Recording External Audio

So now that you've already recorded some audio internally, we want to do the same with external audio.

Importance of a Good Audio Interface

Let me just stress again:

• If you want to record acoustic or electric instruments and/or vocals, please get a decent audio interface.
• This will help you achieve smaller latencies (delays in sound).
• Built-in sound cards are never really equipped to do that properly.

Connecting Your Equipment

1. Connect your instrument or microphone:

   • Use an audio cable to connect to an input on your audio interface or sound card.
   • If you just have one, go to the "in/out" section in the audio track.

2. Create a new audio track:

   • Use Command (or CTRL) + T to create a new audio track.
   • Choose "External In" and select the appropriate input.
   • Example: If you've connected your MBIRA to input 3, choose input 3.

Tip: Always choose the correct input based on your connections.

1. Monitoring Settings:
   • Select your preferred monitoring setting; I recommend "Auto" to hear if it gets too loud.
   • Make sure to use closed headphones, especially when working with a microphone.

Arming the Track

Before you arm the track:

• Ensure that headphones are connected and speakers are turned off to avoid feedback.
• If you can't choose the right input (e.g., stereo 3/4), click on Configure, choose Input Config, and turn it on if needed.
• Close the configuration window; setting "Audit 2" to the master is usually fine unless you want to send it elsewhere.

Exclusive Arming Setting

• When you arm a track, it should disarm all other tracks unless you've altered that in preferences.
• This option can be found under Recall Warp > Launch > Exclusive Arm.

Testing Input Levels

1. Test the input:

   • Play your instrument lightly and then loudly.
   • Ensure the levels do not exceed zero; otherwise, you risk digital clipping.

2. Adjusting Levels:

   • If levels are too low or too high:
     • For built-in sound cards: Adjust via System Preferences on Mac or Sound in the Control Panel on Windows.
     • For audio interfaces: Use the knob directly on the interface or download mixer software from the manufacturer's website if necessary.

Setting the Tempo

• If you need to set a tempo for recording something without a rhythm, use the Tap Button in the top left.
• Tap it four times (or according to your desired time signature) to set the tempo.
• You can also turn on the metronome and set a count-in (default is set to none).

Recording Considerations

• When recording, ensure that the metronome is turned off if you have a count-in set.
• During the count-in, the metronome will sound and will be silent during playback.

Starting the Recording

Now that everything is set, you can start recording:

• Click on the record button in the clip slot or use the main session record button.
• After recording, press the space bar to stop. Note: You don't have to use the space bar to stop; it can also stop playback.

Play Back Your Recording

• To play back what you've just recorded, click on the record play button of the clip or on the session record button.

1. Adjust Levels During Playback:

   • Ensure the recording levels do not exceed zero for best quality.

2. Clip View:

   • You can see what you've recorded in the clip view and warp it to ensure it's on time.

Preparing for a New Take

• To stop playback and prepare for a new take, press the New button.
• This will stop clips in armed tracks and select a new scene for recording.

If your scenes are filled, it will create and select a new one.

Final Tips

• Feel free to experiment: record more, tweak your recordings, warp them, or play with transposition.

I'll see you in the next video. Bye!