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Simple recording bass and drum track to computer

Todd mason

Todd mason

May 3, 2016
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#1
I practice with my computer (Online drum tracks, Spotify, etc) and bass into a small mixer and want to be able to record this back to computer. I’m on Mac OSX high Sierra. What would the cheapest and easiest method to accomplish this? I have two mixers, an alto zmx52 and a behringer xenyx 1204 mixer, neither of which is a usb mixer. I presume I’d need some sort of usb interface but have no idea what to get and how to record to my computer. Any help? Thanks!
 
#2
I have one of these Scarlett Solo interfaces, Scarlett | Focusrite

Not had a problem, and not heard anything bad.

The 2i2 has 2 XLR inputs, so assuming you'd be able to send in bass and drums on 2 channels too, rather than one combined one from your mixer(s) - tho not something I've dabbled with myself.

I just do bass and vocals into the Scarlett Solo, though the instrument input does have a toggle for line level input (I believe).
 
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#4
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#5
Are you worried/thinking about the software on your mac, and what channels you'd see come in?

I think any "interface"'s job is to accept X inputs, and send them as individual channels to your mac over USB.

If you only use one channel/input on the interface, you then wouldn't be able to process that as separate channels in any software - just to make sure that's clear.
 
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#6
Robsco said:
Are you worried/thinking about the software on your mac, and what channels you'd see come in?

I think any "interface"'s job is to accept X inputs, and send them as individual channels to your mac over USB.

If you only use one channel/input on the interface, you then wouldn't be able to process that as separate channels in any software - just to make sure that's clear.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yes I get what you mean. My main interest is just mixing on the board and recording that as is on my computer, not really for mixing or processing after recording.
 
#7
It's not as easy as it seems. You don't want to record two external sources into one computer/interface. You want to record an internal source (Spotify or a drum program) AND an external source to one DAW running on the same computer. So you need to route the internal signal as an input to your DAW. The solutions that are mentioned so far don't offer this.
You need a driver loopback. Only few interfaces offer this. Among them are the new Motu interfaces M2 and M4.
The UAD interfaces allow this too with virtual channels.
 
#8
DirkP said:
It's not as easy as it seems. You don't want to record two external sources into one computer/interface. You want to record an internal source (Spotify or a drum program) AND an external source to one DAW running on the same computer. So you need to route the internal signal as an input to your DAW. The solutions that are mentioned so far don't offer this.
You need a driver loopback. Only few interfaces offer this. Among them are the new Motu interfaces M2 and M4.
The UAD interfaces allow this too with virtual channels.
Click to expand...

DirkP is correct - however you could still use a cheapie interface by feeding a separate audio source (like your phone or tablet) going into your mixer. Or you could copy the audio into your DAW first, then record the tracks.
 
#9
All you need is a 2 channel Interface. Routing an Internal drum track or spotify to one track as you record on another though the interface is possible virtually and externally. But it's easier to just paste the audio files you play along to Into the daw, or play them from your phone and go into one of the preamp channels alongside your bass
 
#10
DeepFriedBass said:
All you need is a 2 channel Interface. Routing an Internal drum track or spotify to one track as you record on another though the interface is possible virtually and externally.
Click to expand...
I disagree. It is not possible with most ordinary Interfaces like the Focusrites. There is a reason that Motu and UAD advertise it as a such. Most lower priced Interfaces don't offer virtual mixers or routing software.
 
#11
DirkP said:
I disagree. It is not possible with most ordinary Interfaces like the Focusrites. There is a reason that Motu and UAD advertise it as a such. Most lower priced Interfaces don't offer virtual mixers or routing software.
Click to expand...

That's why I recommend simply playing audio off of a phone through a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter into a di box into a pre channel. No need for anything fancy, no need for a mixer.

However, BEST OPTION - why not just get a Motu M2 interface for the same price as the focusrite which has loop back? Loop back does exactly what you want to do. With this $170 interface, its simple.
 
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