How to record your synthesizers - a beginner friendly overview
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2018
- How do you record hardware synthesizers? In this overview I talk about different options for this.
Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)
MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm
Soundcraft MTK 22
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG
Soundcraft MTK 12
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d
Tascam Model 12
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=... (affordable!)
US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E
Presonus 16 channel
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j
MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1
GOOD FX
Zoia
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/463334?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MAL
Blackhole
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503207?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/jExYb
Tricerachorus
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/529760?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/MXJDDK
PATCHBAY:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg
SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y
SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=...
US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy
GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM
Korg Minilogue XD
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
Cobalt8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
Argon8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL
Microfreak
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK
Dreadbox Typhon
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6
Korg NuTekt NTS1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10
Reface CS
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
HydraSynth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2
DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR
TR6S (tiny!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=...
US: bit.ly/pulsar23
Drumbrute Impact
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3
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BUSINESS INQUIRY
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Here's an updated list of gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)
Here's gear I recommend for a synth setup & your studio. This is almost exclusively gear I have used in my studio and know to work. (All links are affiliate links)
MIXERS (all of these can record multiple channels at once)
Bluebox Mixer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504944?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/b4ELm
Soundcraft MTK 22
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359305?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/6a2GG
Soundcraft MTK 12
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/359304?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/35b7d
Tascam Model 12
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483453?offid=1&affid=623 (affordable!)
US: imp.i114863.net/Vro4E
Presonus 16 channel
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/423722?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/RxJRb
Presonus 32SC (the one I use)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/462793?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/vLe2j
MIDI THRU BOXES (midi splitters)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/220156?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/LvenY
iConnectivity MioXL (there's a smaller one too!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/476770?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/xxAy1
GOOD FX
Zoia
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/463334?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MAL
Blackhole
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503207?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/jExYb
Tricerachorus
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/529760?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/MXJDDK
PATCHBAY:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/118484?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/XxbLLg
SEQUENCERS (makes no sounds themselves)
Novation SL Mk3 // 8 track keyboard/sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/450573?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/QqZ79
Arturia Keystep Pro // 4 track sequencer/controller:
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/483153?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/M4G7Y
SYNTH & SAMPLERS WITH SEQUENCER
Roland MC101 // portable 4 track synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473345?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/74Lq5
Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd
Novation Circuit Tracks // 4 track Sequencer & Synth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/512775?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/0kgRJ
Elektron Digitakt // 8 track sampler, 8 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/yDJYB
Elektron Digitone // 4 track FM synth + 4 track sequencer
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/431568?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/4kOXL
NI Maschine+ // standalone sequencer/sampler
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/501389?offid=1&affid=623
US:imp.i114863.net/m69Yy
GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM
Korg Minilogue XD
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
Cobalt8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
Argon8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL
Microfreak
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK
Dreadbox Typhon
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6
Korg NuTekt NTS1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10
Reface CS
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
HydraSynth
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2
DRUM MACHINES
Roland TR8S (very versatile!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/434284?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJoR
TR6S (tiny!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504204?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/QBzL6
Analog Rytm MK2 (pricey but amazing!)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/503365?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/WjW7O
Pulsar-23 (a bit overkill for a beginner)
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=1&affid=623
US: bit.ly/pulsar23
Drumbrute Impact
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/444377?offid=1&affid=623
US: imp.i114863.net/LJod3
This is incredibly helpful. I've been looking for a video like this for a while now. Thank you!
Bo is just a gem. Learned a lot from him.
I'm late but.. I can't thank you ENOUGH I couldn't find any really helpful videos that are begginer friendly, you made everything so clear and now I really know how to start! Thank u so much, love your channel :)
Thanks for all you do, I've learned quite a lot from your tutorials.
Thank you for all the good information. I really like the idea of mixing my hardware by hand in a multitrack mixer and you've given me some great options. I'm probably going with the Zoom L12 because it can record to SD card directly
Great series of videos Bo. Many, many, many thanks! I have a few pieces of gear like the ones you've shown in this series but my next critical step is a larger audio interface to tie it all together (so, not really a 'portable' setup). After much debate I'm going to upgrade my 2i2 to an 18i8 since now I have too many pieces of gear. Can't wait to get it since it'll allow me to run my N Circuit, BS 2, controller, effect pedals, piano and guitar at the same time either just jamming or recording as separate tracks. Your videos have been super helpful as I bumble along learning how to make all this happen. Cheers!
