microkorg recording in garageband

[kwtbassist]

ok so i have my microkorg hooked up to my Mac using a USB to Midi cable. My korg is getting recognized by garageband but its only letting me use the preset instruments in the program. now i really wanna use one of the patches i created. so my question is how do i use my sound from my synth instead of the preset instruments?

[Daddylaser]

what you are doing is using the MK as a midi controller

what you would like to do is just record the microkorg

1.connect your microkorg to a mixer or amplifier (you cannot record the synth directly into a computer without firstly boosting the sound with a mixer or amp)
2. connect the mixer/amp to your computer's line in, and press record in whatever program you use.

you can record directly into garageband no prob...but its better in the long run to use a proper sound editing/audio recording program like Audacity, peak, wavelab, soundforge etc

then just drag the recorded file into garageband when you're ready

[X-Trade]

1.connect your microkorg to a mixer or amplifier (you cannot record the synth directly into a computer without firstly boosting the sound with a mixer or amp)


......


you can record directly into garageband no prob...but its better in the long run to use a proper sound editing/audio recording program like Audacity, peak, wavelab, soundforge etc

then just drag the recorded file into garageband when you're ready

two points here are completely untrue.
you don't need to boost the microKorg's output level - the microKorg output is at Line Level, as is a mixer's output. If it were a guitar or microphone you would want a preamp of some kind, but electronic equipment such as synthesizers etc that have a Line Level output can go straight into your line-in or even better a professional audio card or external USB or FireWire interface box.

There is also no problem recording directly into Garrageband. For a start it means you will be able to record directly into your project and have all your tracks sync up, without playing around with different packages and adding unnecessary complication. There is no recording quality advantage in another package if all you are doing is just recording audio. In fact, things like soundforge etc are often used the other way around - for mastering after you have finished your project.

Garrageband was developed as an entry level professional recording solution. and if you are layering your tracks with other tracks, it makes sense to be doing it all in the same project in the same package.

I don't quite understand why you say there is an advantage recording in a different piece of software?

[Daddylaser]

ok i retract my comment about connecting it to a mixer or amp
X-trade here is probably correct about that
I didn't realise you could record a synth straight into a computers line in
i will try that later


BUT...
what i said about it being better to record it in a separate program is NOT untrue
you may disagree but it is not necessarily untrue

what are the advantages of recording it in a separate program i hear you ask?

i can think of a few
1. if its a good take/recording..you may later on decide to bring it into another song
2. you could bring it into different programs (lets say you stop using garageband and move on to another program.....you would have a folder full of synth takes to play with)
3. you have much more control by doing it in a real audio editing program
(for example...if you start your pattern/melody/riff a split second late...it is very difficult....sometimes impossible... to drag it to the right spot in garageband....the zoom scope is just not as broad as when zooming and chopping in a real audio editing program)

garageband is a fine program but it is not the best for fine tuning and clipping samples when you get down to it. that is why i personally do it externally

thats my 2 cents anyway

i noticed the original post was unanswered and i wanted to throw the guy a bone
apologies if i mislead

everyone has different ways of doing things

[kwtbassist]

when i record directly the sound is alittle sketchy, is their a way i can clean it up

[tpantano]

1. if its a good take/recording..you may later on decide to bring it into another song
2. you could bring it into different programs (lets say you stop using garageband and move on to another program.....you would have a folder full of synth takes to play with)
3. you have much more control by doing it in a real audio editing program
(for example...if you start your pattern/melody/riff a split second late...it is very difficult....sometimes impossible... to drag it to the right spot in garageband....the zoom scope is just not as broad as when zooming and chopping in a real audio editing program)

no, just no.

especially 1 and 2, if you understood GB you'd know you could do them.

[Daddylaser]

@ kwtbassist

read my first post again
x-trade reckons i am wrong about connecting it to a mixer first...but i have a sneaking suspicion I am still corect
if you connect it to a mixer and the record the mixer into your computer that will clean up the sound.
if not then you need a better sound card



@tpantano
i know you could "do them"
but my method is for doing them WELL

even though you CAN record directly into garageband....you can do a far better job my way

i understand GB very well thanks. its funny how no one helped the original poster but you are quick to jump on me for any reason.

this whole recording thing varies from person to person. there is no "NO, JUST NO" as everyone has different methods
i'm just giving the original poster my 2 cents...why don't you?

[xmlguy]

(you cannot record the synth directly into a computer without firstly boosting the sound with a mixer or amp)

ok i retract my comment about connecting it to a mixer or amp
X-trade here is probably correct about that
I didn't realise you could record a synth straight into a computers line in
i will try that later

x-trade reckons i am wrong about connecting it to a mixer first...but i have a sneaking suspicion I am still corect
if you connect it to a mixer and the record the mixer into your computer that will clean up the sound.

For someone who didn't even know that you could record straight to the computer, you might consider the possibility that the people who corrected you understand these issues much better than you do.

Please, explain precisely why and how a mixer will "clean up the sound." Sneaking suspicions won't do.

[X-Trade]

even though you CAN record directly into garageband....you can do a far better job my way

...

this whole recording thing varies from person to person. there is no "NO, JUST NO" as everyone has different methods
i'm just giving the original poster my 2 cents...why don't you?

I fail to see how recording in one program which is geared only to seccond-based unsynchronised recording, editing or applying effects etc, then copying to another program, arranging, and finding that all your tracks are out of time, is a better workflow than solely working in a program that has a click, has software instruments, has musical and not just time-based editing, etc..

I also fail to see how adding an extra analog device and extra cables to a recording chain can increase quality. If anything you're adding more chance for amplification distortion (for example in a mixer's op-amps), colouration, and adding more noise due to more components and more physical connections...

