Korg Forums

[Vorskorg]

Hi all. I'm very new to this but I'm trying to record my micro xl to my pc using audacity (for now) just to get me going.

I plug in through the headphones on the XL and the other end I have tried every port on my pc. Line in, mic etc but nothing is recording. Any help would be appreciated. I will go to Logic eventually but I'm just starting out.

[xmlguy]

The headphones output are for headphones, nothing else. The L/Mono and R outputs are line outputs for connection to line inputs.

The line inputs on the computer need to be connected to the line outputs on the synth. That requires two 1/4" mono TS jacks on one end to connect to the synth, and a stereo TRS 1/8" mini plug on the other end to hook to the computer. That can be done with a variety of cables, adapters, or a Y cable, all of which should be available at any music gear store.

However, the standard sound card on most computers isn't very good for professional quality audio recording. So an audio I/O box or card is recommended instead, like the Maudio Fast Track Pro, for example.

[Vorskorg]

Hi, thanks for replying. I actually tried that first but it didn't work either. Then I saw this video and thought I'd try it this way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nanZ9ppadU

I'm obviously doing something wrong. Maybe the soundcard isn't up to it? It's a fairly hi spec computer though so I doubt it.

[xmlguy]

That video gives bad advice. I'm an expert, he isn't. Just because something works doesn't mean it's right. You can fry the input of a computer by sending an amplified audio output to it, such as a headphone output. A headphone output also will more easily cause the input to overload and distort. It also doesn't let you use headphones if you misuse it for another purpose it wasn't intended for. The L/Mono and R outputs are the only proper way to hook the MK to a computer. The headphone output should only be used if that's the only option, like in an emergency when one of the proper outputs doesn't work and you still need to get sound out of it. Even when the headphone out is used to connect to a line input, you need to be very careful about the output level.

However, the problem you're experiencing is probably due to the hardware or software on the computer. Either the input jack isn't working, or you don't have the driver, the driver configuration parameters, or the audio recording software set properly to receive audio from the input. Usually the problem is in the software, but a bad jack is a possibility.

If you have any other audio source like an iPod or MP3 player, you can use that as a source to test the input.

Are you using a Windows or a Mac computer?

[Vorskorg]

Thanks - that sounds like good advice. Much appreciated. I'm using a pc with windows 7. Pretty sure the drivers are in place. I'm thinking it could be sofware set up.

Didn't think of testing with an mp3 player so will have a fiddle about!

[Vorskorg]

Sorted it out. Simple. I had my podcast mic plugged in which bypassed it - d'oh!

Thanks to xmlguy though because it was a lot easier to test using my mp3 player. Great!

[xmlguy]

Glad you got it working. Rock on.

[Vorskorg]

Next problem is latency but I'll save that for another day!

[xmlguy]

High latency is typical for built-in sound cards. That's one the main reasons to buy a usb audio i/o box, like an maudio fast track pro, or similar product. These products have other useful features like powerful headphone amps to drive studio headphones, XLR mic inputs with phantom power, 1/4" line inputs and outputs, and midi in/out ports. If you could use a digital multitrack recorder and a DAW control surface, then the Zoom R8, R16, and R24 products can do all of those functions (except midi ports) in one product, and a lot more with onboard effects.

[Vorskorg]

Been looking at the M-Audio Fast Track Pro and the Zoom R8.

I presume the Zoom will resolve my latency issues and add a number of other options like drums and fx?