You are helping me SO SO much Bo. I have most everything but short on having your EAR & LOGIC now. I am deep into learning all I can. As soon as I do something setting up the REST of my studio ie: TR-8S got to learn about setting a beat ! Barely cracked the Manual........! stay Safe we will get thu this......stuck in Seattle WA got time
stay safe buddy! :)
thanks Bo !! always learn alot from your videos !! no nonsense or BS just great info & great presentation dont ever leave us and retire !!we love you
♥️♥️
Great video Bo. I totally agree with you regarding recording quality.
GIVE US MORE!!! Strong informations as my coffee, great AGAIN bo!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge.
Great video Bo. I went through this whole process last fall and could have used a video like this along the way. I've used Focusrite interfaces for years and never had a single issue with any of them. They are cheap and work perfectly.
At the moment however I have a pretty substantial setup consisting of a MOTU 828es and two MOTU 8A's connected via ADAT. This gives me around 26 analog inputs and outputs. I use nearly all of them. The setup works really well and has very low latency. Using my DAW I can route any combination of synths to any combination of guitar pedals without unplugging anything. It's amazingly flexible, trouble free and uses very little space.
I've looked at mixers but I'd need one with around 512 channels to achieve the same thing.
Mr. Bo thank you for recommending this video now I know I need a multi tracking mixer
Extremely helpful video, thanks a lot
Incredible resource. Thank you. ⚡️
Thanks for sharing, should be helpful for a lot of people!
So I just stepped into the synth game and I would definitely recommend anyone who mostly uses hardware based synths to go with a mixer that has an integrated interface. Recording live loops and samples just becomes so much easier with simple EQ and volume controls right at your fingertips. The tactile feedback makes it just another instrument. I like having the precision of a DAW mixer, but not when I'm performing!
Thanks Bo. I to used sound cards in the day. Well, I waited 20 years and I have to learn it all over!
Very helpful, thanks from the UK 🇬🇧
Just picked up a Zoom R16. It’s a audio interface, mixer and recorder all in one. Really nice bit of kit. Also got some basic effects and runs off batteries, so super versatile 😀
Thanks for the video! I use an Echo Layla (1997) in Cubase 5 in Win XP and it works excellent ☺️
Your channel is great!
Whats nice about the more deluxe audio interfaces is that you can keep all your gear plugged in all the time. So if you have an idea you can just turn it on and get to work. You don't want to have to be fussing around with cables everytime you want to record.
Thank you so much for the info!
great video, despite my English is not great I clearly understood your useful advice 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Very helpful and clear explanation, thank you. Can you do a demo? eg. a demo about the expansion adat and recommendation will be very helpful. appreciate.
Hey Bo!
First of all thank u for all your great work!
Helped me a lot in many cases.
Can you please recommend which Patch cables are the best for your opinion?
Tnx a lot
Dude, I really love your videos
Thank you
really like your videos!
i still have reel to reel,compact cassette and DAT in my studio, tho il admit its been a few yrs since ive used any of them lol
I record using a Scarlet with 8 multitrack and I just started cassettes ! :)
I've got a M-audio Projectmix i/o and it is awesome .. it's great for us old guys who used to record analog cause you get the same hands on feeling .. it also got MIDI in and out, 8 chanel audio input 1 spdif and an ADAT interface so you could ad 8 more channels. It is a firewire device so the latency is really low .. ok it an old interface but it got the specs needed and it works great with Ableton , cubase and of course Pro tools wich BUT there's a "midi-mode" so you could map it to any daw yourself. I'm so happy with it that I've got 2 of them :)
With recording via mixer, you can use a little trick to get 2 seperate channels from sum: pan channel 1 to left, channel 2 to right. In DAW, choose channel 1 input -> left and channel 2 input -> right. Later, make the mono channels stereo again and adjust panning. You can use this e.g. to separate vocals and backing track, or drum computer and synth.
