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Putting studio together, what else do I need?

negativeions24

negativeions24

Supporting Member
Nov 20, 2010
1,301
1,495
Santa Barbara County, California
#1
I'm putting a studio together and have recording a few songs already but am experiencing ungodly distortion when laying down the bass. I'm running the bass into my Shuttle 6.0, which is going direct in via XLR to the input on my Soundblaster X-Fi. Using Adobe Audition on the computer.
Thinking I need a mixer or some sort of limiter between the Shuttle and the computer, but which to get? Is this the issue?
Also, I'm experiencing the distortion no matter the gain or volume level, regardless of Post or Pre out.
 
#6
You're overloding the input of the soundcard, hence the distorted sound. I've never seen a Genz Benz in person but I suggest you try the following:

Check the back of the Genz Benz and make sure that the D.I Level switch is set to Line, and connect the cable to the soundcard line input.
Use the amp's Tube Preamp Volume knob to adjust the level and check if this get rid of the distortion. If not, then go to the windows audio mixer, input settings and lower the level of the mic and line inputs.

Finally, if you're planning on putting a studio together a soundcard like the one you have won't be the most appropriate tool. You can get by with it, but if you plan on doing serious recording, I would recommend you start looking for a better Audio interface.
 
#7
Might be level causing the distortion. I'm not an electronics guy but I have also seen this result from impedance mismatches (many years ago ) so that could be your issue.

You can try putting a mixer into the circuit if you have one, but I would be spending money on a USB or firewire audio interface instead.
 
#9
The distortion is due to an incompatible mix in audio signal I/O. The XLR output from your head is a BALANCED output, this means a positive signal and an equal negative signal. The receiving unit is supposed to use these two signals to eliminate any sound picked up in the run.

What you are doing with your 1/8" input is putting one signal to left and another to right. This is because the sound card is expecting unbalanced signals (only the normal positive signal).

The dB quoted above are correct, but they only are applied due to the type of signal. The real problem is your incompatible signals.

A mixer will only help if it is outputting in unbalanced stereo (what your soundcard is expecting).

If you are putting together a studio, you should really consider upgrading you soundcard.
 
#10
Sounds like you have nearly the exact setup that I use for my simple studio:
- amp with DI out,
- XLR cables,
- X-fi card
... the main difference in that I have a mixer to break down that XLR into an RCA-to-1/8" cable to the soundcard. Works pretty well, for me!

I don't necessarily recommend it, it's just what I have; an older model of one of these:
Behringer XENYX 802 Mixer: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend
 
#11
EricssonB said:
Sounds like you have nearly the exact setup that I use for my simple studio:
- amp with DI out,
- XLR cables,
- X-fi card
... the main difference in that I have a mixer to break down that XLR into an RCA-to-1/8" cable to the soundcard. Works pretty well, for me!

I don't necessarily recommend it, it's just what I have; an older model of one of these:
Behringer XENYX 802 Mixer: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend
Click to expand...

Do you have latency issues when overdubbing?
 
#12
If your using the post on the DI of the shuttle turn the Volume to about 1 or 1 (7 oclock). You can also use the headphone out 1/4" to the soundcard 1/4". But once again make sure the volume is down.

I used my GB to record on sunday and to tell you the truth you are better off just recording your bass direct and eq'ing/compressing with whatever program you are using.

I use a Delta 66 btw.
 

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