Recording in 4.0

[Skybird74]

If you'll read my first post about this, I specifically asked about using the Record feature in MicroStudio at a Show using Hoster and was told it could be done by Admin. I wanted to learn as much as possible before trying it "Live" at my Show tonight.

OK, I just came home from doing a Show. Yes, you can record a Live Show. However, when I plugged into the microphone from my Amp, it muted the music so much, that it sounded terrible, until I pulled the plug out from the microphone in my laptop. So, I did my Show as usual with Hoster & did not record anything. Just thought I'd try ...

If Hoster 4.0 includes a Record feature, I am sure it will work much better. For now, I personally would not recommend using MicroStudio to record a live Show that is run with Hoster.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Skybird74

If you'll read my first post about this, I specifically asked about using the Record feature in MicroStudio at a Show using Hoster and was told it could be done by Admin. I wanted to learn as much as possible before trying it "Live" at my Show tonight.

OK, I just came home from doing a Show. Yes, you can record a Live Show. However, when I plugged into the microphone from my Amp, it muted the music so much, that it sounded terrible, until I pulled the plug out from the microphone in my laptop. So, I did my Show as usual with Hoster & did not record anything. Just thought I'd try ...

If Hoster 4.0 includes a Record feature, I am sure it will work much better. For now, I personally would not recommend using MicroStudio to record a live Show that is run with Hoster.

You didn't say anything about Hoster in your first post but no matter. The Hoster recorder will be the same setup. You will still need to get the microphone output back to the mic in/line in input of your laptop to record your singers. Your problem with the decreased output was probably an impedence mismatch. The laptop input is usually a low impedence and your output from the amp may be a high impedence output.

[Skybird74]

I was sure that I had mentioned "Hoster" somewhere, but I couldn't find it either. However, I do see that I asked if I could record with MicroStudio "while doing a Show", which of course is done with Hoster.

What you said about mis-matched impedence makes sense, but how would you fix this? Is there something that can be used between the Amp and laptop that would solve this problem?

If this is a hardware issue, it sounds like a problem that everyone will come across when trying to record. Hopefully Admin will read this and have an answer for us.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Skybird74

I was sure that I had mentioned "Hoster" somewhere, but I couldn't find it either. However, I do see that I asked if I could record with MicroStudio "while doing a Show", which of course is done with Hoster.

What you said about mis-matched impedence makes sense, but how would you fix this? Is there something that can be used between the Amp and laptop that would solve this problem?

If this is a hardware issue, it sounds like a problem that everyone will come across when trying to record. Hopefully Admin will read this and have an answer for us.

Where exactly are you taking the Amp output from? Is it an amplified output or a pre-amplified output? What you feed back to the sound card needs to be a very low level (milliwatts) just like a microphone would output. I take it you have mixer-amplifier combination unit. What brand and model is it? If I can look up the specs on it then I would have a better idea of how to deal with this.

[Skybird74]

I am using a Yamaha EMX640 that I have been using for about 10 years now. It is still being sold on the market as one of the best amps out there. On the front are "Record Out" jacks specifically for this purpose, which in the past I would use to go directly into my cassette recorder.

I still have the book which states: "output jacks which send line level signals from the EMX640 to external devices. A stereo recording device such as a cassette rcorder or MD recorder can be connected to the REC OUT jacks"

The output specs are as follows:
Actual source impedance: 600(icon that looks like a headset)
Norman impedance: 10k(icon...) Lines
Nominal output level: -10dBV (316 mV)
Max. output level before clipping: +10 dBV (3.16 V)

Do you have any idea what all that means?

[ddouglass]

What you are looking for is this:
Actual source impedance: 600 ohms (that is what the symbol means)

Now what we need to know is the input impedence of the sound card. Do you have separate Line In and Microphone jacks or is there only one?

[Skybird74]

I have an HP laptop with a microphone in. I've never seen a laptop with a "line-in" in addition to the microphone in - do you know which models have both?

I went to HP re troubleshooting "recording". Below is what they had to say: (the microphone boost was already disabled - would enabling it help?)

Fixing feedback, noise, and static problems
If the Microphone Boost feature is enabled, noise can interfere with recording. Use the following steps to check for and disable the Microphone Boost feature:

1. In Windows XP, click Start, and then Control Panel.
   In Windows 95, 98, and Me, click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
2. In Windows XP, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, and then Sounds and Audio Devices.
   In Windows 95, 98, and Me, double-click Sounds and Multimedia or Multimedia.
3. Click the Voice tab.
4. Click Volume inside Voice Recording or Voice Capture.
5. Click Advanced inside the Balance adjustment for the microphone. If the Advanced option window does not display, select Options and click Advanced Controls (Advanced Controls may not be available on some models).
6. In Advanced Controls for Microphone, select 1 Microphone Boost or +20dB Gain.
7. Click Close and close all Windows. Try recording again.