Recording with a microphone to Pro Tools - Mixing Bench

Overview

This article describes recording a microphone with the Apollo x8 interface into Pro Tools.

• 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 a Apollo 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 black knob on the Palmer Monicon 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.

Pro Tools

Creating a Session in Pro Tools

1. Open the Pro Tools application.
2. Select the Create tab.
3. Select the Create from Template option.
4. Select a template - Mix Bench Template
5. Name the session
6. The template should automatically generate the sample-rate and bit-depth, but ensure it is set to Sample Rate: 48kHz and Bit Depth: 24.
7. Click Create
8. In the Save dialog click Desktop button on the left.
9. Name the session.
10. Click Save

Set Up

• In Pro Tools click the Options menu and make sure that Low Latency Monitoring is selected.

Recording the First Track

1. Set the input of track 1 to Mic/Line/Hi-Z 1
2. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 1.
3. Check record levels and headphone levels.
4. Click the Record Enable button in the Transport window.
5. Click the Play button to start recording.
6. Click the Stop button when done
7. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 1 to unarm the track.
8. Click Play to playback the recording.
   • Turn up the large black knob on the Palmer Monicon monitor controller to listen on the speakers.

Setting Up the Headphone Mix

1. On track 1 click on Send A which is labeled Phones
   • A new window with the send fader for track 1 will appear
2. Click the Play button to playback the audio
3. Slowly turn up the track one send fader to set the volume for track 1
   • When making an overdub adjust the track 1 headphone level to the headphone level of the mic

Recording a Second Track While Monitoring Track 1

1. Turn down the large black knob on the Palmer Monicon monitor controller
2. Set the input of track 2 to Mic/Line/Hi-Z 1
3. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 2.
4. Check record levels and headphone levels.
5. Cue Pro Tools to where you want it to start.
6. Click the Record Enable button.
7. Click the Play button to start recording.
8. Click the Stop button when done
9. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 2 to unarm the track.
10. Click Play to playback the recording.
    • Turn up the large black knob on the Palmer Monicon monitor controller listen on the speakers.

Recording Multiple Tracks

• When recording multiple tracks repeat the steps above
• Set headphone levels for each playback track
• Set the input for each record track