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#936949 12/16/11 08:22 PM
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Hello All....
I am hoping that someone here with more expertise than i have may be able to give me some advise, i'll try not to make this too long. Anyway i have a cd that i recorded a while back in Nashville the music is great but, my vocals were not so great so i am in the process of re-recording them myself VS going back into the studio and spending more money as it is the cd cost me a total of $10,000 i know i was taken i've been dealing with that for quite sometime now lol. I am using Mixcraft 5 software and since i was given the master tracks of the music from the studio in Nashville thats not a problem because i am able to import the music into the program so all i need to do is add an audio track which is the vocal.

I was using a Samson R21 mic but my vocals are flat sounding and even though i use very little reverb during mixdown its sounds as if im singing in a stadium...also i'm not able to hear my vocals though my headset only the music it makes it very difficult to sing when i'm unable to hear my voice. Anyway i invested in a MXL 006 usb condenser mic, it doe's a very good job of capturing the vocal but the problem that i am running into now is during playback my vocal is in time until i get into the 2nd verse of the song then my vocal drifts out of time. I didn't have this issue with the Samson mic, is it possible that the condenser mic is sensitive to the point that it would pick up a change such as that? I know my vocals are not the best, but i have never had an issue with timing or tempo. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated....
Please Don't Make Me Go Back To The Studio....LOL

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Hi Pam,
The quickest solution is to take your Tracks to one of the Studios in Houston and do your Vocals there. It shouldn't cost no $10,000.00 to redo the vocals. Just ask what they charge to do it. Since there is more than one recording studio you should find one you like. Other's here do record their own projects so finding out why yiou can't hear your vocals play back may just be as simple as clicking something in the program. Good luck.


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Originally Posted by mystymusic

Please Don't Make Me Go Back To The Studio....LOL


Hi there,

I am guessing that you do not have a microphone problem at all but a recording setup problem. I am not familiar with Mixcraft 5 but I am sure it has some options to set that can take care of these problems.

First, singing in a stadium makes me think that you are somehow getting your vocal on there twice which sounds like an echo. That probably is caused by latency. Latency is essentially the delay between your singing and the recorder recording it and then playing it back to you in your headphones.

When you record, you should be listening to the playback of the music plus the sound of the mic going into the recording device, not coming back out. This might be referred to as monitoring. There is probably a choice to be made in your Mixcraft somewhere.

The second issue is probably related to the first. Somehow going into the system via USB, you are hearing either the music or your singing coming back into the headphones in a delayed manner and are therefore not singing at the right time.

I can't tell you much more than this without having the system in front of me. I would put the USB mic aside for now and get the Samson going first. Look for help with Mixcraft on line - maybe there is a user's forum. Look for setup and latency instructions. Also look for instruction regarding monitoring vocals.

Once you get that sorted out, you should be able to lay down a good clean vocal track. Then you will be ready to add compression, equalization and reverb.


Colin

I try to critique as if you mean business.....

http://colinwardmusic.com/

http://rosewoodcreekband.com/


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Sounds like a set up problem rather than a mic problem....latency is the most obvious thing to consider. This can usually be sorted out by adjusting the latency settings. I am not familiar with Mixcraft but if it is a half decent program it should have a way of adjusting latency...consult your manual to see how this can be done. It is important I would say crucial to obtain a clean dry recording first....then apply fx etc.....most folk do several takes and edit the best bits together to compile a good vocal.
Having spent a ridiculous amount already I am sure you want to get the album as good as you can get it..so I would suggest going the extra mile and getting the vocals done professionally in a proper studio.....do not be put off by your bad experience first time round...most studios are on your side and do provide a great pain free service and value for money... ask around and check out local studios and see if they can help....It should not take more than a few hours studio time to add decent vocals to your tracks....they might even re mix and master the originals to make them sound better...It will probably be quicker and cheaper in the long run than to try to do it all yourself especially if you have relatively little experience with recording and editing skills....the end results from most novices are usually pretty poor and will almost certainly be worse than the original vocals you were unhappy with. Amateur equipment used by amateurs rarely comes up to pro studio standards for quality. The costs of decent equipment and time spent on the huge learning curve needed for even basic sound recording and editing is usually enough to send people rushing into a studio if they want good results quickly and cheaply.

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Latency is the culprit on the timing problem. As Colin says the other problem lies in your software. Maybe in the sound card.
Vic


It's never too late? Yes it is, so do it now.

