Zero 4 - Computer connectivity - Recording to a Laptop

AL X · Post by **AL X** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:09 pm

Ive recently acquired a Korg Zero 4 mixer and bought myself a firewire cable to use between my laptop and the mixer.

I can now play mp3's,video's & radio on the laptop and listen to them through my sterio via the mixer.

Is it however possible for me to record from my turntables to my laptop through the mixer?.

If yes, what software can I use (abledon live does'nt seem to be any good for recording & I don't know how to begin to use it either!).

pike · Post by **pike** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:10 pm

Yes. Depending on which software / platform you are using, you can select any of the four stereo channels (or all of those, or a few others) as audio input in your recording software.

For example, if you use Audacity, go to preferences, you should see all your korg outputs as inputs. Select something, close preferences, press record.

I'm slightly baffled though. You can do all of this with a $200 yamaha mixer, and it's probably easier too. Care to swap gear ?

2$c,
*-pike

bctines · Post by **bctines** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:21 pm

Yes, but you must have the stereo's output cabled into the Zero4's inputs.

AL X · Post by **AL X** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:13 pm

Ive downloaded the audacity software mentioned by Pike.

I use Korg as my playback device and Microsoft sound mapper input as the recording device in preferences.

It does work in recording music from vinyl to my laptop, so im happy in that respect.

However, the sound quality of the recordings is very poor

...

Is this due to firewire being a poor interface?.

Anyone have any advice?.

pike · Post by **pike** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:26 pm

No, firewire by itself should not be a problem.

It could be a whole bunch of settings from your input, through your mixer, to your recording application, that mess things up. my particular problem was i had to open all the volume sliders to the max to get a decent input level. I'm still wondering if that is normal.

Audacity gives you nice big graphs of your audio - compare those with some other audio you have, visually.

But it could just as well be the file format / resolution in which you are recording or exporting / saving your file to. You need to be more specific ..

Good luck!
*-pike

zalo · Post by **zalo** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:01 am

if you are using the sound mapper as your input then you arent recording over the firewire

your input needs to be a korg one

there shouldnt be any cables connecting your zero4 to your sound card

tio · Post by **tio** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:30 am

Hi guys

ive tried everything as above to record through fire wire...

but i still could not get it working..

im a newb at all this, if someone doesnt mind, could they please explain to me in lamens terms how to record through fire wire?
I have a normal dj setup going (2 cdj 800's + zero 4) and it just isnt happening.

pike · Post by **pike** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:30 am

Hi tio

I think you need to be more specific if you want to get an answer. What is your hardware, what is your software, what is your setup, and what isn't happening ?

You have 2 cdj 800's + zero 4 there - so what are you trying to record with ?

*-pike