Diana Chahine

Yes. I'm only using a 1/4 to XLR cable from the keyboard to the AI. I did try with a different 1/4 to XLXR cable and had to same trouble. I also connected my 1/4 cable to headphones to hear what it sounds likes directly and the static comes through there as well. So that definitely seems now like its a keyboard thing... ? I'm using the Yamaha DG650. Currently I am connecting directly from the keyboard to the AI with a 1/4 TRS to XLR, but I just figured that the 1/4 headphone cable also produces that same static. There's no static when the keyboard has nothing plugged in though, so I'm very confused.

I just checked, and the input level is all the way down on the 2nd input. Ughh I wish that was the solution!

Yea, it doesn't make a difference whether it's set to line or inst, the static is still there. Oh, I'm sure I have plugged/unplugged while the phantom power is on before... does that create irreversible damage??

Thank you for that! I did that (and also uninstalled some Windows updates), and I don't have those flashing lights anymore, so that problem is solved. HOWEVER, I now have this static sound when my Keyboard XLR is plugged in. I don't even have to be using it for there to be that static, however that only happens with the Direct Monitor is on. In contrast, when I plug in my mic's XLR to the same channel, with the exact same levels of gain, and basically every setting the exact same, there's no static whatsoever, it's crystal clear... so is the the keyboard XLR the culprit? It's weird because just a week ago everything was completely fine, so I'm not sure what would have changed.

I've had this same setup for the past year and have never had any problems with it until today: Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett (3rd gen) 2i2 Cakewalk Rode USB Mic - connected to AI with XLR Yamaha Keyboard - connected to AI with XLR Usually I plug in the XLR to the keyboard, the AI into the laptop, and I can start recording right away, however tonight the light kept flashing red-yellow-green, there was no audio output on Cakewalk, and there was a LOT of static. I updated Focusrite, restarted my computer, unplugged and plugged everything in, and the same thing happened. I tested out the Mic, and everything operated perfectly fine on that. Does that mean the issue is solely with the keyboard's XLR cord or is there some setting I need to change?

I didn't think it would be! Thanks to everyone for your patience in dealing with this thread! I'll keep y'all updated on how things work out when I get the new one!

No, I'm in Canada. Apparently, it seems that the issue is a manufacturing defect... I heard back from the Amazon tech where I ordered it from and they'll be sending me a replacement so hopefully that will work out better!

When everything is set to stereo that's when the audio sounds bad, although to clarify, the echo is from the imported audio track, not on my recorded track...

I did try listening to a youtube video through the AI as the output, and the sound came out very garbled for some reason. As if someone was running water over the audio... Does that mean there's a potential problem with the interface itself?? Just as an update... - I've factory reset my laptop - I've re-downloaded Cakewalk and the ASIO driver for my AI - I've watched the Creative Sauce videos on how to set up Cakewalk and the AI. And I'm still having the same problems. The audio track that was inputted sounds echo-y unless either the left fader or the right fader it muted on the hardware console, and the USB/Direct knob still isn't working correctly. I've also encountered a new problem... if I have one track and record on that, I can hear my voice on playback, but as soon as I add in another track (without changing anything else) and record, I can't hear my voice on playback anymore, just static.

You are a GENIUS!! Turns out if I mute either the left fader or the right fader then it sounds perfectly fine!! THANK YOU!! I'll try to explain as best I can what's going on with the Direct/USB Knob: - Outside of Cakewalk, I do hear the mic when the knob is turned towards Direct, however the loudest volume of the mic isn't when the knob is all the way to the Direct end - but about 80% there. - Within Cakewalk, (and when I'm live recording while listening to a track output), both tracks will increase in volume when turned to the Direct end. But, as I mentioned above, the loudest sound happens when the knob is turned about 80% to the Direct end. There's no sound AT ALL when the knob is actually turned all the way to the Direct end). When turning the knob toward the USB end, both tracks decrease in volume, and I can't hear either the mic or the track. So, in short, the blend knob doesn't actually increase/decrease each track independently, but rather increases both or decreases both.

And as I have mentioned a few times as well, even during a LIVE input through the audio interface, turning the blend track does NOT blend the live mic input with the audio output. Turning the blend knob to the right or left only increases the volume of both tracks or decreases the volume of both tracks.