If, given time, a monkey can write the complete works of Shakespeare maybe there's hope for me.

http://store.cdbaby.com/cd/vicarnold2

http://www.soundclick.com/vicarnold

http://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold

Vicarn #937151 12/18/11 12:36 PM
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Thanks everyone for the input...i checked the latency, but i need to do more research first. my computer is a Everex Stepnote and is already 5 years old so that could be the problem as well, i may need a new soundcard. The system came with windows vista which i was not satisfied with so i upgraded to windows xp.There are some very good studios in Houston so i may end up going that route for these songs anyway...thanks again and ya'll have a great Christmas!!!

www.soundclick.com/pamgentilini

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Any one with a daw should be able to fix your track within the hour, if you are basically happy with how the recording sounds and you don't need to rerecord.

Warp, elastic audio ect. can fix timing issues in a whim, without audible artifacts, if you have the tracks.

I suggest you talk to the JPF forums house producer, Mike Caro at http://www.substudiomusic.com/

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Hello Songcabinet....
I wasn't given the option to listen to the first project from the studio,if i would have heard it i would not have accepted it.
It sure did not sound the same as when i was recording my vocal anyway because of my anxiety over the entire session and all i failed to see that Red Flag, but thanks so much for your suggestion.

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I think this is a lesson for all inexperienced folk using a studio for the first time. Here are some common sense tips from someone who is no stranger to a studio.

Only record songs that you feel are ready and worthy of recording.....and do not look to make money from them...in most cases it will cost you a lot of money with no return.

If a studio or some company contacts you offering to promote you or record/pitch your songs for a fee...chances are it is a scam so be very careful....my advice is run fast.

Once you decide to record songs choose carefully the studio ...try to get references and recommendations from folk you know who have used the studio.... make sure you know the full costs up front and that they will give you the services you want at a realistic price.

Always plan your time.....practice your performace and know your songs inside out so that when you go into the studio you can concentrate on the performance.....it is not the place to practice.

Always listen to advice from the engineers but remember you are the customer and they are only there to give you exactly what you want so do not accept anything you are not happy with or be frightened to ask for a adjustments in levels or mix or change instrument sounds etc....things can be adjusted post record quite quickly and easily....never be frightened to ask for another take if you are unhappy.... it is all down to taste and preferences so their settings might not be to your ear but they can be changed quite easily.

As well as the final mixdown always get ALL the original recorded tracks, preferably in wav form.....I usually find a memory a memory stick is best...and keep a backup.....these can be revisited and changed or adjusted in the future...or even taken to another studio.

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Thanks Jim,
Yeah i learned a Real Hard lesson, I did an extensive search on the company before the session and i didn't find any results. Go figure a week later i ran a search again and low and behold this persons name popped up in a Negative way. Needless to say this company (not the studio) is no longer in business, so they're no longer able to take money from unsuspecting artists. You know i could have walked away and saved myself $6,000 because i didn't pay the total cost until two days later but i was concerned that i may have lost my two original songs and $4,000. The thing is that the original cd sounded like crud so it wouldn't have made any difference because i'm working with the master music tracks from the studio.
BTW This person and company has a complaint on file with the BBB in Nashville, they were unable to follow up because they were unable to contact them but the complaint is on google.
I guess one good thing came out of it....i wrote a song along the lines of my experience during my drive to Albuquerque from Nashville. It's titled Tears in Memphis

www.soundclick.com/pamgentilini

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Oh I forgot the most important piece of advice...do not pay anything up front...only pay when the job is done and you are 100% happy with the results.

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Thanks again everyone for the advise...i've decided to use a studio in Houston for my vocals, my usb microphone is not recording correctly and i need to get the best quality possible on this project. I contacted a Producer with Rampart Records in Houston he listened to my music and said the tracks sound really good already and there wouldn't be a problem with the vocal.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays!!

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Great News Pam,
And if Ye need some more Traditional Country Songs I have a few you can check out. Good luck!


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Hi Ray,

Thanks for the offer..i may take you up on that. Just an update i sent two songs to the studio on Thursday and just an fyi this company is not a label they are a production company. I recieved an email back from them within an hour, needless to say the production cost is a bit high and i am having a difficult time justifing it anyway i am including the email.


Hi Pam,

Well, the tracks sound good. We can record, comp, and tune vocals (for Nashville-sounding country, EVERYbody's getting tuned, but in the final analysis it will be entirely up to you) to major-label, broadcast standards for $400 per track. We can then mix and master to those same standards for another $400 per track. For two tracks, that'd come out to $1600...

But, package it all together...the recording, comping, tuning, mixing, and mastering...and we'll do the entire thing for $1500.

