Monitoring live input. MOTU Track16

MONITORING LIVE INPUT

There are two ways to monitor live audio input with an Track16: 1) through the computer or 2) via the Track16 CueMix FX hardware mixer.

Figure 8-1 shows method 1, which allows you to apply host-based effects processing via plug-ins in your audio software. See the next section,

“Adjusting the audio I/O buffer” for details about

how to reduce — and possibly eliminate — the audible monitoring delay that the computer introduces.

Figure 8-2 shows how to use CueMix FX hardwarebased monitoring, which lets you hear what you are recording with no monitoring delay and no computer-based effects processing. Instead, input is routed directly to an output, either with or without Track16-based effects processing (EQ,

compression or reverb). See “CueMix FX hardware monitoring” later in this chapter for details on how

to use CueMix FX with your audio software, or with the included CueMix FX software.

If the material you are recording is suitable, there is a third way to monitor live input: use both methods

(Figure 8-1 and Figure 8-2) at the same time. For example, you could route guitar to both the computer (for an amp model effect) and mix that processed signal on the main outs with dry guitar from CueMix FX — or perhaps with a touch of

Track16 Classic Reverb.

4. Mic signal (with plug-in processing, if any) is routed to the main outs (or other outputs that you’ve specified in the software).

Main out

1. Live input (from mic, guitar, etc.) enters the MOTU interface.

2. Mic signal goes immediately to the computer.

3. Mic signal is

‘patched thru’ back to the audio interface with reverb or other plug-in effects, if any.

Mac

Figure 8-1: There are two ways to monitor live audio inputs with an Track16: 1) through the computer or 2) via CueMix FX hardware monitoring. This diagram shows method 1 (through the computer). When using this method, use your host software’s buffer setting to reduce the slight delay you hear when monitoring the live input, but don’t lower it too much, or your computer might get sluggish.

R E D U C I N G M O N I T O R I N G L A T E N C Y