Yes, I can hear the mic without cakewalk. Interesting!! But, I never had a problem with recording input. Just the output sounds bad, and the USB/Direct knob wasn't blending...?

Wouldn't the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 be comparable to what I have since it has 2 inputs...?

Yea, I have no idea what's going on! Thank you for trying though! I bought the interface online, but I think I can return it. I've tried contacting M-Audio's customer service, but so far no response from them, although I did just find out that there's an M-Audio forum, so I'll try there as a last resort. I've seen that the reviews for the Focusrite interfaces are much better, would that be something that works better for me, you think? There' doesn't seem to be any driver incompatibilities etc...

Like I said, with every track I import, the echo is there, unless I change the Interleave to Mono. All of these tracks are actually in Stereo, but even when I've opened new projects, with an empty template, basic template etc. the sound doesn't change unless I change it on the Console view to Interleave: Mono. In regards to the USB/Direct knob: Even while I'm recording it still only acts as a volume knob. I've even set my gain at 9/10 giving my mic a greater input but that hasn't changed anything either.

I did watch your video, thanks for doing that! That is how it's all set up though... But in terms of the Stereo vs. Mono: The imported track IS stereo, but for some reason only plays with good quality when put into Interleave Mono. When it's in Stereo it becomes metallic-y and echo-y. I've tried many tracks (which I know for a fact ARE stereo tracks), but it only plays back right when put into Interleave Mono.

Here is my console view, so I'm not sure if there's anything in there that needs changing? I've also found that when both recording, and on playback, that the sound will just disappear at random times. Nothing will be changed, and there won't be an audio engine dropout or anything, (the track will keep "playing", but it will all go silent...

Even while I'm recording it only acts as a volume knob. I've even set my gain at a 9/10 giving my mic a greater input but that hasn't changed anything either. I used the basic template.

I fixed one problem!! By changing the Interleave-Stereo to Interleave-Mono it plays the track normally! No more metallic or echo sounds!! Now I just gotta figure out the USB/Direct knob issue!

I just started this thread on Sunday, so definitely not since November! I'd still like to figure this out ASAP though! I did answer your question, maybe you didn't see my response to it? Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean by "faders of each track". I've been going into the Console and adjusting the volume of both tracks, but that hasn't made a difference. Is that what that is? And there's definitely no effects. I've bypassed them all too, to be sure.

The possibility of phasing does make sense! But the same thing occurs when I set the tracks to go to the same destination (such as the AI as the output).

In short, I still have 2 problems: 1. Metallic sounding imported tracks 2. USB/Direct knob blending not working In regards to # 1, Yes, all imported music tracks sound fine when played outside of Cakewalk (or within Cakewalk on a different driver than ASIO). However, with ASIO set as the driver, imported tracks sound metallic when sent to the AI output AND Master output. The recorded track from the AI input sounds fine regardless of what output device I set it to. And like I said, audio sounds fine when the output is my laptop speakers (although I only have the option of setting my laptop speakers as the output with a WASAPI driver (not the ASIO), and my AI only works properly with the ASIO driver. In regards to #2, the USB/Direct knob seems to act purely as a volume knob right now. It doesn’t blend the two tracks together whatsoever. It either decreases the volume of both when turning it one way, or increases the volume of both by turning it in the opposite direction. And this is the same regardless of what output I have both tracks set to. I'm listening via headphones through the headphone output on the AI and yes, nothing is heard when the Master is muted. I’m really wondering if I should just return this M-Audio interface and get the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface instead, since I’ve seen that there aren’t as many problems with its drivers…

Haha I appreciate your help!! The track sounds fine in every other player and sounds fine when the output is set to my laptop speakers (when on the WASAPI shared driver). All tracks I import sound metallic, even though they're all normal sounding otherwise.

I have made both tracks run through the master bus output and that hasn't changed anything either. Track 1 is the track that I am recording with my mic/AI, and that output sounds just fine. Track 2 is an audio track that's been imported (ex. instrumental), with its output sounding metallic/echo-y. Regardless of what output I set both of these, I end up in the same scenario. Either both tracks increasing in volume when the USB/Direct knob is turned one way, or both tracks decreasing in volume when turned the other way.