Is there a way to record an instrument while making adjustments (i.e. tape delay, reverb, etc), so that the adjustments to the instrument can be heard in the recording? I am running Logic Express 8 if that helps. Thanks in advance
Yes, you have to create a new channel strip input object in the environment and put effects to the inserts. This way, the incoming audio will be first processed and then recorded.
Look in the Environment section of the manual for further details.
I realize we all have ways we like to work in the studio but i'm just wondering what value changing effects while recording would have. Since the effects are all plug ins you can manipulate them all you want after recording the part and you can copy the same part on several tracks and add different effects to each track. I don't mean to sound like i'm critizing your method friend, what works for you works for you, I'm just trying to get MY head around the advantage working that way would give. Almost sounds like something you would use main stage for.
Thanks for the answer but I'm still a little stumped. Do I then just record the instrument, or somehow record the new object?
And after skimming through the manual, I am assuming that you cable the instrument and the new object together.. But i am of the opinion that assuming sometimes can lead to one's own confusion.
No man, you just create a new channel strip input object. That's all. No need to cable it. Once created, this object represents your physical input and if you insert effects into this channel strip in the Environment, it works as if you have hardware effects on your audio signal path BEFORE recording.
Yeah, one thing, to do that, first choose "Mixer" layer in the menu in the top left corner of Environment window.
After creating this new Input object, you can select the exact input on the left of the Environment window. If you can't see anything, just click on the small triangle to the left of "Input 1". This toggles object's options menu. Here you can choose your audio interface and its physical input, where you wired up your musical instrument and which you are planning to record.
You can also rename the object (double click the "Input 1" on the left side of the window) and save the project as a template for further use.
In My words ... to answer your question, YES you record the instrument directly into Logic You can monitor any effect you decide to add to it while playing and recording BUTTTTTTTT that effect isn't recorded, only the virgin single of the instrument or voice your recording. This is actually great because you can change the plug-in effect or virtual amp all you want because it's not recorded, only the virgin input is recorded. When the input plays back it actually plays THROUGH the added plug in so you can change the effect 1000 times until you get just what you're looking for. EXAMPLE - If you record a guitar using a BOSS distortion peddle your recorded sound ALWAYS includes that Boss distortion peddle, you can't get rid of it. By plugging your guitar directly into your input device or computer and by using the plug in "vitrual" distortion peddle you can change the peddle AFTER you record 1000 times if you want until it's exactly what you were looking for because all that's actually recorded is the clean guitar. Your mixdown options become vitrually without limits.
However, it's not that easy using a powerbook G4. Sometimes you really must imprint an effect into recording. Otherwise, computer will stall as it cannot handle the cpu-hungry plug-ins working in realtime.
I didn't know that about the powerbook. My current Macs are new and the iMac I record with has 4 GB of ram so I don't think much about CPU usage. Good to know next time I try to give advice, I'll see what system is being run before i jump to conclusions and give advice that may not work.
