Need help recording mixes?

steppa · Post by **steppa** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:33 pm

Dont really know where to put this, but basically ive got a pair of Numark TT1650's and a Numark DM 1050, on the cheap side, but it works for me lol.

I want to get recording my sets where do I start? Loads of ppl have been saying about getting a soundcard and putting the recording phono connection into that, then into my laptop and connecting it all up to ableton, i have ableton 5.0, just wanted to know if there are any easier ways? Or wat is the best way in you opinion? Got a bit of dollar if i need to aquire anymore equipment.

cheers in advance for any help

wub · Post by **wub** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:39 am

I'd recommend the Gemini iKey.

Records directly onto USB stick in either MP3 or WAV format, plus it's portable and runs off battery, so you can take it to wherever you're playing

-drix- · Post by **-drix-** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:53 pm

the iKey is definitely worth a look, but there are loads of cheap interfaces about for recording your mixes such as the BEHRINGER UCA 202. Plus if your using ableton, not only is recording a breeze but the things you can do with the mix after you've actually recorded it are endless.

ferrotype · Post by **ferrotype** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:48 am

i have a behringer 4 chnl mixer, it comes with a seperate tape output so i use a phone to jack lead connect it into the input on the back of my soundcard. i use cool edit pro to record my sets.

Steve AC23 · Post by **Steve AC23** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:28 am

Personally I think the Gemini iKey is wasting ur money, especially if you have a laptop!
I find it unecessary in your situation, unless you didn't want to carry your laptop AND tunes to a club.....hard enough keeping track of tunes when your pissed haha let alone a laptop!

All you basically need to do go from either RCA or 1/4" out of your mixer to RCA or 1/4" in your computers soundcard.

Doesn't matter what it comes out of really, my mixer only has a master out (two of.)
Aslong as ur not clipping.

If you had a desktop, I'd recommend an M-Audio Audiophile.
They are cheap and are a bloody good build.
You'll find a lot of people writing beats (signed) are using them.

For a laptop...A quick look around on this forum,
I'm sure you will easily find some reviews on the best External Card for you.

External cards are usually 4 channels(2 x Left, 2 x Right) In and 4 channels Out, you wont need anymore.

And 2 channels In (L +R) and 2 Out is fine for what you need anyway.

If you really did want more, just buy a small mixing desk.
This would save you having to unplug things when recording from other devices (synths, drum machines, whatever)
Obviously you couldn' record more than one at a time but yea.
It's not needed in this case(so you might aswell ignore that paragraph, you don't need to buy another mixer).

I've bought from (and recommend) using this person on Ebay.
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZaudiosyncrazy

They are the cheapest I've found, have SOLID feedback and even with postage from the USA.
I still saved a bucketload of cash on my card, Everyone I know pretty much buys everything Audio from the States.
Except monitors, price, postage & tryna service/repair the stnuc would be long.

The obvious alternative is to use the internal soundcard on your laptop which should have a line-in (usually?).
Go from RCA(or 1/4") to your basic headphone sized plug into your PC.
The only problem is, it will sound like shit more often than not.

Software wise.
If your using a PC - Soundforge or Cool Edit is what you want to record in.
It's far simpler and easier for you to trouble shoot than routing shit within your sequencer.
(Tryna keep it simple

. )
If your using a Mac, Peak is the best wave editing software in my opinion.

The iKey would be ideal for recording sets out, but personally for the price, Id get iRiver
It would be cheaper (unless the iKey dropped in price since I looked at it.).

Surely it would be far easier to look at a screen on your laptop for your levels and not the ikey with LEDs on the box?

I know thats a fuckload of typing, but it hopefully covers any bits you were confused with.
Kept adding and adding haha

Sorry If I've completely missed the point, not trying to make you look or feel thick, just trying to help.

Soundcard would be useful for future production plans also

spencertron · Post by **spencertron** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:13 pm

As my mixer is balls (doesn’t have 2 master out’s/monitor outs, only 1) and my soundcard is defunct…for recording mixes I did the following…

I bought 2 phono splitter’s £1.50p each, to split the master output.

This creates 2 L and 2 R signals

1 L and R go into my amp > Monitors

the other L and R has a phono to stereo jack which goes into my laptops sound card/line-in.

I open Logic and hit record on a stereo track. Ideally you would want to record into your DAW from the amp, but a few tweaks of the levels etc and it’s sorted.

It’s a £3 solution with exactly the same results.

Steve AC23 · Post by **Steve AC23** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:59 pm

did i miss something here

spencertron · Post by **spencertron** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:03 pm

ac23 wrote:did i miss something here

no you did well.

Edit: sorry i didn't read you big post, i should have really.

djprojekts · Post by **djprojekts** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:44 am

On a related note i use a Behringer uca 202 and i use serato on the same laptop, now when i want to record a mix my laptop says 'usb bandwith exceeded', any one have a work around this problem as i record mixes still but they sound shit??

Sorry for the hijacking of the thread lol.

somejerk · Post by **somejerk** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:31 am

Wub wrote:I'd recommend the Gemini iKey.

Records directly onto USB stick in either MP3 or WAV format, plus it's portable and runs off battery, so you can take it to wherever you're playing

that looks really dope!

dj klaim · Post by **dj klaim** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:08 pm

I'm looking to start recording my mixes to my Laptop, I've been advised to look at these....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-70SB02 ... 108&sr=1-2

I'll probably take the mix into cubase to clean it up, so not bothered about the software which comes with it. Anybody use this ? Or can point me to any other soundcards ?

dj klaim · Post by **dj klaim** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:05 am

Likkle bump.

donna_dada · Post by **donna_dada** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:01 am

I use soundforge...

Um question...is it me or is editing your mixes in edit programs kind of cheating?

wub · Post by **wub** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:20 am

donna_dada wrote:I use soundforge...

Um question...is it me or is editing your mixes in edit programs kind of cheating?

Not kinda, it is

That being said, if you'd played a mix live and it went off, then if you then wanted to give out a LIVE recording of said mix, going in and editing a few bits here and there wouldn't be that out of place.

Need help recording mixes?

Need help recording mixes?

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