PROBLEM: I had the same problem as most on this forum. I am now able to record on GB using my analog mixer and its "little weird" UCA200 interface on an Intel-based MacPro laptop running on OS 10.4.10. I emailed Behringer Support (very very helpful for me) because I was having problems with (1) the input between the interface and GB (I could hear the computer's output on the interface just fine), as well as with (2) the mixer's level LED lights, which had never lit since day one. They sent me instructions with basic functions: checking channel signal, PFL and SOLO functions, and while doing those basic checks of functions, I kind of 'bumped' into my solution. (I pasted the Behringer responses at the end of this entry).
SOLUTION: What "fixed" the LEDs invisibility and the input inconnectivity was cranking up the GAIN (or 'trim') knob on the top area of the channel strip of the mixer, right under the XLR-mic and 1/4 jacks. I almost had to crank it all the way up, but it worked: the track level volume in GB registered the signal and recorded the sound input.
PRO TOOLS USERS TIPS. Since I also use an Mbox with Pro Tools on my computer, I exported the document from GB as an m4a file, dragged it to iTunes, and in iTunes I converted it to a wav file, this way I was able to import it on a Pro Tool document to further mix and edit what I originally recorded on GB with the UCA200 interface and the 1204FX mixer. Nevertheless, there is tremendous difference in volume between Mbox and UCA200 recordings. Of course, the wet dream would be to use the UCA200 with the Pro Tool applications also, but we all know this is not going to happen. Nonetheless, if it suits you, you can also connect the MAIN outs of the Xenyx to your Mbox thus increasing your channel inputs from two to four, of course, if you don't mind the four channels coming into the Mbox already mixed and reproducing the same mixed signal on both sides of the stereo field. It is great to have to computer recording setups: (1) the Mbox-Pro Tools chain [2 channels], and (2) the 1204FX-UCA-GB chain [4 mic channels+].
(Keep in mind that when recording with the 1204FX-UCA-GB chain, you can determine if you want GB to route the signal on channel 1, channel 2 or channels 1 and 2 on the Real Instrument window bottom-left, thus creating either mono or stereo tracks. This is interesting to know if you plan on using stereo audio files, for example, if you plan to import a stereo track on Pro Tools, previous recorded on the Xenyx-UCA-GB chain).
Here are the Behringer's responses to (1) the mixer issue (LED lights) and (2) the interface issue:
1. RESPONSE ON XENYX 1204FX
Hi Dionisio and thank you for writing to BEHRINGER technical support! Make sure there are no SOLO buttons engaged.
An overview of input channel functions
Starting from the top of the channel ‘strip’ for channels 1 through 4:
(Note: Many of these controls are covered in greater detail (with examples) in the application guides that follow)
MIC input XLR balanced connection for a mic or similar low impedance signal
LINE IN input ¼” balanced (TRS) or unbalanced (2 –conductor) signal
LO CUT button when this is pressed in, it engages a filter that cuts the low frequency range at 75 Hz and below, to remove stage ‘rumble’ and similar sounds.
EQ HI knob used to boost or cut the high frequency range
EQ MID knob used to boost or cut the middle frequency range
EQ LO knob used to boost or cut the low frequency range
GAIN knob used to control the preamp signal level for the channel
AUX 1 knob controls the level sent from the channel to the AUX 1 bus
AUX 2/FX knob controls the level sent from the channel to the internal FX bus, or it can be sent to a ‘post’ fader AUX send bus
PAN knob used to define where the signal is placed in the stereo ‘field’
MUTE button allows you to silence the signal in the channel
CHANNEL FADER used for adjustment of the channel output level
SOLO button used in conjunction with the MODE button in the MAIN section to select access of the SOLO or PFL functions.
Channel 5-8 inputs:
(These input channels function the same as channels 1-4, except where noted below)
LINE IN 5 ¼” jack will accept either a TRS balanced or TS unbalanced connector for the Left side of a stereo pair of inputs. If the LINE 6 jack isn’t used, the LINE 5 automatically serves as a ‘mono’ signal.
LINE IN 6 ¼” jack will accept either a TRS balanced or TS unbalanced connector for the Right side of a stereo pair of inputs.
LEVEL button allows choice between input levels of +4 (often used with sound systems and recording equipment) or –10 (commonly used with home stereo components).
BAL knob used to define where the channel signal is placed in the stereo ‘field’
The input jacks and controls for channel 7/8 functions the same as channel 5/6.
Testing a channel signal and use of the PFL/SOLO functions
This guide consists of three parts, and is written in a way that you can finish one part, and move on to the next one.
Part 1 – Testing the channel signal
Equipment needed:
UB1204FX-PRO mixer
One microphone cable
One microphone
Two XLR balanced cables
Two powered speakers or one amp and two speakers
Headphones
Connections: The microphone is connected to the MIC input on channel one of the mixer, the XLR cables are used to connect from the mixer MAIN outputs to the speakers, and the headphones are connected to one the headphone jacks on the mixer.
