[patseguin]

I made a video of myself last night with my Panasonic digital camcorder on my new QSC K12 and the audio was incredibly loud and distorted. How can I fix this? Should I somehow run the PA output into the 1/8" mic input on the camera?

Also, I bought Logic Studio and plan on using it for recording and also live performing. I have an external M-Audio with 2 1/4" outputs on the back. Would I set up my Macbook Pro to output everything to the M-Audio and then run the outputs to my PA? The PA has XLR and RCA inputs.

 

[hakukani]

Sound on consumer cameras is dodgy at best. The line output on your PA will probably overload the mic input on the camera.

The best way to record a video would be to playback your backing tracks from logic, listen with headphones, while you record the sax as an overdub. Record the video at the same time, and use logic to sync the video to the recorded audio. Forget the PA for recording.

What is the M-audio device? An interface?

 

[jaker]

Ok here goes:

-First import the backing track into logic.
-Hook a microphone to your mixer.
-what mixer do you have? Most mixers have a direct out on all or some of the channels. Use that and hook it to your M-audio (you gotta have some inputs?)
-Have a record ready mono audio track in logic with the right input (input 1 in most cases)
-Make sure your not setting off the red indicators.
-Press rec and go

Then you import the video in iMovie. Mix the track in logic, bounce as mp3 and import it into iMovie aswell.

Which interface do you have? it should have xlr aswell? Then you could just hook a mic straight into the interface. chances are the mixer's got better preamps.

It is possible to get decent sound out of most cameras. The downside is you have to run around with the camera to find the "sweet spot" and chances are that the sweet spot makes for a strange camera angle.

 

[patseguin]

I'll try that. I got Logic installed last night and was going to use it but couldn't figure out how to get a simple reverb on myself lol. Can I do it in Garage Band then import both the audio and video into Logic for syncing?

 

[patseguin]

Ok here goes:

-First import the backing track into logic.
-Hook a microphone to your mixer.
-what mixer do you have? Most mixers have a direct out on all or some of the channels. Use that and hook it to your M-audio (you gotta have some inputs?)
-Have a record ready mono audio track in logic with the right input (input 1 in most cases)
-Make sure your not setting off the red indicators.
-Press rec and go

Then you import the video in iMovie. Mix the track in logic, bounce as mp3 and import it into iMovie aswell.

Which interface do you have? it should have xlr aswell? Then you could just hook a mic straight into the interface. chances are the mixer's got better preamps.

It is possible to get decent sound out of most cameras. The downside is you have to run around with the camera to find the "sweet spot" and chances are that the sweet spot makes for a strange camera angle.

I don't have a mixer. I have an M-Audio Pre Mobile connected to the computer by USB. I connect my Wi5 mic to that by XLR and then control my audio and effects in Garage Band (until I figure out Logic). Is that the right way to do it? Then I could just video myself with no sound on the camera?

 

[jaker]

Yeah you can move files between logic and garageband easily. just bounce stuff as aif. files. Say you got two tracks one stereo track with the backing track. and your sax track. then you can mute one of the tracks and bounce, then mute the other track and bounce. then you can import them one at a time and mix in logic.

Don't forget to use a limiter before you bounce everything for the last time otherwise the volume will be to low. the limiter is found under inserts on the "output" track then AUDIO UNITS -> APPLE -> AUpeaklimiter then you boost the volume so it's just below peaking.

But I would prefer using iMovie for syncing. It's easier in my opinion at least. It also got some cool features if you'r gonna put it on youtube etc.

 

[jaker]

I just saw your post. You don't need a mixer I just figured you used one since you were talking about the PA. But you'r doing it right. But it should be pretty easy to do it in logic aswell. But your doing it right. And I think you should record with sound on your camera (it's easier to sync it later) use the camera sound for reference.

 

[hakukani]

To do reverb in logic, first go to the 'send' and pick a bus (bus 1 is good). This will 'creat' an aux return. Put a reverb in the 'inserts' on aux 1, and choose the reverb parameters. Turn the pot (the dial to the right of bus 1 on the original channel) up on bus 1 to 'hit' the aux return. Last, bring the fader up on Aux 1 to the level you want.

Jaker has some good ideas. Make sure that when you record your video, that you clap or make a percussive sound just before you begin. That makes it easier to sync up (that's what the 'clapper' on the slate used in movies is for).

 

[jaker]

The good thing about hakukanis way is that you can choose "bus 1" on any other track that you got in your session and that way "share" your reverb on more tracks, and that saves alot of cpu power and it often makes your recording sound more "together". Logic comes with a couple of bad and a couple of good reverbs, Before you feel at home with how to use them I suggest you try Platinum reverb and simply flip through the presets. you then control the amount of reverb with the circle that appears next to "bus 1"

 

[patseguin]

Yeah you can move files between logic and garageband easily. just bounce stuff as aif. files. Say you got two tracks one stereo track with the backing track. and your sax track. then you can mute one of the tracks and bounce, then mute the other track and bounce. then you can import them one at a time and mix in logic.

Don't forget to use a limiter before you bounce everything for the last time otherwise the volume will be to low. the limiter is found under inserts on the "output" track then AUDIO UNITS -> APPLE -> AUpeaklimiter then you boost the volume so it's just below peaking.

But I would prefer using iMovie for syncing. It's easier in my opinion at least. It also got some cool features if you'r gonna put it on youtube etc.

