Audio interface connection issues - growing very frustrated!

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Level 1

34 points

Audio interface connection issues - growing very frustrated!

Hi there,

I'm having a **** of a time with a very basic recording set-up. I'm using an M-Audio Fast Track with Logic Pro 9. I have a digital stage piano which is connected via USB to my macbook pro, but I am also connecting one of the audio output ports from my piano (a Kawai MP5) into the audio interface device. Basically I want to take advantage of the software instruments, AND some of the built-in piano sounds of my digital piano. My set-up is like this: the audio interface device is connected via USB to my macbook pro. My piano is also connected via USB to the macbook pro. My piano has another connection going into the audio interface device. I want to be able to hear ALL audio via the headphone output on the macbook pro. I have the audio settings within Logic Pro set up such that the audio input device is the Fast Track, and the audio output device is the built-in output of the macbook.

Within Logic Pro, I create a real instrument track, and I have it record enabled, BUT - I cannot hear anything coming through. The signal indicator on the Fast Track lights up whenever I play the piano...but I do not hear anything in my headphones (connected to the macbook's built-in output). If I create a software instrument track, I have no problem hearing anything.

Would somebody please PLEASE tell me how to connect my devices or adjust settings so that I can hear my piano within Logic Pro? Technically, the way I have connected everything should work from the way I see it. I don't know if I have to have a monitor enabled or disabled somewhere in order to hear the piano, but I have been playing around for over an hour now trying to get sound to come through with no success.

Thanks.

Logic Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Oct 2, 2012 1:36 AM

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Answer 1

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Oct 2, 2012 1:57 AM in response to muzikT70

You could always try looking at the manual. 😀 (I hate the smiley icons, I do this to torture myself)

http://help.apple.com/logicpro/mac/9.1.6/en/logicpro/usermanual/index.html#chapt er=44%26section=4%26tasks=true

You do not want universal track mode checked like the first graphic shows. Give a quick read of all the functions I think you will find the right one. Also, make sure an audio track with the input the Kawai is plugged into is record enabled. You can record enable several tracks (MIDI, Audio....etc) using the standard multiselect keyboard command.

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Answer 2

muzikT70 Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 2, 2012 3:25 PM in response to Pancenter

Thanks...after some playing around I got some sound....however, it's only coming out of my right ear in the headphones. After playing around some more....pressing the input format button (bottom left of channel strip control), and changing it through the different types, from stereo, to mono - I was able to get sound only in stereo format - but could only hear the sound coming through the right channel in my headphones. Then, after another 30-45 minutes of playing around I changed the input slot from Input 1, to Input 2 - suddenly I then had sound coming out of both ears...but not in stereo - and this could have something to do with the Fast Track device having only a mono input on it. I've looked tirelessly through the manual here online to find out what I can about the different input types, but can't find anything useful.

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Answer 3

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Oct 2, 2012 4:33 PM in response to muzikT70

You enabled software monitoring... and record enabled an audio track... yes?

Impossible to get stereo from a mono input, it requires two separate inputs, the best you can hope for is mono out of both sides.

I don't know what model of Fast Track you have, there are several.

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Answer 4

muzikT70 Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 2, 2012 5:53 PM in response to Pancenter

Yes, and yes. Both software monitoring and record are enabled. I have just the basic Fast Track MKII USB (not the pro, not the Fast Track II). It has one instrument input (1/4" TRS) and one mic input (XLR). There are separate gain/input level controls, and one master output. The reverse side of the box has a USB port, and one stereo RCA output.

Do you know where I can get better information or more specific help with the Input types on the channel strip? What is the difference between Input 1, and Input 2, and why does one allow a mono input to be heard in both Right and Left channels, and the other does not?

Thanks again 😎 (yea, I know you hate these)

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Answer 5

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Oct 2, 2012 9:07 PM in response to muzikT70

There are Audio track types Mono (one meter) Stereo (two smaller parallel meters) They can be changed using the small circle(s) at the bottom of the channel strip under the meter. It's self explanatory once you click on the circle.

The Inputs reflect your audio Interface. I assume Input 1 is your Mic Input, Input 2 is your guitar input... If you use a stereo track you will probably see Input 1-2 which means both inputs are being monitored... If your guitar is plugged into Input 2 you will only hear one side.

My audio interface has 8 inputs so I if I'm choosing inputs for a stereo strip I see pairs.. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. If I choose inputs for a mono track I see 8 individual inputs. If I have in instrument plugged into channel 1 I will only hear sound if the inputs have 1-2, or 1. If it's a stereo track it will be on one side only.

And you have the pan adjustment.. pan left, pan right, pan center.

Use Logic online help for some quick hints ℹ

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