[Daddylaser]

hmmm
seems like lots of people here on power trips

@xmlguy
for someone who offers no help whatsoever to the thread, it is clear to me that you are just a troll trying to pwn me or whatever

the original poster says his sound is "a little sketchy" when he records directly...a suggested by X trade.

...

2+2= ?




*sigh*

personally when i record directly it sounds like s**t..but when i use a mixer it sounds good. i believe the reason behind this is because it boosts the sound, but i can't be sure as to why and how.
i just know it works for me.

[Daddylaser]

I fail to see how recording in one program which is geared only to seccond-based unsynchronised recording, editing or applying effects etc, then copying to another program, arranging, and finding that all your tracks are out of time, is a better workflow than solely working in a program that has a click, has software instruments, has musical and not just time-based editing, etc..

see my second post in this thread

I also fail to see how adding an extra analog device and extra cables to a recording chain can increase quality.

maybe this will help solve that dilemma you're having:

when i record directly the sound is alittle sketchy

opening your eyes and reading the thread should help you see things clearer

**********

i am not having any problems recording myself so it seems funny how you are all jumping on my posts as opposed to using your energy to help out the thread starter, kwtbassist.
none of you seem able to answer his last problem.
but i did.
deal with it pls and stop screaming about it

i know for a fact that my method that i explained at the top of the page works 100% perfectly. if you prefer to work by cutting corners be my guest, but it seems that its not helping Kwtbassist.
my way may be a little extra work but it is worth it as it definitely works.

simple



I "CAN" stab a baby in the face,
but its better to give him a teddy bear.

[X-Trade]

when i record directly the sound is alittle sketchy, is their a way i can clean it up

This is usually down to the cable quality, or the input level being too high.

It is difficult to diagnose without knowing what cables or connections you are using, and what exactly you mean by 'sketchy'.

[X-Trade]

1. if its a good take/recording..you may later on decide to bring it into another song
2. you could bring it into different programs (lets say you stop using garageband and move on to another program.....you would have a folder full of synth takes to play with)

You can do both of these in garrageband, or cubase, or anything else. You can copy/paste/export/remove the individual audio clips from a track. Furthermore you're working with a whole project and not having to work with a bunch of probably badly named and unorganised wave or aiff files in a folder. Most modern DAWs (garrageband included) have project management features that take care of all of your files for you.

I can understand wanting to do it all yourself and keep track of everything, but once you start to trust the DAW, you'd realise there's nothing to worry about, and its just adding extra steps that waste time that could be better spent actually working on your project. Which is another major advantage of doing everything in one package - they are usually designed to have the aforementioned project management and workflow features built in designed to help you get your inspiration down without faffing about with technical details.

Seriously, I don't have a problem with it, but I wouldn't reccommend it to someone else, and it certainly won't have any effect on your actual recording quality, only differences to workflow and tools available.

[Daddylaser]

ah but you omitted my third and most crucial point

it may seem to you like its better to work in one package but thats just you. your attitude seems to not allow any other method to be true unless you agree...but who are you to say?

for someone else...while they are outisde of garageband..in an audio editing prog...they might get into the swing of things and record a whole bunch of takes and accidentally make 4 new songs. etc etc
they might even decide to reverse the take and create an insane riff of the dead and the dying.
happiness ensues
this wouldn't happen if just working in one track/one package

so who are you to say my method is quote: "untrue" and will "affect my workflow"??

its one thing if you offer another method to someone who needs advice..but to correct someone else on their method which works fine is just nonsense. post collecting bullsiht to be fair.

to me, your method is just the simplest fastest easiest way..which is not necessarily the best way.
************************


X-Trade..does my method work?

yes it does

did I lie to kwtbassist?

no

[xmlguy]

@xmlguy
for someone who offers no help whatsoever to the thread, it is clear to me that you are just a troll trying to pwn me or whatever

the original poster says his sound is "a little sketchy" when he records directly...a suggested by X trade.

...

2+2= ?




*sigh*

personally when i record directly it sounds like s**t..but when i use a mixer it sounds good. i believe the reason behind this is because it boosts the sound, but i can't be sure as to why and how.
i just know it works for me.

You need a lot more help than the original poster. By the way, a troll is not someone who disagrees with you. If that were the case, then everyone is a troll to you, because you were wrong, are wrong, and continue to be wrong, which is why everyone who actually knows what they're talking about is disagreeing with you. Besides, I don't care one bit if you think I'm a troll. It's obvious to everyone else in this thread that you don't have any clue about what you're talking about. Nobody has to pwn you here, you're doing that quite well all by yourself.

Just because YOU can't figure out why YOU can only use a mixer to get good sound doesn't mean that YOUR experience applies to everyone else, or even to ANYONE. That's because it doesn't. If YOU knew how to fix the specific problem that YOU have with YOUR gain levels with YOUR computer I/O, then YOU might have a chance to fix YOUR problem so that YOU don't have to use ANY mixer to get the sound that YOU are supposed to get when directly connected. Everyone else can directly connect without a mixer just fine. That's YOUR problem.

If YOU had posted a question asking why YOU had to use a mixer to get good sound quality with YOUR computer, we probably could help YOU solve THAT problem rather easily. But YOU are being such an Axxwipe I doubt that anyone here is going to want to help solve YOUR problem, which is fixable without using a mixer. I'm certainly not going to help you. It's a waste of time to try to help someone who is ignorant and who intends to stay that way. Ignorance can be more easily changed with a little education. Obstinance isn't worth changing.

There IS a reason why you have to boost your signal to get the proper audio quality and everyone else doesn't. Once you figure that out, only then can you discover that you were writing a load of bullshxt.

You don't have to LIE to be unhelpful. Posting inaccurate and bad advice based on your irrelevant personal experience that you incorrectly think applies to everyone else is more unhelpful than if you didn't post a single word.