Difference between revisions of "Recording with a microphone to Pro Tools - Mixing Bench"

Revision as of 15:01, 26 June 2023

1. Open the Pro Tools application
2. Select the Create tab.
3. Select the Create from Template option and name your Session
4. Select a template - SFX - Lab
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

Overview

This article describes recording a microphone with the MOTU 828 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 MOTU 828 audio interface. The Audio Interface - Mixing Bench article has additional information about the MOTU 828.

• There are two XLR/1/4" mic/instrument inputs on the front.
  • Microphones can be connected to theses inputs with XLR cables.
  • Guitars can be connected with 1/4" cables.
  • Each input has:
    • Trim control
      • Rotate the knob to adjust levels
    • Pad for reducing input levels
      • Press the Trim knob to turn on or off the pad
    • Phantom Power
      • Press and hold the Trim knob to turn on or off the phantom power

Recording

Setting Mic Levels

1. Connect the microphone to Mic/Instrument 1 on the MOTU 828
2. If it is a condenser mic turn on the phantom power.
   • Press and hold the Trim knob to turn on or off the phantom power
3. Talk into to the mic
4. Adjust the trim knob while looking at MIC 1 meter on the right of the MOTU 828
5. Set the levels so that the signal is a little bit into the orange.

Monitoring

• Turn down the silver knob on the Mackie Big Knob volume box
• Connect the headphones to the headphone jack on the MOTU 828

Creating a Session in Pro Tools

Recording

1. Go to the Mixer window
2. On Channel One click on Default Stereo Input and select Mono > Mic Instrument 1
3. On Channel One click the R button (record)
4. On Channel One click the I button.
   • This allows you to monitor the input.
5. Put on the headphones
6. Talk into the microphone and adjust the Trim knob on the MOTU 828 while looking at the meter in Audition
   • Try to get the signal in the yellow but not in the red.
7. Click the Record button (Red dot) at the bottom to start recording.
8. Hit the Stop button to stop recording.
9. Repeat as needed.

Playback

• If you need to listen to the audio with the speakers turn off the Input button
  • Click the I button.
• Take off the headphones.
• Now you can turn up the Mackie Big Knob volume box 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