I'm trying to "mix" MIDI tracks to an audio track.
This is a new build computer. I'm using Tascam FW-1884 as my interface, just got it. My old rig was, well... really old (like 1999). Now the learning curve on the Tascam FW-1884 and CW X2 and Win7 DAW is slowing me to a crawl. It's all I could afford now so I have to make it work. Man, I can't afford one more thing so I hope someone can help me work this kink out.
I'm using the 1884 as my sole MIDI and audio interface as well as control surface. I followed the Deering tutorials and the 1884 is recording both midi and audio. All cables are hooked up correctly (MIDI, audio, outputs) AFAIK. 1884 is in sync and all X2 preferences are looking good.
 
My cable setup:
MIDI Port 1 i/o going to MIDI patchbay (it's manual not electronic)
All keyboards/modules audio outputs going to submixer
Master out of submixer going into XLR audio channels 3 & 4 of Tascam
Mic Pre's going into audio channels 1 & 2 of Tascam
CH 1-4 Phantom On (for mic pre's)
Monitor ouput 1 & 2 to power amp & speakers
Headphones output to headphone amp
 
I'm not using VST's yet the learning curve is already killing me on all my newly acquired equipment/software and I've got to get some simple basic work done now.    
 
I can't get the audio track to record or even show it's receiving sound (except a -59db signal). The MIDI tracks play back beautifully but nothing shows on the armed audio track. I wonder if it's because the 1884 is both my MIDI and my audio interface?  
 
In the old days (Sonar 3 with TDIF interface and digital mixer) I could always mix all the MIDI tracks onto one stereo audio track. It was easy. Arm it, press record and whatever, it worked. Then I used a simple MIDI cable/adapter into the "game/MIDI" port of the old computer. The TDIF Mixtreme card was for my audio recording going directly into Tascam TDIF mixer. I used a Trazport for my control surface. It basically worked. I had to abandon that TDIF setup it was just too unsupported and my old DAW was ready for the heap too.
 I'll keep working on this. Any help would be appreciated.

isingit


I wonder if it's because the 1884 is both my MIDI and my audio interface?   
 

That shouldn't be a probblem and is actually quite common. Are you sure that your signal is getting to Tascam channels 1/2? Are there any meters or other interface where you can see what the Tascam is getting?
 
Regards,
Dan
 

Yea, i think if you trace the signal at every stage (gain or non gain), you'll find your error in the signal chain. just trace it from start to finish.

CJ

Thanks both of you for responding. You are both right. I am so rusty that I forgot to make sure the inputs assigned on the audio track in X2 corresponded to the actual physical channels I had the audio signal coming into the 1884 (3 & 4). The default channels on the input of that track (after inserting the stereo audio track in Sonar) were 1 & 2. That didn't work, duh. I know that the new equipment and X2 is intimidating me. Routing has always been my weakness. In my previous DAW the routing on the Mixtreme soft mixer wreaked my brain too. I've reassigned the input to the correct channel assignments and it's working fine now. 
Cheers, and thanks. 

Get one thing working at at time. Start with the audio, then deal with the MIDI since you are using external MIDI devices. The Big Bang approach will be difficult to debug. 

I have a Mackie mixer that has taped labels all over it because I forget how it works surprisingly regularly. Even have one marked "Do Not Touch!". I've forgotten what it does...

Regards,
Dan

Mixing midi to audio..... 

If you have the midi recorded and playing back...The MIDI tracks play back beautifully . simply bounce the midi to an audio track....or freeze the track.

If you are not using softsynths, you really need to use them. Life is so much simpler with SS.  

This video is on softsynths on MC6 but the same things apply in X1/2 as well : select video #4   http://www.cakewalk.com/CakeTV/Music-Creator.aspx

hope this helps