Jenna

Omg! I'm so sorry I didn't see this. This is how it looks. 

Hi everyone. 

I am using focusrite scarlett solo 3rd gen. 

Sound only comes from one side when I use (1+2S), when I switch it to Input 1 (1L), the green bar on the sides has equal levels, indicating that it is picking something up, however when I record there is no audio. When I switch it to Input 2 (2R), it comes up very minimally, however once I start recording the green bar completely disappears and I can't hear anything during playback. Everything else is fine, so I'm wondering if it could possibly be my mic? I'm using the Neewer NW-800. 

I've attached my settings as well. 

On 8/31/2024 at 4:37 PM, 57Gregy said:

So, did you ever get the latest updates and drivers from the Focusrite web site?

Yes, and perhaps that is what it was, because now I can hear audio loud and clear. Thank you!!

17 hours ago, bitflipper said:

^^^ Good advice.

First step when diagnosing audio problems is to make sure Windows can work with the interface. Gotta make Windows happy first, since Sonar only knows what Windows tells it about the interface. My standard sanity check is Windows Media Player. If that works, then address Sonar settings. If it doesn't, go into system settings -> Audio and see if maybe the motherboard's integrated audio is being used, and disable it if necessary.

Start with the Sonar settings in the first page of the Devices section under Audio in the Preferences dialog. Make sure all of your inputs and outputs are listed there, that none of them are disabled (grayed out), and that every input and output is checked. If more than one device is listed, e.g. anything other than your new interface, or if your interface's inputs and outputs are disabled, then you may have another device activated that needs to be disabled before proceeding.

If all this looks good, check the Output destination of your master bus. Make sure it points to the new interface and isn't set to "None" (which Sonar does automatically if the previous destination is not valid).

If there is still no audio, try plugging in headphones to the interface's headphone jack. If you get audio there but not in your main speakers, there may be a routing issue with the driver itself. To fix that, you'll want to bring up the Focusrite control panel (Mix Control). That utility can be daunting, but there should be a preset named "DAW" that'll get you going. Also, and sorry to state the obvious, make sure your speakers are plugged into the correct jacks on the interface. (I don't know how many outputs yours has, but my Focusrite has 8 outputs and it's easy to choose the wrong pair)

One last thing that you can try is switching to a different driver. If you're using WASAPI, switch to ASIO. Or vice versa. If you get sound with WASAPI but not ASIO, then some other device is claiming ownership of the ASIO driver. If so, you can just stick with WASAPI and all will be well.

So I am getting sound in from other places. In Windows Media Player I can hear sound, it's just very low. It seems that Windows is reading the interface, and nothing is grayed out in my settings. 

I did the windows audio test, I had both input and output noise but it's just low. Windows read it as anywhere between 1% and 20% of volume. 

On Cakewalk, when I record with my microphone, I think that's where it's not picking anything up, although when I spoke into the mic on the windows test, it resulted in 15% volume. 

I also don't see anywhere that it says DAW on the control panel

19 hours ago, Glenn Stanton said:

are you not getting sound in? or getting sound out?

step 1 - just using your media player - are you getting output via your IO unit? if not, get that working first.

step 2 - once you have audio out, then plug in your mic or instrument into the IO unit and check to see that the audio is coming into the IO unit and is heard on your monitoring.

 getting it working with CW:

if the IO unit can use the WASAPI, that should be ok to get things working, but if it only works using ASIO, then you need to set the drive mode setting to ASIO. then select the Solo unit input/outputs.

the next step is to set your audio track to the Solo input and turn on echo and arm the recording. at that point with some gain and volume control adjustments, whatever your audio source is, you should be able to hear it. this may require setting your monitoring level as well so you can hear it looping back.

at that point you should be able to record and play back.

On the media player, I can hear sound but it's very quiet. 

Hi everyone! 

A while back I made a post saying I had to get a new audio interface. I just got one - the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen by Focusrite - 

I can't hear anything in Cakewalk when plugging the interface in. I'm assuming I just don't know what settings to put. 

Here are my current settings: 

1 hour ago, John Vere said:

USB mixers that I’ve used didn’t have your issue. They had ways to isolate the inputs and the Computer playback in the headphones. It never looped back. 
 

My Zoom L8 is a mixer. But it’s sort of a steep learning curve due to the fact that it’s 3 things in one. 
I love it but I actually bought it just for live performance. But it’s also a 12x4 interface.  
 

My best experience was with Yamaha mixers. I’m off camping right now but so it will be a few weeks before I’d have time. But the follow up to the above video was going to be about USB interfaces that are mixers.  
 