And at that point, if you like, we can talk about options for design/branding, promotions, and shopping, if you so desire. Airplay Direct can be great for delivery, but in terms of actually getting promoted (targeting relevant outlets, sending the press releases and e-blasts of the press kit, making the calls, documenting results, making the follow-up calls) to radio, media, and internet, you either need to have the time and expertise to interact with music and program directors at stations and promotions and music editors in other media...or else you contract someone who does have those things. And for shopping your project to label executives, music managers, publishers, booking agents, etc., it takes someone with connections and the ability to work those connections on your behalf.

Our promotions/shopping director is none other than Marconi-Award winning broadcaster/program director Randy Hames (formerly Irv Harrigan of CBS Radio's Hudson & Harrigan Show), and he personally quarterbacks all efforts on behalf of artists looking for career advancement services. Our goal is to help artists achieve meaningful, full-time careers with their music.

But we can cross those bridges only when/if you decide to.

Step one is getting these recordings finished, and we'd love to accommodate you on that.

Would you like to schedule a time to start that process?

Sincerely,



I fully understand what he is saying in terms of promotion and business in general but 1) I am not seeking major label representation because i do not meet their age requirement. Also i don't understand what he means about the Nashville Sound? The music Is The Nashville Sound....i'm confused...Anyway bottom line is this project worth another $5000.00 after all seven songs are completed i've already invested 10k...
I love my music but for another $800.00 a song???

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Hi Pam,
Those folks really know how to pile on the fees, don't they? I would do a lot more shopping around. There used to be Studios in Nashville that would do a whole project with 1000 Cd's and 1000 Publicity Photos for around $250.00 per song. Take your time and check out more places.


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That price is crazy. If you were here, I could help you get that done to professional standards at my friend's studio for about $100 per track.


Colin

I try to critique as if you mean business.....

http://colinwardmusic.com/

http://rosewoodcreekband.com/


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Pam:

1. Read the article below.

2. Stop spending money until you have a team of advisers that say it is time to do so. There are a few ideas below as to how to assemble that team.




#########################################333



Sharkproof Yourself
by Mike Dunbar




There are sharks in the water. The shark feeds on egos.

We often hear about singers and songwriters getting scammed. One instance I'll never forget. A woman spent tens of thousands of dollars, mortgaged her house, for what amounted to a couple of $500 demos (and I'm being generous about the price) from a man who promised her the moon. She did it after I literally begged her not to. We get posts all the time from folks asking or warning about this company or that company, but new scam companies start up and old ones continually change their names, so that's just screaming "there's a shark in the water." Well....we always knew there were sharks in the water, didn't we? We can worry about one while we get bit by another. It's time we "sharkproof" ourselves. Let's get started.

Let's look at the scams.

The most common scam a songwriter is likely to encounter is the bait and switch. This is where a publisher or songplugger offers to sign your songs, but they say you need a better demo, and it has to be recorded by them or one of their friends. The bait is that you get your song published or plugged. The switch is that they simply want to do your demo. Sometimes they will offer to split the cost of the demo with you. In reality, the "half" you spend is the entire cost of the demo...including the fee for the publisher/plugger. They will publish your song, they will even "plug" it, which amounts to sending some cds or mp3s to a label or artist which will never, ever, be heard. They might even do a decent job on the demo. But you weren't shopping for a demo, you wanted your song published or plugged. The sharkproofing? Educate yourself. Do your homework. Put together a team of advisers* (I'll get to that later). Do you need a publisher or songplugger? Not unless you are writing songs at a highly professional level, and maybe not even then. And never, never, NEVER work with someone you don't know who contacted you first (unless your team of advisers* agrees your are writing at a high level and they have checked them out thoroughly...THOROUGHLY. I'm still tempted to simply say "Never" but I know of one example in all my career of someone who was contacted by a major publisher. It's so rare as to be astonishing.)

Another songwriter scam is "We'll compose music to your lyrics as a work for hire and won't be cowriters, as long as we make your demo." These are almost never composers who are in love with your lyrics. I've heard many hundred of these songs. I can't, offhand, think of one where the music really fit the lyrics. There may be a few...I can't think of any...including any from our members here. This is perfectly legal and, if it makes you happy, I have no problem with it...as long as you don't expect the songs to go anywhere. Again, they are selling you the demo. The sharkproofing is, again, have a team of advisers* who agree that your lyrics are at a high level, then network until you find a good composer or composers who love your songs and are willing to work as cowriters including splitting the cost of the demos. If you simply want songs to play for your friends or grandchildren, or to play for each other online, I have no problem with buying a "work for hire" composer as long as you're not paying more money than you can afford to throw away.

