Having trouble recording guitar input.

Question

Level 1

0 points

Having trouble recording guitar input.

I decided to try recording my guitar through the line-in on my iMac w/10.5.8. Used a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Nothing. Changed preference settings in Audio/Midi. Nothing. Changed settings in Apple Preferences Sound. Nothing.

Bought an M-Audio Fast Track USB adapter. Both the iMac and GB '09 see the M-Audio and have been selected. Still nothing.

And yes I did select acoustic guitar for the track, and the input source is set to stereo M-Audio, also tried Mono 1.

And ideas as to what I am missing?

Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 4 Gig of ram.

Posted on May 18, 2010 11:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

gjmnz

Level 3

858 points

May 18, 2010 11:58 AM in response to new_man

Are you getting a wave form?

Also, have you tried Mono 2 on the Fast Track? Of the two channel options, one is dedicated to the mic input and the other to the guitar (if I remember correctly). You have to choose the correct one as it will not record guitar on both channels ( again... if i remember correctly).

I take it you have the FT hooked up via USB... right?

Reply

Answer 2

new_man Author

Level 1

0 points

May 18, 2010 12:15 PM in response to gjmnz

Hmm. Tried Mono 2 and was able to record the guitar. But still not satisfied. The guitar is an acoustic with a passive pick up. The FT gain is at three quarters before it clips, the mixer gain is maxed. Recording level is greyed out, and I don't see in any level control at the bottom of the screen.

Reply

Answer 3

gjmnz

Level 3

858 points

May 18, 2010 12:48 PM in response to new_man

Which parts are you not satisfied with? The Quality of the recording ie the guitar sounds weak, metalic, distant etc or the lack of controls available to tweak the sound? or overall volume.

Passive pickups can benefit from an Active DI Box to boost the signal.

I ditched my Fast Track pretty well straight away and bought a better quality FW interface with decent converters because of a similar experience.

Having said that, GB is a bit funny when it comes to handling Audio Interfaces and generating waveforms. I can use the same Audio interfaces in say Ableton Live and get a different and better result.

Reply

Answer 4

new_man Author

Level 1

0 points

May 18, 2010 1:09 PM in response to gjmnz

Thanks.
It works, just not enough gain. I can just turn everything else down. but no headroom for the guitar with it's gain cranked.

That said, I will try PRO Tools Essentials which can with the interface and see if that makes a difference.

God Bless.
Irvin.

Reply

Answer 5

gjmnz

Level 3

858 points

May 18, 2010 1:31 PM in response to new_man

new_man wrote:

That said, I will try PRO Tools Essentials which can with the interface and see if that makes a difference.

God Bless.
Irvin.

If you don't mind, could you report back your finding, would be good to know the results.

Cheers.

Reply