Sorry about the forget it comment. That was actually not aimed at you but the whole topic was sort of going sideways. It was probably I was in one of my old man grumpy guy moods.  

I guess I have a lot of learning to do regarding the mixers and interfaces and everything haha. The input was very helpful and I'll report back here after doing some searching and video watching. 

And it's okay, I understand. It happens to all of us. 

14 hours ago, John Vere said:

I posted this in your thread you started a while ago. I don’t know what set you off and said I was bugging you or something? That was weird. 
Anyhow it’s the internet and people get stuff wrong and assume things that aren’t reality. 
I was only trying to tell you that I really believed that your solution was to purchase a better audio interface.  I’m happy you figured that out on your own.
 

In all my years on this forum I have only wished to help people who are just starting out. Often people read me wrong because that’s just my bad communication skills at work! 
 

I put 2 months of research into this video. I also highly recommend you Google “Best Audio interfaces” and cruise through some of those as well. There are many and most are worth your time.
 

I think once you have done that you will have a clear view of the choice’s best for you. 

These people are testing dozens of the latest audio interfaces and you will quickly see most come to the same conclusions about many brands.  I myself have owned at least 6 interfaces in the last few years. I have also used a few USB mixers. 

Some of the above replies after doing my research I disagree with those recommendations as example of why you need to look a lot wider than a place like a user group. 

Most important feature for you will be good quality pre amp for your vocal mike.  
Anyhow do a little watching and report back. 

https://youtu.be/YcDGKuBJ2VI?si=NH1QWsZtR-jdMVM-

 

Yes, the reason that happened was because I had been saying that I couldn't just drop everything and quickly get a new interface and so if there was something I could do about it for the time being I was going to try, you had replied telling me to forget it, which was what got me annoyed. I know I need a new one but at that time I didn't even have a job yet so I couldn't. Anyway, the past is the past. 

I'll watch the video. I'm wondering if maybe I should stick with a USB mixer, just a different brand of course because I've never used an interface before and I'm scared to mess up lol. Thank you for the advice. 

On 7/6/2024 at 8:23 PM, msmcleod said:

As @Starship Krupa said, we really need to know more about your workflow and what you need out of the interface.

If you're only ever going to record one or two audio tracks at a time, then something like a Scarlett 2i2 will do.

If you need MIDI or an extra couple of audio inputs / outputs then maybe a Scarlett 6i6 will do (tip - if you ever think you'll need to use a re-amp box or external effects, then you'll need spare inputs & outputs).

If you think you'll ever record live drums, then you'll need something that will take at least 8 inputs - maybe more, depending on how you want to mic it.  The Scarlett 18i8 or 18i20 might be good choices in that case.  Both have 8 analog inputs (plus a stereo SPDIF) and an ADAT in for a further 8 inputs.  The 18i20 also has an ADAT out for 8 additional outputs.

Those are just some of the options from Focusrite - most other manufacturers have similar options (e.g. Tascam, Audient, Presonus etc), and some come with extra features at the lower end of the cost scale - e.g. the Presonus Audiobox USB96 is one of the cheapest interfaces available, with 2 inputs/output (like the Scarlett 2i2),  but it also has MIDI in & out.

If you're used to using a mixer, then the Tascam Model 12 is a great choice (there's also the Model 16 / Model 24, but they are VERY different beasts and in some ways far more limiting with regards to routing - e.g. you can't apply the mixer's EQ / compression / fader levels to what you record on the 16 or 24, but you can on the 12).

Zoom do some good interfaces too, such as the LiveTrak L8 / L20, although I would say that although they are great interfaces, their mixing duties are primarily focused on live use - i.e. you use the mixer for your live mix, and what is recorded isn't affected the mixer's EQ/faders etc.  This is also true of the Tascam Model 16 & 24, and the Soundcraft MTK series.

If you do go for a combined mixer/audio interface, please ensure the following:

• It exposes individual track outputs to the audio interface, not just a stereo output... otherwise you're back to the same issues as you've got with the Alesis.
• It has a decent ASIO driver, and doesn't rely on something like ASIO4ALL.
• You're happy with where the signal to the audio interface is picked up from - i.e. is it only just after the preamps, or can you apply the EQ/Compressor/Fader from the mixer too?
• If you're intending to use condenser microphones, does the mixer have 48V phantom power?

Thank you so much for such a detailed response. 

So what I currently do is I plug the MIDI cable from my piano into my computer, and then I plug my microphone and my headphones in the ALESIS MULTIMIX and use the USB to plug that into my computer as well. Then, I plug the whole ALESIS box in my computer. 

I don't think I'll ever really record live drums. At some point, I may record guitar or ukulele but not really ever at the same time. 

