Recording using the 2nd Channel/input on your interface

FruitarGeek

Just a quick question for you recording pro's

I have a 2 channel interface. Usually I always record using the first channel, and then I just swap my instruments around that first channel thus rendering the second channel almost unused. Except today, I'd like to keep the microphone settings for the first channel and plug my instruments directly into the second channel (just saves swapping the whole time).

But when I strummed my guitar I heard nothing, realising my microphone was still being picked up from channel 1. I then changed in my DAW the input channel to be 2. You know it usually says 1/2, 1, 2. Well, I just chose 2. Is this correct?

Big-G

Just choosing '2', should be correct, and should give you a signal from that input, but it really depends on two things....

Firstly,what interface are you using? How is it connected? Are the drivers correctly installed?

Secondly, what software Program are you using? Protools? Reaper? Cubase? Etc.

If you give us some more info on your setup, including the above info, then we may be able to assist more accurately?

Regards
G!

FruitarGeek

Sure.

Using M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Connected via USB. Drivers are indeed all properly installed, including drivers for the interface and ASIO

I'm using Ableton Live 8.

*If I select channel 1/2 (which is the default) it will pick up the microphone which is channel 1, so I want it to pick up channel 2 instead

AlanRatcliffe

I'm not familiar with the M-Audio stuff or Ableton, but you should have the option of 1, 2, or stereo, but specific names and setup options boil down to the driver and the recording software. You might also have to set your destination track in the DAW to mono. Experiment and see.

As an aside - while I rarely I keep a lot of gear plugged in all the time and then just select the correct input for what I want to capture. Saves a lot of time and avoids the need for a patchbay.

Warren

Adrian Rogowski wrote: Sure.

Using M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Connected via USB. Drivers are indeed all properly installed, including drivers for the interface and ASIO

I'm using Ableton Live 8.

*If I select channel 1/2 (which is the default) it will pick up the microphone which is channel 1, so I want it to pick up channel 2 instead

I'm not in front of my home machine at the moment, but your setup is the same as mine. Just select the second input (I think it's called 3/4) for whichever track you want to record to. I use this when I mic up my amp: SM57 into the first input, LDC into the second and record them both on different tracks.

FruitarGeek

ShreddySmurf wrote:
Adrian Rogowski wrote: Sure.

Using M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Connected via USB. Drivers are indeed all properly installed, including drivers for the interface and ASIO

I'm using Ableton Live 8.

*If I select channel 1/2 (which is the default) it will pick up the microphone which is channel 1, so I want it to pick up channel 2 instead
I'm not in front of my home machine at the moment, but your setup is the same as mine. Just select the second input (I think it's called 3/4) for whichever track you want to record to. I use this when I mic up my amp: SM57 into the first input, LDC into the second and record them both on different tracks.

No that didn't work at all. When I go to select channels and I strum my guitar, the only channels that are responsive of channel 1/2 (stereo, although only the right hand side of the volume bar is moving - but still no sound) and channel 2, which does have sound

Warren

Adrian Rogowski wrote:
No that didn't work at all. When I go to select channels and I strum my guitar, the only channels that are responsive of channel 1/2 (stereo, although only the right hand side of the volume bar is moving - but still no sound) and channel 2, which does have sound

Where did you make the selection? On the inputs of a specific track? Also, did you remember to arm the track for recording and turn monitoring on if you want to hear the sound come through?

FruitarGeek

Well at first, the only channels available for me to select (per individual track) where 1/2, 1 and 2. There was no 3/4, 3 or 4. So I went to config and enabled them (I had obviously disabled them). I tried to select them in the track but nothing. My monitors are set to hear on playback, but even if they aren't I can still see if its responsive via the volume meter

Warren

Adrian Rogowski wrote: Well at first, the only channels available for me to select (per individual track) where 1/2, 1 and 2. There was no 3/4, 3 or 4. So I went to config and enabled them (I had obviously disabled them). I tried to select them in the track but nothing. My monitors are set to hear on playback, but even if they aren't I can still see if its responsive via the volume meter

Does the LED blink on the second input of the M-Audio device itself when you play the instrument? Is the gain perhaps not all the way to the left, or the "inst/line" button pushed in?

FruitarGeek

Yup, everything is blinking on the interface.

Just to clear it up, I AM getting sound, and I am able to record my guitar but ONLY if I select it input channel 2. The other channels are not responsive. Now I am fine with this, I just want to know if its the right thing thats going on, and if it makes sense. If not, I would like to know cause it is the first time I am recording using the 2nd channel on my interface

Warren

Adrian Rogowski wrote: Yup, everything is blinking on the interface.

Just to clear it up, I AM getting sound, and I am able to record my guitar but ONLY if I select it input channel 2. The other channels are not responsive. Now I am fine with this, I just want to know if its the right thing thats going on, and if it makes sense. If not, I would like to know cause it is the first time I am recording using the 2nd channel on my interface

Oh, right, I thought you weren't getting any sound at all ?

If you can record two different inputs onto two different tracks simultaneously, then all is working fine.

FruitarGeek

Oh. Haha, ok great. Glad its all fine then

Sorry for leading you down the wrong path, but I really appreciate the help none the less