I use Audio 10 from NI and works great for home studio. 4 stereo inputs and 4 stere outputs plus send and return (In and output) :)
Zoom Livetrack L12 or 20 is a nice mixer & recorder & interface. Only disadvantage is the missing possibility to record more takes to the same channel. I hope Zoom grants my wish for the next firmware update ;)
I Love this channel
Great video Bo. I’m confused at recording line out levels from hardware such as drum machines, samplers, synths, etc. Can I plug it in my mic channels on my interface? What should I turn up while recording, my gain on the interface or my volume knob on the hardware (sampler, synth). I just want to get a really nice clear recording and don’t know whether to keep the gain in the middle and turn up volume on hardware or turn up gain and keep volume on hardware low? Any help would be great.
Thanks
Again great vid,
I was wondering with audio interfaces like the scarlett, If I want to record stereo in, do I use 2mono channels or... ?
Just became you 37,000th subscriber. Cheers!
Thanks!! ☕️☕️☕️
The focusrite 18i20 is a great buy if you can afford it and very future proofed for any home studio. Picked up a Mk2 second hand half price, very good sound card I love it and the UI is nice and simple. I did what you all recommend and get more inputs than needed and I cant say enough how important this is before you buy a sound card. I already need an Octopre expansion one year in and my sound cards already maxed. Kid you not all 10 outs, all 8 ins and SDPIF, the rear of this looks very sweet now. Started with a Mother, now got an oversized family. Dam you mother! lol :D
Another thing to think about which I overlooked was send and return to one or all of your synths, so now need I more IO, good excuise to get an octopre and link with adat. I really love this expand-ability in this range. You will end up using all the IO for something IE i saw a good trick to create a PC monitors channel using the redundant SPDIF IO. Now I can make samples directly from youtube/movie into ableton. If your liek me youlll want to use it all and get the most from it. The routing in the UI takes abit of getting used to but yeh I love these cards now, very hassle free, solid and the best colour too :D
Loving every second of my synth journey, you've helped me heaps Bo, keep up the good work ma bro.
Great topic and very relevant to me at the moment. Something I feel needs to be addressed, is external effects. For Synths, which are often stereo, using a stereo effects processor is prefereable. Great effects can start very cheap for a zoom MS70cdr, upto multiple Eventide H9 MAXs (fyi: one MAX and 4 cores can share one MAX). But!: (there really should be a character that combines exclamation point and colon) virtually no mixer has stereo effects send! Most have stereo return, but send... I think external effects add a whole lot to a low end setup. Even (reasonable priced) synths with built in effects benefit from a MS70. Let alone an H9. But mixing... What I found so far: Alto ZMX862, Alto ZMX122FX, Samson Sm-10, blue lantern stereo sir mix a lot (eurorack), patchblocks pbmix3, Art mx82, Radial Key Largo. full stop. Found nothing else home studiofriendly in price/size. Any suggestions?
Nice one as usual BO
I also think some mix up the difference between what frequency you use when mixing your song and actual recording frequency. For instance I always mix in 96Khz using 16bit. Yes, I could use 24 bit too but the difference is perhaps not that differential compared to the size. Sure the heardroom makes a difference but again. However, what really matters is 44.1Khz and 96Khz when it comes to mixning. Two good points to keep in mind :)
When it comes to mixers and audio interfaces, it's actually a bit what you need and what budget you are on, as well. Many channels do give more options but when mixning down you perhaps only need 4 channels. Anyhow those are my points. :P
Thank you for this video! I've purchased an old Kawai K4 synthesizer but it has 2 audio outputs (L/R) instead of one. Does that mean I need 2 cables: one going from each output into each of the 2 inputs of my Audio Interface?
I run everything into my Presonus AR12. I have a three piece acoustic band (upright bass, guitar, mandolin, plus vocals) and this thing records a stereo mix to an SD card as an analog mixer, OR I can plug it into my iMac via USB and run all my hardware synths through it and through Studio One Professional v4 and there's a template already built in and I can start going to town immediately. I love presonus!
i was dumb and got an audient id22...it sounded good, but it broke. Do yourself a favor and just get a focusrite or steinberg save yourself a bunch of money and the possible headache of an 800$ interface sh*tting the bed. Great vid!
i have Steinberg ur 22 on Win and I curse it since I have bought it...