What I want to be able to do is what I'm doing now, plug in some headphones and a mic and sing over the tracks I recorded with MIDI data, to put it simply. 

I've just been feeling a little bit lost on what to choose. I want to be sure that whichever interface I choose will work well. I of course don't like that the ALESIS causes sound to bleed over into every other track, but so far that has been my only real issue. 

Again, thank you for your input. I wonder if you have any other reccomendations based on what I've told you? 

Thank you!!

hi everyone, 

a while back I made posts about my struggles with Cakewalk and it was recommended that a get a new one. I think I have enough money now for somewhat of a decent one, so does anyone have any recommendations? I am currently using Alesis Multimix 4 USB FX. It makes the metronome bleed over in the other tracks, and it picks up on the piano track while I'm recording audio, and in playback they play over each other. 

If anyone knows of any good ones, please drop the link. Thank you!!

16 hours ago, John Vere said:

Forget it. 
 

Dude you have been so aggressive towards me on multiple of my posts, why do you even come on here if you're going to act like that? I didn't say anything bad, just expressed my experience. I can't just get a new interface in a day, so if there is something I can do about it for the time being, I'm going to try. Please get out of here with your negative attitude. 

1 hour ago, David Baay said:

That's a key piece of information, and promising, but I'm not sure what to do with it since there doesn't seem to be any relevant setting on the interface and the only way CbB can record its metronome internally is via a Send from the Metronome bus to an Aux track which isn't something you'd be likely to set up accidentally or forget about when troubleshooting.

To understnad better where the problem lies, I suggest the following:

- Check if it happens with a new project started from the Basic template with no input plugged into the interface.

- Check if it happens with the Alesis interface disconneted/powere down and CbB using onboard sound via WASAPI.

- Set up the Alesis with a free/demo version of another DAW and see if the problem reproduces.

Okay, thank u so much! 

In general, it doesn't really seem like there's much else wrong with it. When I know how to use Cakewalk, everything seems fine. I also didn't always have that metronome issue, I must've done something but all in all, to me it doesn't seem bad. I can record audio and it sounds okay to me. 

On 4/1/2024 at 9:30 PM, David Baay said:

I suspect this is right. And I have to agree with John that any interface that doesn't have native ASIO drivers and 24-bit converters is pretty much a non-starter. If it's not too late, I'd suggest you return the Alesis and get one of the more popular audio interfaces from Focusrite, MOTU, Presonus, Roland, UAD, etc. if your budget it tight, buy used.

I can't return it lol, I've had it for like 4 years 

I have this one because my dad's friend owns a studio and he said that it's effective in what it does. 

Well, if I disengage the button then I won't be able to hear anything. That button needs to be pressed in order to use the interface with the DAW. I do see the waves coming in from the metronome, and I am already using WASAPI

No, I have have nothing plugged in there. I do have the EXT/USB TO MAIN button pressed, though.

14 minutes ago, David Baay said:

How are your recording and monitoring (e.g. microphone and headphones)? And how loud is the metronome in the recorded signal? If it's faint, it may well be due to poor isolation of analog circuits. inside the interface.  Or it could be getting picked up by a mic from acoustic "bleed" in the room.  But if it's loud, it's likely the setup of the interface is routing output to the input internally. Check the manual for a "What U Hear" or "Stereo Mix" input option for recording output from the PC. You don't want that; the input source needs to be Line/Mic In.

The metronome is loud, it's not faint in the background. Where can I check that manual?

41 minutes ago, Max Arwood said:

Is it possible the the metronome was loud enough to bleed into the audio track? What were you recording?

I was recording my voice

Hi guys, 

So bascially when I record an audio track with the metronome, I can hear it during playback. I don't have the option "Metronome during playback" turned on, and I know it's not that because when I turned it on, I then heard two metronomes. I've read in some places it could be a "bleed" but I'm not really sure what that exactly means or how to go about that

I'm using the Alesis Multimix 4 USB FX interface. 

So the exact issue is the Playback I/O. When I changed it to 512, it worked, but when I changed it back to what I originally had it on it didn't, so yay  

Ommggggg I'm so grateful thank you guys!!!!!!!!!!

OMG IT WORKED!!! Thank you guys so so so much! 

I did already have the EXT/USB TO MAIN button pressed, but it didn't actually work until I changed the settings!!!! Thanks!!

I have the output audio selected as speakers because the other option just plays out of my computer speakers. I have headphones plugged into my USB audio device. It was working fine like that before. 

I have tried to plug and disconnect everything and my piano isn't connect right now. The bigger issue is that I can't hear through my headphones what I've already recorded.