Need help using an "external synth" (dumb noob ale

[leninboarrir]

Hello. Because I am naive and didn't do my research, I purchased an M-Audio UNO MIDI interface today to use with live. I have an Alesis Micron hardware (as in, a physical keyboard) synthesizer, and I've been trying to record it for quite some time. I was under the impression that a MIDI connection would also record audio along with data, where it only does the latter.

So, I'm looking for a way (if possible) for live to record EXACTLY what my hardware synth puts out, and not what the soft synths process. I know there's some info about it in the manual, but I still haven't been able to produce any sound. I know this is probably a dumb question (in respect to the complexity of the program) but I can't figure it out. Thank you very much.

[EpsilonExordium]

Hello. Because I am naive and didn't do my research, I purchased an M-Audio UNO MIDI interface today to use with live. I have an Alesis Micron hardware (as in, a physical keyboard) synthesizer, and I've been trying to record it for quite some time. I was under the impression that a MIDI connection would also record audio along with data, where it only does the latter.

So, I'm looking for a way (if possible) for live to record EXACTLY what my hardware synth puts out, and not what the soft synths process. I know there's some info about it in the manual, but I still haven't been able to produce any sound. I know this is probably a dumb question (in respect to the complexity of the program) but I can't figure it out. Thank you very much.

Midi DOES NOT produce sound. It only transmits data, like what note is playing. That's all.

This is what I do (note that I have a microkorg, not a micron)

I have the 1/4" outputs of my microkorg running into my soundcard (Emu 0404) breakout cables (1/4" in).

That's it! Works like a dream.

[leninboarrir]

Midi DOES NOT produce sound. It only transmits data, like what note is playing. That's all.

This is what I do (note that I have a microkorg, not a micron)

I have the 1/4" outputs of my microkorg running into my soundcard (Emu 0404) breakout cables (1/4" in).

That's it! Works like a dream.

Thank you for your help, but I knew how to do that already. I thought I could get better quality by going through MIDI.

Here's my problem, though: When I plug my synth into the line in on my soundcard, I can hear it through my computer speakers fine. When I press record, I get a terrible loud hissing sound. What gives?

[laird]

That's a totally different question.
You said "no sound".

You have give us the right details if you want the right answers.

Is your hissing louder than the synth, or is it just too much noise?

What sort of soundcard? Are we talking about the built-in speakers and sound line-in on a laptop?

[laird]

I was under the impression that a MIDI connection would also record audio along with data, ... I still haven't been able to produce any sound.

So to reiterate.... MIDI is just notes. No audio & no sound travels through a MIDI cable in any direction. Just notes. Think of it like sheet music. You can't listen to sheet music unless you have 1. an instrument to translate that music into vibrations and 2. air for those vibrations to travel from the instrument to your ears.

You've got 1. the micron. You need 2. some audio cables

[leninboarrir]

We're not talking about MIDI anymore, I'm back onto straight-up audio recording.

I have my synth plugged into my computer's line in jack (integrated sound card.) When I arm the tracks and press record in Live, all I get is a terrible hissing noise.

[laird]

what type of driver are you using? ASIO? If not, you should.

What are your audio buffer settings? Check under preferences.

The sound is really just fine when am Audio track is armed, but not when you hit the record button on the transport? What happens when you use session view?

[laird]

although, truth be told, that Synth is way to nice to record through crappy inputs using dodgy 1/4" to 1/8" stereo adapters anyway.

There will be nothing close to "EXACTLY WHAT THE MICRON PRODUCES" with this setup, but hopefully we can get you recording some audio.

[leninboarrir]

What I meant by "exactly" is having the program (instrument) that I was playing on the synth be replicated on the computer, but that's due to my general lack of MIDI knowledge.

I am using ASIO. In Live, I can't even get the program to recognize my synth.

[laird]

I am using ASIO. In Live, I can't even get the program to recognize my synth.

Live will never recognize your synth.

It will recognize your MIDI card, and your SOundcard.

So you can really hear your synth just fine, even though you think it isn't recognized, when you have an Audio track armed? And when you hit record on the transport, then this sound changes to hiss???

Does this hiss get recorded?
Does this happen in Session view?

[leninboarrir]

It will recognize your MIDI card, and your SOundcard.

You know what I mean. Let's start from the beginning.

I have my synth plugged into my computer's line in jack, with a 1/4" cable. I can hear the synth when I play it because it will just come out of my computer's speakers.

When I play in Live, both the Master and Audio tracks show no response when I play my synth (as in, the levels and monitors show nothing.) When I arm the track and press record, I get a horrible hissing noise.

[laird]

I don't know what you mean. What sort of laptop comes with 1/4" inputs?
Is this a Mac, or a PC?


Sounds to me like you have not set up anything under Preferences/Audio. The manual has a chapter on hooking up your soundcard and getting it set up within Live.

The fact you can hear your synth play through your computer speakers somehow, and somehow this stops when you try to use Live, suggests to me that Live does not have control of your soundcard.

Until we know if you are on a Mac or a PC, more advice might not be terribly helpful.
[/b]

[leninboarrir]

I'm on a PC, and it's not a laptop. I just use a converter to make a 1/4" cable into a 1/8".

[Tympanic]

maybe u first have to check if u are using the line input or the mic input. if u are on the mic input, make sure u have not selected mic boost in the system settings of ur soundcard somwhere under "record" or so. then install asio4all, and check the settings there, make sure "hardware buffer" or what they call it, is not enabled. and, if possible, get the signal over line in and not over mic in.
don´t go under 256 samples with the buffer...

maybe that will help out a little

[laird]

I'm on a PC, and it's not a laptop. I just use a converter to make a 1/4" cable into a 1/8".

Oooh, tympanic has another good guess there with the mic vs line input.

Also, every answer brings up one more question!

Are you going from two 1/4" mono cables into a Y-adpater 1/8" stereo jack?

If not... this _shouldn't_ be a problem, inserting a mono jack into a stereo plug should be OK, the stereo plug should make two contacts on the mono Jack.

STILL, one more thing to add to your list of stuff to try:
When you are able to hear your synth, is it really coming out of both speakers?

its possible your adapter is bad and only making one conenction, say on the left side. You can hear that OK... until to try to record the Right channel inside Live.

What does the track input say when you hear the noise in Live? "Main in 1/2" or "Main 1" or "Main 2" or something similar?