Hi Bobeats, thanks for your great videos. I just bought a 1995 Roland XP-50 61 keys that is in excellent condition and I am now totally overwhelm by the vintage aspect of it. It is really nice and everything but it does not have USB and it has a floppy disk drive with no disk in it. My question is: How would you connect it to Logic pro X in Mac mini? I have a USB to midi in-out cable, I have TS jacks, and a Focusrite Saffire pro 40 hooked to a pair of Yamaha HS8 speakers. Also, I would like to use my Yamaha reface CS as a sound design synth if it can be hooked to the XP-50. Thanks again and I hope you can give me hope that this new-old synth can be valuable for me in the studio.
1:08 an important thing to mention here. If you are recording synthesizer, then the signal coming from the synth will already be amplified to line-level. This means: you do NOT need preamps on your audio interface! Preamps are for recording microphones and weak signals that are not amplified. And it's a good thing that you don't need preamps, cause preamps are usually either somewhat noisy or terribly expensive. There are lots of money to be saved or rather spent wiser, if you become aware of what you need. Any audio-interface with a descent ADC and line-inputs will do just fine for recording synths.
Great tips! I have the zoom h6, but there's always static noise, despite the low cut! What settings do you use with yours pls?
Soundraft MTK and Tascam DP24/32 can record stems that can be loaded in a DAW for further processing and mixing.
Got the DP24 myself and Soundcraft MTK was my second choice.
Mike, when exporting tracks from the dp24 to your DAW are the tracks automatically synced with each other? For instance, if recording track two you punched in a minute into the song will the DAW know that or do you need to manually sync them in the DAW?
Jacob St. Onge Casavant I don't work in a DAW so you should get in contact with Tascam and check on the very DAW you own.
I wouldn't completely rule out that both must support this feature.
The DP24 is a great stand alone unit with a variety of FX and even phantom power as hi-Z. You can record 8 tracks simultaniously and playback 24 tracks. Then there is a mix modus and master modus, in the latter you mixdown to two (stereo) tracks so your project is done. It does around €419 and is abargain, I'd also check out the Soundcraft series Bo showed in his video, high quality low price.
Great video Bo! I wanted to check the audio interface part, I haven't even considered a multitrack mixer. Could you please share more recommendations about different options/brands? Last but not least, is there a downside for live performances?
Audio interfaces work well for live I’d say but you might need a mixer too if you want more hands on control of levels. Brands: Motu, Arturia, focusrite, steinberg, RMI, Universal audio, tascam
@@BoBeats is my rc looper 505 or my boss 800 digital 6 track ?
Thanks
I have all my synths connected to a Behringer rx1602 and I run that into my Rubix 44. I always record a single instrument at a time so that works perfectly fine for me. I think it all depends on your workflow. This setup I run now is really easy to expand upon as well. If you want to record multiple instruments at the same time it is no good of course.
Oh you give me a very good idea for my problem, because I want more synths but my focusrite 2i2 it limits me in that aspect. I am looking the beringer that you mention and it"s all I need! So thanks, i have two questions.
1. Bring power supply?
2. Can you simply put it on the table or do you need a rack or something to place it on?
Thanks!
@@punkotero it has a basic computer power supply cable, so no lose adapter. Small note: mine did "hum" on some wall sockets for no apparent reason so you may need to check your setup for potential earth loops (or like me just plug it into a seperate wall socket instead of a power strip).
You can actually remove the rack ears so placing it on a table is no problem at all. You can even stack your audio interface on top off it =)
@@SyntheticFuture Perfect, thank you very much for the help and blessed the moment I read your comment, you saved me a lot of money, since I had been looking at a mixer, and a decent minimum did not go below 250 bucks, so this will be a very good option that will allow expand my set up and at the same time buy my long-awaited MFB Tanzmaus!
@@punkotero not a problem at all! Here to help where I can =) If you need any further information please let me know =) Oh and you can also check my Instagram tha_tyger where I have a few doodles that I made with this setup =)
Hey Bo, love your channel. I've had great experience with my Behringer UMC404HD. It's 4 in 4 out, 48v phantom, midi IO, low latency, solid build. You can pick one up for around 100 bucks and in my opinion there's nothing that comes close for a beginner at that price point.
Was going to say the same thing. I love my 404. Bought it to record 4 nt1a's for podcasting but it's been super useful for everything else as well. 4 outs for quadraphonic has turned out to be a welcome addition I didn't know I would want when I bought it!
