Audio Recording with Mix-Minus

A brief tutorial on using the mix-minus setup for audio recording of Skype calls (to avoid latency in the recording)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Skype
• audio
• recording
• podcast
• podcasting
• mix
• minus

[lafotoboy]

Great video. Very helpful. One question. How do I continue to utilize my external monitors that have typically been plugged into the headphone jack on the computer. Is there a port on the Mackie to plug them into?

[shelholtz]

@lafotoboy Yep, there's a 1/4-inch jack for studio monitors on the Mackie.

[shelholtz]

YackShack, if I were on a desktop, that would be fine. This is a laptop. I've tried an external sound card -- a pricey one -- but it just couldn't keep up, due (I'm sure) to the laptop's processing speeds. Also, I find any recording to the laptop produces the risk of problems from slowdowns on the hard drive, whereas recording to the Marantz digital recordeer is flawless. The mixer also gives me a lot of control, and I have the ability to add an effects processer and a limiter, enhacing output.

[shelholtz]

YackShack, if I were on a desktop, that would be fine. This is a laptop. I've tried an external sound card -- a pricey one -- but it just couldn't keep up, due (I'm sure) to the laptop's processing speeds. Also, I find any recording to the laptop produces the risk of problems from slowdowns on the hard drive, whereas recording to the Marantz digital recordeer is flawless. The mixer also gives me a lot of control, and I have the ability to add an effects processer and a limiter, enhacing output.

[drewdude10507]

For the mac, you can do it with Garageband, Soundflower, and Skype, Its free and easier

[shelholtz]

I'm sorry, but that's completely wrong. I used to use a Mac, but it does not negate the need for the mix-minus in order to get rid of the Skype latency; we set this up, in fact, when I was using a Mac. If you watched the video, you'd know we were ALREADY using Skype. The Mac does nothing to address latency, which is the result of the delay in digitizing and then delivering the voice communication over Skype. You still need some kind of solution like a double-ender or a mix-minus.

[cks1001]

its called an audio interface....

[MendotaTech]

@shelholtz use the third usb sound adapter. Although it will be a cabled mess, it should work..I will be trying this soon as I am going to buy new equipment.

[MendotaTech]

@shelholtz You can record on the same computer as skype. The only thing that will allow you to do that is a separate sound card. There is three things that you must do... If your computer is fast enough to record, play, and handle a skype call, then you must install two usb audio adapters which should include a headphone and a microphone jack. Set skype to output sound to the main sound card which will do audio send and 5/6 mix minus. Set music to adapter #1. Finally set the recording program to

[SonicOrbStudios]

Skype really doesnt have latency anymore although some VOIP programs do. I do a non min=minus recording setup these days and don't have any issue at all as skype tends to sync up with itself after a minute.

[drewdude10507]

heres what i meant. Download SoundFlower and set it so that you hear Soundflower (2ch). Go to skype, set input to mic and output to SoundFlower (2ch). Download LineIn ( i forgot to mention) and set input to mic, and output to SoundFlower(2ch) (it puts your mic on Soundflower (2ch))Then go to Garageband and set Audio Driver to Soundflower (2ch). You may hear yourself, but it works!

PS-Leo uses it because he has 10 computers and broadcasting audio on muliple things, while this only works on 1.