Need help with hookup on computer

[dnic]

Please anyone. I've the 2.0 whatever Pod the first one. Is there a way to hook it up to my computer so I can use the Audacity recording program? I have looked at the guitar port from line-6 but I already have this Pod.

Thanks

d

[cknowles]

Hi Dane,
Can you give me a bit more info.
I use a USB interface from my DigiTech RP250 to connect into my PC. Audacity takes care of the rest.

Does your POD have USB? Or are you trying to use the Line out?

Chris

[dnic]

Chris, that's just it the Pod has no USB, it does have 1/4" outs, is there another way or an inexpensive j box that would make it happen?

d

[cknowles]

Your 1/4 outs can go into the microphone input on your computer. This solution is a bit noisy, but a good place to start. You just need an adapter plug from 1/4 to 1/8".

There are several USB input devices on the market which can convert your analog signal to allow audacity to record.

I also use an old tascam porta studio that I can connect to the line in on my laptop. But then I do most of the editing on the porta studio.

Chris

[dnic]

Thanks Chris, I never noticed the 1/8" jacks even though they are next to the usb inputs.

One looks like it is labeled for a mic.
Guess I'll try that.

d

[cknowles]

Quite often you will have a stereo mic input, or even direct line in. For some reason, computer manufacturers don't draw a lot of attention to this useful interface!

Chris

[stratpurist]

I use a behringer USB adapter for bringing analog to my PC. Started out using it to convert vinyl but now I use it for other analog audio signals. very handy device for only $30.

[cknowles]

Great little gizmo that!

Chris

[dnic]

I got the 1/8" adapter and it works. Audacity has some things I need to learn, like how to listen and play to the previous track with outre-recording it. And then the other problem is I need to learn how to play.

d

[cknowles]

Ya it's weird the way the default settings are configured.
I'll look it up when I'm home this afternoon and see if I can remember where's that is set.

Chris

[dnic]

I ended up turning down the previous track so it doesn't rerecord so loud but that still won't leave any real mixing ability.

Thanks for any help you may provide.

d

[cknowles]

Ok, under the Edit menu, select Preferences.
The first tab is Audio I/O. Click on "Play other tracks while recording new one"

What I normally do is set the input volume as high as it will go without clipping.

To record a second track just click the record button and a new track is automatically created, hopefully while playing back the first track.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[cknowles]

I did some digging and remembered that I had used the Audacity tutorials to get started.

Check this out, it gets you started without requiring a whole lot of reading first!

audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorials.html

Chris

[dnic]

Thanks Chris, I had found that in the audio I/O. But even with the track volume low and the new track set high when I bring up the volume on the new track the old track is fairly loud in the back ground. So if I wanted to remove the original track from the mix it would still be in there on the newer track. Well it will obviously get worse track by track as you add more stuff. So there should be a way to listen to old track without re-recording it. Maybe this is as good as it gets with free programs.

d

[GuitarAttack Forum]

Dane -- You might consider this:

www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php

I started with a free version of ProTools. Never worked right. Then I started a search for free software. I scored a version of Cubase at MusikMesse in Frankfurt, then it timed out. Finally broke down and bought Sonar 2...and now I'm up to Sonar 8.

As a former big-time cassette recording guy, I do like computer recording. You might also consider Cakewalk's less expensive software as an entry point. I really like it for PCs.

Good luck,
John