I also noted that there is the tascam interface with like 8 or 16 inputs on it? Very cheap :)
@@joethatoneguy how do you use it as a quadraphonic setup, if you don't mind me asking
@@aerialcombat I really only use quadraphonic when playing with vcv rack using nsythi's quad panner on sound sources to the 4 independent outputs on the core module. On the hardware side I take two stereo cables and hook them up to the outputs of the 404 out to two amps which each power 2 speakers. I've only just begun playing with it but after hearing Suzanne Ciani talk about the benefit of space as a musical variable I had to check it out.
@@joethatoneguy thank you, I've the same interface and was wondering about using all four outs with added effects
The Zoom L12 has a standalone 12 channel mixer and recorder that also works as a USB interface. It’s the best of all worlds.
Richard Caceres the Zoom is great, really happy with mine as well (R24)! Was looking for a mixer to hook up my synths simultaneously, and an upgraded interface in terms of number of inputs. Found exactly that in one device! Mostly use it as a stand-alone, then transfer the files to my DAW for mixing.
No single product is capable of being the best of ALL worlds. Literally impossible.
I personally like having a sub mixer. I have around 12-14 inputs needed to get into the computer, but i don't need them to be simultaneous. So i use only two inputs at a time. I feed all my instruments (save for bass/guitar/vox which go into the DA/AD) into a Soundcraft mixer then into the interface. That way, i can use one midi controller to play a few synths at once, sub mix them and add efx via 3 aux sends and record the finished sound as a stereo track. That makes me commit to sounds from the get-go. I have loads of plugins that are great but sometimes (often) i just want to get the sound where i want it to be at the start. I also have an 8 track cassette machine that i'm setting up to just be fed from outputs from the computer interface. I'd warn against Focusrite however. I had a brand new Saffire Pro 40 which was great but died after only 4 years and was out of warranty so they quoted $$$ to fix.
Great thoughts!
Bo could you help please - i am a beginner and want to record my synths/keyboard etc with hardware only ( dawless ? ) so i believe midi in for syncing is pretty essential and the 1010 music bluebox looks an option but possibly small and fiddly and my research pointed me to an old but high spec Roland ( Boss ) BR 1600 which gets excellent reviews even now.Accessing files ( songs ) to download to my PC is possibly an issue so wondered if you have any insight into this m/c or any other alternatives that will sync ? Thanks for the review it's great to have this as a resource for people like myself who are just setting out.
Next video suggestion... levels in the audio path when recording. Mine always seem lower than expected. Even after normalizing.
I'd also love some tips on reducing hiss/noise when recording. And the whole - 6dB thing.
Great video. Can you talk about the benefits (if any) or recording synths through a DI box into a mic preamp of some kind? Curious if it has any benefits.
Theoretically I assume it can have but in general, for most normal synths, no real benefit. Best way is just to try if you happen to have a box laying around
Dustin Cassidy with a nice do mix pre it can add a little but yeah not always much
Thanks Bo-very helpful. It'd be great to SHOW how the Scarlett 18i8 adds up to 18 (still a little unclear for a newcomer like myself). In addition-I'd sure be interested in hearing about cassette recording--but I fear that's because I am pretty "old school" because....well I'm afraid I am getting older now (still remember putting cassette's into my car stereo to listen to while driving)
So the 18i8 got 8 extra channels via adat + two over spdif. So 8+8+2
@@BoBeats Thanks-what I meant is this: i have never seen an adat setup do am not clear on how you could gain those extra 8 channels....perhaps demonstrating that would help (but your verbal explanation was great, as usual-you are a good teacher)
Hi Bo, I'm thinking of getting a rytm mk2 but have read that the individual channel outs don't have effects on? I was thinking of mixing the individual outputs in my DAW (FL Studio). Whatl would be the best way to record the rytm and effects? Thanks.
Hey love the channel . I'm in the process of buying gear & I bought a 2i2 scarlett interface Question: what am I losing or gaining from running the two together as I have seen in other videos? Will I be able to record those instruments plugged into my mixer, into my DAW?
with a 2i2 you can run your mixer into your computer and record a stereo track at the time I think
Dude, One word, "Tascam Mixcast 4". It's an all in one audio solution and high res multi channel recorder and line out right to your camera. So all synths go in and mix as you see fit, record, add in affects and out to your camera. Oh, it's an audio interface as well for your PC/Mac.