I don't see anything about limiters in Garage Band or any option to save as AIF.

 

[hakukani]

I don't see anything about limiters in Garage Band or any option to save as AIF.

I hate limiters. You can either normalize the track, or you can just bounce the track and import to logic. If you record in logic, you'll find that you need to set it up for 24 bit/44.1 kHz recording. At the 24 bit resolution you can record quite low (-9 to -12) and still have a great sounding track. Just remember to either normalize when you bounce the full mix, or use the limiter on the very last step.

 

[patseguin]

http://gallery.me.com/patseguin/100026

http://gallery.me.com/patseguin/100040

 

[jaker]

that worked out just fine! You put some delay on aswell I hear=).

 

[patseguin]

Yeah, but I recorded it Garage Band and imported it into Logic. I can't figure out how to get a decent sound in Logic. I figured out how to get reverb but it sounds all tin-ey and weird. But yeah, I like a little delay and especially wanted it in Chicago song because of the short lines.

Also, I have no idea what the term "bounce" means. I see it as a menu option in Logic but not GB.

Also, I am connecting my wi5 to the m-audio pre mobile input 1. In my software should I be setting it has a stereo track or mono? When set to stereo it seems like most of the audio is in my left ear.

Also again, for live gigs, is it a good idea to set up a Logic project for every tune in my set list and just start it when I am ready? I could then just output my m-audio unit to my QSC K12. Well, actually I think for live gigs I would use the special in in Logic Studio (Soundstage?). Would I be better off buying some kind of mixer and going through that before the m-audio? Sorry, but I am really new to this but have very exciting prospects for doing gigs here.

 

[hakukani]

Individual tracks should be mono, unless you're using more than on mic.

As far as gigs go, I would just mix the backing tracks to an mp3 or other format and play them with quicktime or itunes, unless you're wanting to use Soundstage for your reverb and delay effects on the sax live.

Concerning the recordings, first of all, nice job! It sounded quite convincing. Logic does have a much steeper learning curve. The parameters that you can tweek can either make you crazy, or you don't use them.

 

[jaker]

Bounce means that you convert all tracks in your session to a standard playback format, mp3, wav, aiff etc. You can choose any one you like.

You should set it to mono track. To record stereo you need 2 microphones. Thats why you only get sound from one side.

For a live show I think the easiest way is to choose your M-audio as the computers line-out so all audio played on the computer goes through your interface
To do that you click on the apple ->system preferences->Sound then you should see your M-audio and then you choose it.

Then simply make a playlist of your songs in iTunes. Open logic and fix your sound have it in record ready so you hear the playback sound. Then you simply blend the itunes backing track with the sound in logic. M-audio outputs -> qsc inputs. done.

One logic session for each song is a dangerous game, it hogs up alot of cpu + you have to run to the computer and start the track everytime. If you use iTunes you can buy the remote from the apple store and start and stop discretely.

 

[patseguin]

Thanks guys, you've been so helpful. I knew Logic would be a steeper learning curve but even the default reverb sounds really weird. I was expecting to have at least some preset effects that would work.

Jaker - so you're saying to play the track in iTunes and just have Logic open and in record ready so I get my effects? I would assume that Soundstage does the same thing? Also, the M-Audio has 1/4" jack and the speaker only has XLR and RCA inputs. Is there a cable or adapter availbe to plug a 1/4" jack into an XLR? Also I should both of them to the speaker or just one of them?

 

[jaker]

I remember having a hard time when I started using logic especially with the reverbs I've been using pro tools for years. Are you using the reverb on an aux track or as a insert on the track? If you use it as a aux it should be pretty easy to make it work no matter how bad the preset sounds. Otherwise the parameters to laborate with is the ones saying wet/dry.

I don't know what soundstage is ,but having the tracks in iTunes and use logic for fx is what I would do with the setup you got. There's adapters for everything XLR to 1/4" is something every music store should have and they are pretty cheap if you can find stereo xlr to rca use that. I assume your m-audio got a speaker output DON'T USE THAT they are really noisy. And on the back You got 2 1/4" out they are usually marked left and right. You use both and plug them into separate channels, even separate speakers if thats an option. That way you'r backing tracks will still be in stereo.

 

[patseguin]

I remember having a hard time when I started using logic especially with the reverbs I've been using pro tools for years. Are you using the reverb on an aux track or as a insert on the track? If you use it as a aux it should be pretty easy to make it work no matter how bad the preset sounds. Otherwise the parameters to laborate with is the ones saying wet/dry.

I don't know what soundstage is ,but having the tracks in iTunes and use logic for fx is what I would do with the setup you got. There's adapters for everything XLR to 1/4" is something every music store should have and they are pretty cheap if you can find stereo xlr to rca use that. I assume your m-audio got a speaker output DON'T USE THAT they are really noisy. And on the back You got 2 1/4" out they are usually marked left and right. You use both and plug them into separate channels, even separate speakers if thats an option. That way you'r backing tracks will still be in stereo.

I think it's an insert on the track. I'm creating a track for saxophone and then clicking on one the blank buttons and then choosing my effect. The reverb sounds so weird I can't use it.

 

[hakukani]

I think it's an insert on the track. I'm creating a track for saxophone and then clicking on one the blank buttons and then choosing my effect. The reverb sounds so weird I can't use it.

Try the procedure I outlined above.