Record audio using loopback

Hi
Forgive my lack of knowledge but I've got some new kit.......a Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 and I'm very inexperienced with DAWs. The Pro 26 has got a loopback feature so you can record audio from e.g. Media Player
In the Saffire Mix control I have set DAW 1 and 2 to loopback (Virtual inputs 17 and 18). If I play something in Media Player, the meters respond.
In MC6 I have set up an audio track.....but I can't get it to see the loopback audio. Can someone help me please?
I will have lots of questions in the near future!
Cheers
 

Hi Beagle
Thanks for the advice.........yes that works!
At first I thought it didn't....I made the changes as you said and still nothing showed on the track meters (with record armed). However, I saved the file and re-opened it and the loopback audio now shows on the track meters.
 
Can I ask you what the function of the Input Echo is please? It sounded awful when switched on!
 
Thanks again

I'm afraid you've lost me! Say I'm doing a guitar lead track and listening to the backing track as I play. With the Input echo off......I can hear the backing track and also what I'm playing. With the input echo on...yes there are latency issues....so why have the option?
 
 

Well Focusrite describe the Saffire Mix software as an ultra low latency 26 x 8 mixer/router so I guess thats why. (I thought that was the advantage of ALL audio interfaces......thats why I bought one?). I can see now why the option for Input Echo is in the DAW software though.
 
I used to use an external mixer with ins and outs from the PC soundcard, guitar, mic etc probably as you do.
I was told that if I also used soft synths I would probably encounter latency issues so I purchased the Saffire.
 
Thanks again for your help.

Thanks Karyn.
Is it possible to hear a real time effect but record without the effect? e.g. Say I wanted to record a vocal track and add reverb to the sound the vocalist hears.......but record the track dry?
I worked out how to do it with my old hardware mixer and external efx but am struggling with my new audio interface and software mixers.

Thanks.........oh I have got so much to learn.........!
So in Karyn's example I would hear the amp sim plug in but the recording would be dry?

Karyn

There are those who say using an amp sim does not produce the same results as using a real amp... 

Main reason for this is feel. Latency alters feel. If you ain't feeling it, it ain't happening.

And you can achieve a good feeling at a reasonable volume too. In headphones it can also be achieved.

There is a steep learning curve here also. Just grab some tutorials from cakewalktv on YouTube and you'll get it in no time. You have some experience. That will help immensely.

HTH😊

Thanks everyone. Yes, I have got a bit of previous experience ( years ago using Cakewalk Home Studio) but I did everything wrong! Guitars, vocals etc all recorded wet and the only mixing was just adjusting levels for each track.
To be honest I never experienced latency problems using my pc soundcard but I presume it was because I was only monitoring pre-recorded tracks and new tracks through my external mixer.
 
After a break from music playing and recording I recently decided to upgrade to the Saffire audio interface, studio monitors etc and make more use of my ancient midi keyboard. Previously I had only used it with a Yamaha GM sound module but I recently heard and purchased the Zeta 2 software synth....and well, was blown away.
 
So, I am now 21st century!
 
I know I should not try to run before I walk.....but bearing in mind that the Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 has more than 2 ins and outs, is there any benefit in me upgrading the MC6 to Sonar X3? 
 
I also have an old external multi-effects unit (TC Electronics M300 Reverb/delay). How would you best employ it in my setup......if at all?

Thanks Greg. So with the advantages of Sonar X3.....and the extra I/O capability how would I be able to use outboard effects?