I just wanted to know if I could connect my Sequential OB-6 directly to my Antelope Orion 32+ Gen 3, using a DB25 to TRS snake? The OB-6 manual doesn't say what level it's outputs are at, but it should be near line level, right? Which means direct would be fine. The OB-6 outputs are unbalanced though, and the Orion inputs are balanced, so I was also wondering if that would be an issue
Did you ever do a video for cassette recording? I'd be interested in watching that.
50% of people in here responds "what? cassette? what is that...?"
@@jekonimus literally no one else responded in the past 2 months
@@jekonimus I think most people watching videos about analogue synths know what cassettes are.
Hey Bo great video! I want to record my live performance with the portable recorders. Which one you would prefer? I also want to take the output from my audio interface directly to this portable device. So I should consider with the ones with XLR/TRS inputs ? Or just go with mini jacks ? Whats the best option ?
Thank you!
I would go for an interface with XLR/TRS combo jacks for sure. This is much more versatile than minijack recorders. Just look at Zoom H series: their lineup is great. Then get one with as many inputs you need (h4 or h6 perhaps?). I would always buy one with the most inputs you can afford :)
Thank you so much !
I have a mother 32 and scarlet would you suggest using an external sequencer?
Hey Bo.
Do novation Summit has an audio interface as well as a supernova?
Great video. Where in the setup do you plug in a looper like a Boss RC-202/505? Is it an input to the audio interface or an output? Or both?
Thanks! If you want to use the RC to record into the computer you simply input stuff into the RC then RC out into audio interface. Or if you want to use the computer as the sound source you do it the other way around: computer out into RC, recording on its different looper tracks. Then having multiple outputs out of the DAW is great.
I started my studio with an RC-505, so I'll add to Bo's helpful comment. The RC-505 is a good audio interface by itself, although only 2 ins (main mix) to the PC. To get all separate tracks into the PC (5 to infinite) you have to transfer them after the performance. Also, you can record your whole performance onto 1 track of the RC! It records up to 3 hours total with no limit on single tracks. But the best way is to use the RC as a SEND in your mixer. Then it becomes your two-stage killer multi-effects unit for all your instruments, and still works normally too.
I've been trying to record my Sculpt synth to a Tascam digital 6 track recorder. Although I can get a signal into the recorder, it's extremely low volume. My volume on the synth is at Max, and audio level controls on the recorder are Max, but the level on the meters of the recorder are very low, and the sound through the headphones attached to the recorder are very low as well. As far as I can tell, my settings are ok on the recorder. Just wondering if I need a preamp?
When running a stereo left and right from synth to mixer, do you pan the mixer inputs hard left and right?
Just a thought. I was wondering if you could create a synthesizers (Korg Minilogue and Circuit for example) recording related video specifically in Steinberg Cubase. I would like to see the process of recording the different tracks (for example: drums, base, lead, pad), and how you handle to timing issues like latency and also the moving, cutting of the recording audio. I am not sure if there would be any interest of such a video, maybe this is too basic, or probably there are many other similar videos out there. Still, I thought that maybe you would represent it in a better way.
I'm looking for an audio interface for my setup, I am looking to get a digitakt and ju06 or se02 to work with my sp404, I'm just curious if I would be able to get away with using a scarlett focusrite 2i2 since I'll be sequencing with the digitakt
Just using my internal soundcard with an old analog mixer. Missing multitrack recording is fine by me, I record device by device. What else do I miss?
Yeah I think device by device works fine for sure :-)
Hi I'm going to use an audio interface, use only hardware instruments to produce. How can I connect everything to the daw and record a synced setup and still see a track for each instrument on the daw? And can I make one of the instruments the master clock instead of the daw?
An advice on mixers, compact especially (not affiliated with the company, I am geologist that happens to be a hobby musician). After many mixer iteration, I bit the bullet and bought Keith McMillen, K-Mix. In start i thought that Its a bit pricey, 600$, but when you experience what it can do you actually ask your self how they produce it for the low price as this. Basically you get 4 things: Audio interface, Standalone/USB Digital mixer with on board DSP effects, and Control Midi Surface. So for the price of one unit you get 4 perks! List goes on, 8 balanced inputs, 10, yes 10 outputs. Latency 2.5ms, speeed! Not to mention it looks like a peace of art. Definitely will be an solid mate to your OP-1, Electrons, Viruses, Nords....
heard great things about the K-Mix!