Channel starter settings:
GAIN is set at ‘0’
LO CUT button is set ‘OUT’
EQ knobs set at ‘0’
AUX knobs set at ‘infinity’ (all the way to the left)
PAN knob is set at the ’12 o’clock position’ (center)
MUTE button is set to ‘OUT’
SOLO button is set to ‘OUT’
Channel FADER is set at ‘0’
MAIN mix setting: The MAIN MIX faders are set at ‘infinity’ (all the way down)
The channel input signal test: While speaking into the microphone, gradually move the MAIN MIX faders toward ‘0’ until you can hear the signals through the speakers.
Part 2 – Use of the PFL (Pre-Fader Listen) function
When you are first creating a mix of signals it’s a good practice to check the level of the signals before they are sent to the channel faders, as this is likely to prevent distortion from a signal that is set at too high (or low) of a level at this point.
Starting with the settings from Part 1 above…
1. Turn the CTRL ROOM & PHONES knob all the way to the left.
2. Press in the MAIN MIX button in the SOURCE section.
3. Press in the MODE button (below the CTRL ROOM & PHONES knob) to select ‘LEVEL SET (PFL)’, and the green PFL LED will light up.
4. On channel one, press in the SOLO button next to the channel fader.
5. While speaking into the microphone, use the GAIN knob on the channel to adjust the level so that the louder signal passages are registered at (or slightly above) ‘0’ in the left row of level LEDs.
6. You can now use the CTRL R & PHONES knob to adjust the signal level that you will hear through the headphones.
7. During the process, the channel 1 fader will not affect the signal level that is sent to the level LEDs or to the headphones.
Part 3 – Use of the SOLO function
With this process you can ‘audition’ the level of any channel (or combination of channels) as the signal is sent from the channel to the MAIN mix buss.
Starting with the settings as shown in Part 2 above…
1. Set the MODE button to the ‘OUT’ position.
2. The channel 1 fader should be in the ‘infinity’ position (all the way down).
3. The MAIN MIX faders should be set all the way down.
4. The large red MAIN SOLO LED will be lit.
5. As you speak into the mic and move the channel 1 fader toward the ‘0’ position, you will see more of the level LEDs light up.
6. You can move the MAIN MIX faders up to hear the signals through the speakers.
7. You can also listen through the headphones if you want, by using the CTRL ROOM & PHONES knob to adjust the listening level.
Note: In these examples a single input channel was used with a microphone, but the tests would work equally well with a stereo source (like a CD player, instrument, etc…) connected to two input channels. If you use a stereo source, you will want to use the PAN controls to send one channel to the Left side and one to the Right side of the stereo field.
Use of the internal FX on the MAIN mix
Use of internal FX on the UB1204FX-PRO
Here are the steps to follow to send signals from the input channels to the internal FX, and then to the MAIN outputs:
1. The MAIN MIX/ALT 3-4 switch (above the Main mix LED’s) needs to be in the ‘UP’ position (to send FX to the Main mix).
2. Use the AUX 2/FX knob on each input channel to determine how much of the channel signal is to be sent to the AUX 2/FX buss.
3. The AUX SENDS 2/FX knob is used to control the combined level of all the input channel signals sent to the AUX 2/FX buss.
4. Adjust the amount of FX applied to the mix by use of the STEREO AUX RETURNS 2/FX knob.
2. RESPONSE ON UCA200 USB AUDIO CODEC INTERFACE
Hi Dionisio and thank you for writing to BEHRINGER technical support! The XENYX mixer is an all-analog mixer. It comes with an external 2in/2out USB interface called the UCA200.
Connect from the RCA CD/TAPE outputs of the XENYX mixer, into the RCA inputs of the UCA200. The RCA output from the UCA200 will come back into the RCA CD/TAPE input of the XENYX mixer. You will need to select the CD/TAPE to CTRL ROOM button so that the soundcard's signal will be routed away from the main mix to the CTRL ROOM output. You will want to connect the control room outputs to your power amp or powered speakers and control your monitoring level via the CTRL ROOM knob. You will be able to monitor through the speakers or the headphones.
First go to your system preferences > sound > input > select USB Audio CODEC. Output > select USB Audio CODEC.
Second, go to applications > utilities > audio midi setup > audio devices > default input > select USB Audio CODEC. Default output: > select USB Audio CODEC. System output: > select USB Audio CODEC. Properties for: > select USB Audio CODEC.
In addition, make sure to select 44100.0 Hz and 2ch-16bit for the audio input and audio output
The UCA202 uses core audio driver on a Mac. This means that it doesn't need a driver to be installed when used with Mac OS X. The UCA202 doesn't have a driver of it's own at all.
