Connecting the Korg Triton Extreme to a computer

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:25 am

Hi SanderXpander,

I think your right and its obvious that a pair of stereo inputs is important to any audio interface I buy especially as I will be using the Korg Triton Extreme as my main keyboard.

And yes I am on a budget but I will keep looking for a suitable audio interface with these specifications.

Do you get a better sound quality if you record the Korg Triton Extreme through the audio interface rather than through the audio cable I am using now?

Many thanks.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:30 am

Objectively, almost certainly so. Subjectively, I don't know that you'll be able to tell the difference, that's why I said the difference will be much less dramatic than with the mic. With the latter, you'll be changing mics and getting a decent preamp as well as just the A/D converter. With the Triton you'll only really be using the converter. The sound should be clearer, more defined, probably less noisy and less "flat", especially when recording multiple parts on top of each other. But these will be quite small differences and they may not be immediately apparent. You could try A/B-ing recordings of the same part with both cards, if you're wondering what exactly the interface is doing for you.

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:38 am

Hi SanderXpander,

Thanks for your advice.

Even if it makes a small difference to the quality of the songs and recordings then I will be happy. As you said the recordings of the vocals will improve greatly and that is the main thing.

I am looking forward to purchasing the right audio interface and microphone which I think will be the Rode NT1-A and doing some test recordings.

Thanks again for all your help it has been invaluable.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Thu Apr 24, 2014 4:19 pm

I have the NT2A which is basically the same, just with a few more options you probably wouldn't use anyway. I think that's a great starter mic, very well priced and better than the really low end stuff from Samsung, Behringer or oher Chinese remake stuff. I would put it in the same quality category as the Scarlett 2i4. Obviously you can get multiple hundred dollar AKGs, Neumann's or boutique brands, but I think it's a solid choice to start with. I'm happy still happy with my NT2A and crank out some pretty good sounding stuff with it (mostly demo's for commercial bands and duo's). I do use a dedicated tube preamp for it most of the time, but that could be a later addition for you.

I think the main "other" thing you need is a good recording room/booth. I have padded a closet myself which works great, I just hung up some blankets and put up a mattress. when recording myself I start/stop the computer remotely using iPad or phone, when recording others it's no issue. Make sure your headphones close well so you don't get too much of the backing track bleeding into the vocal takes, these mics are very sensitive. If you can't get a separate room (or closet), put an upright mattress or thick hanging blanket behind you and use one of those SE Reflexion filters, they make a world of difference and give a very professional sound - they don't really block outside noise like cars or your computer, so a separate room would still be best, but if that's no option they do amazing job of cancelling your own reflections while singing, so you'll get a good "vocal booth" sound instead of a "I did this in my bathroom" sound.

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:08 pm

Hi SanderXpander,

Thanks for your advice about the Rode microphone. I have read so many excellent reviews across the internet about this brand and so I am excited about purchasing one and getting it home and trying it out for the first time. And yes I will also take your advice about recording in a small room or closet to get that studio sound. I will definitely also do some further reading before I attempt to record any vocals.

As for the audio interface I have decided not to go with Focusrite or Presonus either. I know they appear to be too of the most popular brands out there at the moment but I have been looking at two different brands which I think could also work well for me.

The first is the Roland DUO-Capture Ex USB Audio Interface which can be seen here:

http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and ... erface/MNW

The second audio interface is the Steinberg UR22 USB Audio Interface. Which you can see here:

http://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR22-2- ... B00B1FFPYO

Please let me know what you think about them ok.

Many thanks.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:17 am

They're both well respected brands, although they didn't create their fame with their audio interfaces. I don't have any experience with either interface so I can only go by online reviews just like you.

The only useful thing I can add is that the Steinberg one has a "mix control" which means you can mix the sound of the inputs with the sound of the backing track. This is useful while recording, because if you were to monitor the sound of the inputs "through" the computer, there would be a small delay, which can be very distracting. This feature of listening to the input signal directly from the interface is called "direct monitoring" and The Duo Capture only seems to have a switch for it, with no way to set the balance. A minor inconvenience because you would still be able to adjust the volume of the backing track in the software, but still it's something you might miss especially when switching between different recording instruments a lot (like Triton/voice).

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:36 am

Hi SanderXpander,

Thanks again for your advice.

As you said both audio interfaces appear to have good reviews and so I am happy to purchase either one. I will do a final check later today before placing an order.

The Steinberg UR22 additional feature which you mentioned does sound particularly useful but as you say I can adjust the volume of the backing track in Logic Pro X which I aim to purchase as well.