Except that it sucks, because when it breaks down, it blows out your other gear and KMI will not repair it within warrenty. My advice: stay away.
@@okeribok Sorry to hear that. What happened to your equipment? I used it daily, didnt abuse it in live situation. I have connected expensive gear 24/7 to it, VirusTi, Nord Lead 3, Matrix 1000, Kurz 2661, Senheiser md441,my Mac Pro, etc...Please advice.
Some USB problem fried it, and everything I had connected. Sent it back and I got "you opened it, so no repair, but you can buy a new one", but only after about a month or two. Will never buy KMI again.
okeribok This is vague. Did you actually open the unit? What was the “Some USB Problem?” Was it one month or two months before KMI got back? It sounds like you had a problem that wasn’t KMI’s fault and you got stuck eating it. I’m not saying it wasn’t KMIs fault, it’s non-specific/ not helpful info. I like my K-Mix and and all 8 inputs are connected to a different analog synth I use - sometimes all at once. I also aggregate it with an Apogee Duet - I’ve got too much stuff going on.
Not trying to be negative on you, I’d just like to be informed more specifically about what happened.
Mine is connected to and powered by my computer via its USB micro port usually, but at home I will also connect to its USB mini port with an iOS wall connector to take load off the bus on the computer. I’m especially curious if this was in play.
The Ultranova has been discontinued. What would you suggest for someone who was set on buying that one and now cannot? Any similar hardware synths?
I have been wondering for a while now, is there a way to use an all hardware set-up that goes in a 16 channel mixer with AUX effects, and use the direct out of each channel to then plug in your x-amount of inout audio interface? Since the direct outputs on mixers are pre-AUX, what is the trick? I know that many many people have a hardware set-up that goes in a mixer then in a soundcard but I can’t figure how to use AUX effects AND multiple outs.
I was hoping you to talk about what input to use. I was thinking line input but my synths are not balanced line level
Hello i have a korg karma and a motif 7 i run logic x 10.4.8 want to use both keyboards as audio in my dw when i want o make audio tracks what audio interface do you reccomend to get to run 2 synth.... thanks for helping me out
Beheringer U-phoria UMC 404 HD 24 bit 192 kHz 4 in 4 out plus masters Midas preamps £100!!! Bargin Bo!
what is that delicious looking Orange thing next to your iMac. And that minimalistic metal box or two below it ? Love the way they all look.....as if IKEA started make sound and computer equipment.
First off I am not at all technically minded. I have pretty much been using Audicity for recording software and a stereo line in cable from the phone jack of my keyboard, that I hook up the other end of that to my mic input on my PC and I try to get the best recording possible. But are there things that I can do with my current software to help improve my recordings?
Do you have any advice on recording the video? I know plenty about recording audio, I have ableton, but I don't know the first thing about recording video. I want my viewers to be able to watch me manipulate my elektron gear.
Behringer ufx1204 is the one u want for multi tracking
I've been doing home recordings for years but I'm new to synths both hardware and software. My current problem is how do I record the synths one track at a time while maintaining midi clock?
How do you record sounds so you can use them as loops as some sounds have reverb.
Thanks.
i use Arturia's Audiofuse,this little (compact) Audio Interface has everything (even ADAT (in and out)
for a mixer i use Akai's Midimix,altough i cant get bank left/right buttons to work in FL Studio,getting frustrated about that LOL
as they make tons of tons of computers for gaming why not make a motherboard especially for music,where you can bring the latency to zero
i know,you can put all your instruments in RAM on a second computer,but that's very costly,and computers have a limit when it comes to RAM
128Gb for the newer models,to populate this moterboard you need 8 sticks of 16Gb DDR 4 RAM,wich comes to 1449.99 at amazon
wich is'nt cheap,and excluding the price of the motherboard,the case,the power suply,and of course,the expensive I7 processor
btw interesting video,good for knowing what's out there
Hi Bo, wondering how to get clean results when recording hardware. I record directly into a UAD apollo. I am powering everything via a furman rack conditioner, and I am using balanced cables. There is a noticeable amount of noise even with proper gain staging. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Theres no reason it should by noisy, try unplugging one unit at a time and find the culprit by method of elimination
I want to create a portable synth setup. I want ro be able to use a drum machine and a synthesizer at the same time. Can i do this in aboeton or is it possible to record the idea with a groove box and somehow put that into ableton to record it.
