP under the RECORDING HELP pages. Beagle
I did see the EQ and compression help on your site, Beagle. Great site! I will surely be utilizing your Sound Card help in my quest to find a reasonably priced card that offers the features I'm looking for.
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 19:06:50
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By the way, I think I solved my "error on page" problem.
I blocked "mrphantaun" and voila! no further issues.
Seriously, don't people have better things to do with their time? Like making cool music?!
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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Guitarhacker
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/12 20:29:19
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I think we have a future Bapu #2 on our hands here... not that post count matters....
Hey Metul.... yeah you're right about DAW.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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57Gregy
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 00:28:14
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MetulGyitar1972
If you can afford a small device to make it all work a ton better then buy one of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-xenyx-802-mixer/631263000000000 I used one for years and they really help. It allows you to record and monitor at the mixer
Thanks Robomusic. I'm a tad bit confused now, though. Why would I want to record at the mixer when I can record with all of this functionality in MC? I thought I just needed an interface that would allow more and different types of inputs and which had ASIO capability?
Ahhh....with more informations comes many more questions. Sorry I am totally a greenhorn!
Don't want to speak for Rob, but another way to say what he wrote would be "record in MC while monitoring from the mixer". Kinda bypasses the whole latency issue until you find yourself recording BIG projects. Digital Audio Workstation. For the amp's stereo chorus, you can choose to record a stereo track from the amp using a stereo input in MC, or you can put the R and L on different tracks selecting right input on one track and left on the other. Just in case you want to EQ the sides differently, or maybe add another effect from MC to the other side.
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chuckebaby
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 02:22:12
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has anyone suggested asio4all untill he can get a soundcard?..i mean its not great but wouldnt it atleast get him recording right now untill he could get to the soundcard store(you know what i mean)just a thought,i know you are about the three smartest guys on the site,so dont want to step on anyones fingers..or is that toes?
Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64 Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GBFocusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
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Robomusic
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 11:19:48
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You don't record at the mixer you monitor all the tracks there existing and new. The mixer allows you to hear everything and not tax the system by using features like input monitoring which will bog down the system.
Most mixers have control room, or group settings where you can we.. .. Mix the sounds together.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 20:55:07
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Thanks very much to you all!! This forum is great and I really value all of your expert advice. @hacker - sorry didn't mean to overpopulate the thread with too many posts. I will consolidate from now on  @Greg - Gotcha on the mixer. If I wind up getting a mixer do I still need to get a better sound card / interface or will the mixer accomplish what I need? And as far as recording stereo L and R, I will have to try that. In the past (on the analog four track) I always recorded two guitar tracks, one for each side, to achieve a thick chorus effect but if I can record two tracks at once that would be much simpler! @Rob - Thanks for the explanation on the mixer. I will certainly look into getting one. Although, I am on a limited budget so I will have to build up my DAW a little at a time.
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
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I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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57Gregy
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 21:23:53
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Well, an audio interface designed for recording and able to handle the huge amounts of audio going both ways (playback and recording) with multiple tracks is a good thing. The stock sound cards tend to begin stumbling with large projects and when using lots of soft synths and effects. Of course a fast computer can help, too.
An audio interface like the M-Audio 24/96 needs some sort of pre-amp for microphones, either from a mixer or stand-alone pre-amp, but it's a good device. Getting that and a small mixer would be a great starter set up.
Even though I have the Focusrite Saffire, from which I can monitor the project, I still use my Yamaha mixer. I have the Focusrite output and the keyboard's output running to it. Plus the audio output from this computer (which isn't my DAW) so I can listen to music from the internet.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 21:47:39
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Okay, so basically for about $170 I could get a small mixer and a better sound card and be pretty well set up? I think my wallet can handle that.
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
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I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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Beagle
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 22:39:09
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most people don't need a mixer and an external (USB or firewire) soundcard. usually the USB or Firewire soundcards have versatile enough routing without needing the extra mixer (they're like a mixer built into the soundcard, sort of). it depends on what your needs are.
if you get an internal soundcard (PCI or PCIe) then I absolutely recommend a small mixer.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/13 22:50:53
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Beagle
if you get an internal soundcard (PCI or PCIe) then I absolutely recommend a small mixer.
Okay, so if I get a good external soundcard I don't necessarily need a mixer?
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
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I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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57Gregy
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/14 00:40:03
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Most externals have the necessary inputs for mics and guitars, many have inputs for connecting a CD player or other stereo device, some have digital S/PDIF or optical inputs. Many have phantom power if you want to use condenser mics for recording. Most allow monitoring at the interface so latency shouldn't be an issue.
$170 can get a very good device for home recording.
Ask here before buying; we wouldn't want you to get a Sound Blaster or Alesis I/O.
And what chuckebaby wrote abour ASIO4All is correct; if you're having insurmoutable latency, ASIO4All can help. But if you later buy a device that has native ASIO drivers, you must remove ASIO4All before installing the device.
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Beagle
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/14 09:18:34
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☄ Helpful
MetulGyitar1972
Beagle
if you get an internal soundcard (PCI or PCIe) then I absolutely recommend a small mixer.
Okay, so if I get a good external soundcard I don't necessarily need a mixer?
right - it does depend on your needs. I personally have an external soundcard AND a mixer, but I have a complicated routing system for several inputs and outputs. most people don't need a mixer AND an external soundcard as long as the external soundcard has enough "features" like enough mic pres and phantom power. direct monitoring can be done at the external soundcard just like direct monitoring can be done on a mixer.
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MetulGyitar1972
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Re:How to sync guitar audio and .wav drum tracks in Music Creator 5
2011/07/14 21:39:59
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So I need to figure out what my FUTURE needs are and go from there, because as of right now, I'm having fun just jamming and recording and tweaking track-by-track! And, I am actually "direct monitoring" through my soundcard right now with no latency as long as I keep the echo control off :)
Music Creator 5
Windows XP sp3
Intel Celeron 2.53 GHz CPU
2.0 GB RAM
SoundMAX Digital Audio
I'm no pro, but I got some goods to show ;)
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