Just one last thing. I want to connect my Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer to the audio interface I purchase. What cables do I need for this to capture/record the backing tracks? I never sequence anything in the Korg Triton Extreme so I am not talking about the Midi cables. I want a cable to connect the Korg Triton Extreme to the audio interface to record the backing tracks which are audio?

Many thanks.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:55 am

Regular jack-jack cables will do. Sometimes they're called TS cables/plugs (tip-sleeve) to differentiate from TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) cables, which would carry stereo or balanced signals. The Triton's outputs are not balanced though so there is no use for that.

A keyboard has relatively little signal degradation because of it's high output (compared to a mic or guitar), just go with decent quality cables no longer than 3 meters (say 10 ft) and you should be fine.

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:42 am

Hi SanderXpander,

I will have a look at that cable when I am purchasing my audio interface this weekend.

Thanks again for your help it is very much appreciated.

I feel I have learned so much just discussing these things with you.

Many thanks.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:55 pm

It's no problem, keep doing what you're doing, stick around and soon you'll be helping others!

I really do try to give good advice but don't take my (or anyone's) word for gospel either, it's really hard to judge another person's needs and budget over the internet, even disregarding mistakes or bad "hearsay" advice.

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:32 am

Yes I will stick around as this Korg community is quite cool and I have learned so much already. And I will also listen to your advice regarding what sorts of features are important on a good audio interface. I will do a little bit more research and then hopefully buy something this week.

Good luck with all your music too.

Many thanks.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:45 am

I think you should resign yourself to the fact that, assuming you keep doing your music, this will not be the last interface you buy

Get something that will cover your needs and any directly foreseeable future needs, without breaking the bank

Good luck!

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:51 pm

Hi SanderXpander,

Your absolutely right! I have been looking for the "Forever type Audio Interface" on a budget! lol I am better off listening to your advice and buying something that will serve my requirements now and for the foreseeable future with the intention of upgrading it to a more advance audio interface when and If I need too.

Great advice as always!

Tallmaleuk · Post by **Tallmaleuk** » Thu May 01, 2014 11:35 pm

Hi SanderXpander,

I just wanted to let you know that I purchased a Steinberg UR22 USB Audio Interface, a Rode NT1-A Condenser microphone and Logic Pro X today.

Just one problem I do not know how to set everything up. I am assuming that I run the leads from the Korg Triton Extreme's two outputs to the two inputs on the Steinberg UR22 Audio Interface right? I have also connected the Audio Interface to my Apple Imac by USB cable so I know that has been connected properly. In addition to this I have connected my Korg Triton Extreme directly to the Apple Imac by USB cable as I read thats important as well.

What I would like to do is these things:

1) Be able to record sounds or/and backing tracks from my Korg Triton Extreme to my Apple Imac and Logic Pro X.

2) To be able to synchronise my Korg Triton Extreme and Logic Pro X so that when I am recording a sound from the Korg Triton Extreme to Logic Pro X both items are record together automatically without me having to press record on Logic Pro X and then the Start button on the Korg Triton Extreme to play the backing track so that it can be recorded.

Many thanks

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Fri May 02, 2014 5:02 am

First off, congratulations! Logic is a great choice, I forgot (or didn't realize) you were on Mac. It's downpriced enormously since the last two versions but easily competes with packages costing upwards of 500 bucks. And it comes with a ton of sounds, fx and synths!

From your description I'm not sure I understand entirely what you want to do though. Unless you already have a significant number of backingtracks created in your Extreme, I would sequence everything in Logic. There are a few ways to go about it, but it seems you have all connections set up correctly for both midi and audio. You will need to tell Logic to use the Steinberg interface somewhere in the audio preferences. You also need to hook up your speakers to the Steinberg instead of the iMac audio output. You will also need to turn off "local control" in the TEX "global" menu, midi tab (I think). Turn it back on when you want to play the keyboard without running Logic/the computer.

What I normally do is use the midi connection (TEX USB) to play softsynths, in this case Logic will record any notes you play on the softsynth track, and after that it will play back without any help from the TEX.
You can also record audio from the TEX directly to audio tracks (a stereo pair) by creating a stereo audio track and selection the appropriate inputs.

The most complicated (but sometimes useful) way is recording midi from the TEX and then playing it back to the TEX to record the audio. For this you need a midi and an audio track. You would record the midi, make any edits, and then record the audio while playing back the midi track. Afterwards, mute the midi track.

I would personally advise against running multiple midi tracks to the TEX at the same time. It is mostly unnecessary when you use Logic and it takes a whole bunch of setting up which is tedious, requires extra loading and saving, etc.

Can you be more specific with what you're planning to do?