I need some help with my set-up which i'll admit, i'm striggling to use (too many things bought in too short a space of time = GAS)...
I have a few hardware synths, Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK and Ableton/laptop... Struggling to understand how to record the synths into Ableton... Every video i watch mentions audio interfaces, but nothing about mixers... Am i right in thinking that i don't need an audio interface as i have the 12 MTK?? I also read/watched various things that talk about the need to use the External Instrument Ableton plug-in for sending MIDI!??!?!? But, this doesn't recognise my mixer...
To get audio into Ableton i would load up an audio track, select audio from "ext in" and select the specific channel that i have the synth connected to on my mixer e.g. Minilogue XD on ch7/8... I simply arm the track, press record and record the audio in... Is that the way it's supposed to be done?? Is there nothing in Ableton that will automatically start and stop the recording when it detects sound from the synth? I've also noticed that the sound seems to be coming into Ableton very low despite the mixer being in the red... Lastly, i watched another video about recording both the MIDI and audio from a synth and then playing back the MIDI channel and being able to tweak the sounds on the synth, but i'm getting no sound when i play it back... Not sure if this is because i'm using a mixer and not an interface...?!?!
So many questions... HELP! :-/
Big thank you.
I am a grumpy old man!!! And very frustrated with the " Gap that's missing"
I have a simple Korg Monologue , three Volcas, a few guitar pedals and a Korg NTS1.
I do not like DAWs or computers.
All I want to do is record my synth work and my live music making ( playing the steel guitar) and other instruments and to send the files to my family and friends to enjoy.
Is this a hard call?
YES ! ....
Because the Zoom all singing and dancing recording machine is aimed at videographers???
Has latency issues?...and probs a bit OTT for synth recording.
I need a PC to export the files to?
Wherever I go, all recorders need a PC to export the files to.
I am so frustrated by this.
I am 70 years old, not high tech but can see a Thunderously huge gap here.
What is needed is THIS!!!!
A hand held recorder like the Zoom without all the microphone sockets that is capable of let's say up to four tracks( to record our synths) and then to BLUETOOTH or somehow get the WAV or MP3 file to our Android phone or iPhone so that we can send that file to whoever we like.
No one does this!!!
What's the hold up?
We are so HiTech now yet this is missing.
Is there a marketing reason?
I am really sorry to blast and sound off but I hope you can reason with my frustration at what seems to be an obvious oversight.
Pete
This might be a stupid question, but how does a Roland MV-8000 stand up to the presented products for the purpose of recording and mixing without a computer?
What are people using mixers for? Just for adjusting volume with the sliders? They are so expensive and I am still a noob but I never used one, I turn the sound down and up on my synths in my rack or in my Erica Synths Pico Mix.
Literally mixing sound signals together so you can run several instruments into one stereo signal for recording or sending to speakers.
Routing some (or all) of those signals to a second destination. This could be "monitors" so musicians can hear a different mix from the main output, or it can be used to run some sounds through effects units.
Running sounds through equalizers, either to just alter the tone of the sound, or keep different instruments from interfering with each other, or to correct for acoustic problems in a live venue.
man. look at those set-up!!!! im on fire right naw!!!
I need your help @BoBeats, I use the akai force at the moment but i need something portable, maybe battery powered. I produce drum and bass but i want to keep the music i produce a little bit complex so the novation circuit at its own wouldn't be enough for me. What could i add to maybe the circuit or what setup would you recommend for my situation?
Thank you❤️
Deluge!
24-bit or more for mixing and mastering, so recoding in 24-bits and using it as far as possible can be a good thing. Working in 24-bits might not sound very difrent, but it will give a more dynamic final result because there is more stuff going on in the efects and stuff
And you should have talked about DI-boxes alot... But good stuff still
Logic Pro X starts the Minilogue's internal sequencer every time I hit play. There's a way to fix this?
I plugged a jack into my microkorg and connected it to my zoom H5, (also via jack) and now the zoom stopped working completely. Did I do something wrong here?