Recording with a Microphone to Adobe Audition - Mixing Bench

Overview

This article describes recording a microphone with the Apollo x8 interface into Adobe Audition.

• You will need to get a microphone with an XLR connector from Media Loan.
• You will also need an XLR mic cable

Audio Interface

The Mixing Benches have an Apollo x8 audio interface. The Audio Interface - Mixing Bench article has additional information about the Apollo x8.

• On the front there are two HI-Z inputs inputs (labelled HI-Z 1 and HI-Z 2)
  • Theses are for low level signal like electric guitars.  Only use mono 1/4 cables.
• There are 4 XLR mic inputs on the back of the interface.
  • There is a panel with 4 XLR jacks below the interface.
  • These are connected to the 4 mic inputs.
  • Microphones can be connected to these inputs using XLR cables (not included in the room).
  • Each input has:
    • Trim control knob for setting input levels
    • Pad for reducing input levels
    • 48V Phantom Power for powering condenser microphones
    • Low cut filter.

Recording

Setting Mic Levels

1. Connect the microphone to Mic In1 on the XLR panel
2. Set the Input for channel 1 of the Apollo x8
   • Press the Preamp knob to toggle until the 1 appears on the LCD panel
   • Press the Input the button until Mic appears on the LCD panel
3. If it is a condenser mic turn on the phantom power
   • Press the +48V button to turn on or off the phantom power
4. Talk into to the mic
5. Adjust the Preamp knob while looking at Input 1 meter on the Apollo x8
6. Set the levels so that the signal is a little bit into the yellow.

Monitoring

• Turn down the silver knob on the Mackie Big Knob monitor controller
• Connect the headphones to the headphone jack (HP 1) on the Apollo x8
• While talking into the mic turn up the HP 1 knob until you hear the mic in the headphones.

Audition

Create a New Multitrack Session

1. Open Audition from the dock
2. If prompted sign to the Creative Cloud Desktop app with your Evergreen email and password.
   • Adobe Creative Cloud Sign In
3. Go to File > New > Multitrack Session...
4. In the New Multitrack Session window set the following settings
   • Session Name: use a meaningful name.
   • Folder Location: Click Browse and select your folder on your Desktop.
   • Template : None
   • Sample Rate: 48000
   • Bit Depth : 24
   • Master: Stereo
   • Click OK

Recording

1. Go to the Mixer window
2. On Track One click on Default Stereo Input and select Mono > Mic/Line/Hi-Z 1
3. On Track One click the R button (record)
4. Put on the headphones
5. Talk into the microphone and adjust the Preamp knob on the Apollo x8 while looking at the meters on the Apollo x8 and in Audition
   • Try to get the signal in the yellow but not in the red.
6. Click the Record button (Red dot) at the bottom to start recording.
7. Hit the Stop button to stop recording.

Playback

• Take off the headphones.
• Now you can turn up the Mackie Big Knob monitor controller knob to listen with the speakers.

Setting Up the Headphone Mix

1. Go to the Mixer window
2. On the Mix fader on the far right click on Default Output
3. Select Stereo > Universal Audio Thunderbolt: MON L
   • This will send the mix output to the headphone mix on the Apollo x8
   • Audio will no longer go to the speakers

Recording a Second Track While Monitoring Track 1

1. Go to the Mixer window
2. On Track Two click on Default Stereo Input and select Mono > Mic/Line/Hi-Z 1
3. On Track One click the R button (record)
4. Put on the headphones
5. Talk into the microphone and adjust the Preamp knob on the Apollo x8 while looking at the meters on the Apollo x8 and in Audition
   • Try to get the signal in the yellow but not in the red.
6. Press the Play button
7. Adjust the Track One fader as needed for the headphone levels.
8. Press the Stop button
9. Press the Home key on the keyboard to return to the beginning.
   • Or cue the playhead to the desired location.
10. Click the Record button (Red dot) at the bottom to start recording.
11. Hit the Stop button to stop recording.

Playback

1. Take off the headphones.
2. On the Mix fader on the far right click on Universal Audio Thunderbolt: MON L
3. Select Stereo > Default Output
4. Now you can turn up the Mackie Big Knob monitor controller knob to listen with the speakers.

Editing and Exporting

• After recording you can edit the audio.
• You will need to export the Multitrack Session to a mono or stereo wav file when you are done
• Read Multitrack Editor - Audition for more details