I got the M-Audio connected!!

[ELSOL102]

This is me again I finally managed to get the software installed and it appears to be working!!!! Yeah!!! Now I have to figure out how to use it. I am reading the instructions on how to set things on the software for the interface...like setting gain, I think I need to mute the Direct Monitor so I don't end up monitoring and sending the signal to the computer twice, is that correct? So any latency doesn't confuse me but then 2 signals don't get sent to the computer? The other software is Ableton Live Lite...now do I use this software to do things to the file after I have recorded?
The Tascam had a connection for midi...the M-Audio that I have does not...so I cannot connect my keyboard...it doesn't have a line out. I will be using a Shure SM58 to record my voice.
If I want to play my guitar...and I record that...say on channel one. Then I want to record my voice on channel 2...and I don't do it at the same time...it is unclear to me how to start a recording...how to create a file and put int in a directory...how to go back and record on track 2...will I be using Live Lite5 to record other tracks over the music? I don't see any explanations. I am thrilled that I managed to finally get the drivers installed. I'd love to get something simple recorded to email to my dad for xmas!!

[brandondrury]

All of the issues that you mentioned here are propriertary to this specific soundcard and should be addressed in the manual. I couldn't imagine that these things would be left out, so make sure you double check the manual.

Here's the way I would expect the soundcard's direct monitoring to work.
Signal enters soundcard (we'll say it's a vocal track). That signal is converted to digital and send to the computer. If the direct monitoring button on the soundcard is engaged, the signal is also sent to a headphone mix knob. This split occurs before the signal is converted to digital.

Also coming into the headphone mix knob is the stereo out of your recording software. If you are recording your first track with no click, than this will be empty. If you already have an acoustic guitar on track #1, this will be the way that you hear it. The headphone mix knob should allow you to adjust how much pre-precorded track volume vs the volumeof whatever you are recording now.

If I want to play my guitar...and I record that...say on channel one. Then I want to record my voice on channel 2...and I don't do it at the same time...it is unclear to me how to start a recording...

I'm not sure about Ableton. I've never used it. I always recommend Cubase because I love it and I can help much more.

The basic concept of recording with overdubbing (where seperate tracks are recorded at seperate times) is to recording your first track through channel 1 of the soundcard onto track #1 in your recording software. We'll say this is an acoustic guitar. You'll need to arm the track (usually a red button) and hit the record button. This should be all it takes to start recording your acoustic guitar.

Now, let's say you want to record vocals.

I would unplug the acoustic guitar for channel #1 of the soundcard. I would then plug in the microphone into channel #1. Next, create a new track (track #2) in your recording softare, unarm track #1 in the recording software, arm track #2, and hit record.

Brandon

[ELSOL102]

Thanks I don't know what "unarm track 1" means...the instructions I have are vague...or separate..instr for M-Audio in a book, then I have to go read file in computer to read about the software and when I say I don't know how to use the software, I mean I don' t even know when I am supposed to open it, because I have the M-Audio box on the screen with these dials to start with...so when do I open the software...I did install cubase on my system then I returned the equipment...maybe I can stil use cubase but maybe not depending on the software. I also have Audacity, and a friend of mine has Cool Edit Pro and he likes that. I spent the whole night just getting the M-Audio installed, reading about it and trying to figure it out. I don't like the fact that Ableton Live Lite 5 doesnt let you use it on more than one computer. Since I don't have a laptop that means I can only record at home.

[brandondrury]

I don't like the fact that Ableton Live Lite 5 doesnt let you use it on more than one computer

This is quite common. I dont' really know of any non-dongle system that allows you to use their product on more than one computer. A lot of the high end software uses a little thing that resembles a flash drive that plugs in you USB card to function.

You'll have to figure out if Cubase is working or not.

It sounds like you have spent quite a bit of time playing with just the soundcard. Unfortunately, the soundcard doesn't do a whole lot without a program controlling it. I'm not sure what you were really doing with it, but maybe your tinkering did help.

Sometimes I have to re-install my entire system when I build a new computer or whatever. Soundcard installation is about 20 seconds. I plug it in, install the drivers, and I'm done. So, unless you have problems, the sound card installation is quite simple.

The software setting up takes a little more time. I have to make sure that the soundcard is the default soundcard in Windows (done in the "sound and audio" portion of the Windows XP control panel).

Then you have to tell your recording program to use the newly installed soundcard (which is different for every program).

I don't know what "unarm track 1" means...

This is something that won't make sense until you fire up your recording software.

Brandon