Singers and artists will find, or be found by, folks who offer to manage them and/or produce them. The producers may be legitimate, as long as they are not promising "access to their contacts" as part of the deal. That's the scam. If a producer promises access to their friends before the deal is set, then that's the bait. I know producers who, after the project was finished, helped shop it and promote it. That is different. It wasn't bait, they legitimately want the project to succeed. It is the same with managers. To sharkproof yourself, guess what? Put together a team of advisers* who will look at the deals as well as look at you to see if you are ready.

More scams are paid showcases, cd compilations and tv shows. There is nothing wrong with a paid showcase...Garth Brooks put together paid showcases before he got his deal, but he was Garth Brooks. Are you that good? Ask your team of advisers*. CD compilations may be legit, but they are rarely useful. On the bad side, they put together bogus charts that track radio play you never got, or no one ever heard. As Brian says, the only chart that really counts is Billboard. Also, there are television shows that showcase new talent for a fee. Sometimes the only tv they are on is yours at home when you play the DVD you bought. Sharkproofing? Again, education, homework, honest assessment of yourself that includes your team of advisers*

There are other scams, but they are usually spinoffs of these, such as "contests" that are judged by producers who want your business. They all include that you pay for something you don't really need. Some promise things they can't or won't deliver. To sharkproof yourself from all of them, you must educate yourself. Get John Braheny's book "The Craft and Business of Songwriting" and Donald S. Passman's "All You Need to Know About the Music Business." Then avail yourself of online resources such as ours. Learn a little about business in general.

Perhaps, most importantly, if you want to be sharkproof you must become brutally honest with yourself. Music people are afraid to do this because they fear they lack talent. The truth is, talent is not the biggest component. The biggest component is authenticity. When you write or sing, you must be authentic. The feelings and ideas you convey must ring true and touch other people. Authenticity can be developed. You just "get real." Then you add that to whatever talent God gave you. Or, do you have false pride? Do you think you are better than everyone else? Do you think you could take Nashville, or London, or L.A., or Mumbai, or Austin by storm? You can't. It takes hard work. The sharks think the proud ones are easy prey. You also must be honest about your chances. Do you have the time and energy to work harder at this than you ever have worked at anything else in your life? Are you reaching for the wrong goals? Do you want to be a country star, but you are over 40? Maybe you need to look at Americana. The best tool you have for self assessment is your team of advisers*

So, sharkproof yourself. I've seen people quit the music business because they didn't. I know one fellow who spent a quarter of a million dollars recording, pressing and promoting a cd which now, literally, fills his rather large garage. He spent his retirement. He's quite good, but he has quit playing music anywhere but church. Come to think of it, he is, in the real sense of the word, a success. \:\)

##########################################


*team of advisers
I recommend a team of at least five advisers. I recommend at least one be someone who is successful in the music business; one who is successful in a business other than music; at least one good friend who will always be honest with you; no more than one family member; at least one entertainment lawyer. This team does not have to all meet at once, though as your career goes on, that could be a good idea. You should take them out to lunch or dinner as a way of "paying" them. If your career takes off, you might give them a token percentage. Once successful, you may find your publisher and/or manager from among them. (You don't need either until you are successful) Their biggest job will be protecting you from your own and each other's egos.

There are sharks in the water. The shark feeds on egos.







You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music

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Thanks Collin...Saint Petersburg is closer, i estimated $700.00 for the project. I think i'll go back to square one and invest $800.00 and upgrade my entire system, Guitar Center offers free recording and promotion classes once a month. I'm not Carrie Underwood and i'm not planning a world tour anytime soon so i'm not in the market for a label and nor do i require their promotion lol....
Thanks Mike for sharing your information...i fully understand the trick of changing the company name...one week after the session i found out that they changed their name. The way i see it is that half of my money was used to finance the new company and the other $5000.00 was used to finance her new BMW she was driving.....Well she's out of business and hopefully the car too lol

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Mysty .......I have a golden rule "They pay me not the other way around" so if someone out of the blue says they like my music and want to promote me....or record me..for a fee....I ask....what do I make from this and what are they going to make?.....invariably the only one out of pocket in such a scenario is me the artist. An online pal of mine sent me a recording he had made by a pro studio and to be honest it was one of the poorest quality recordings I had heard......the song was OK and the performance was not that bad...but the recording and mix was amateur to the point of being unnacceptable by anyones standard....it was a classic bait and switch scam....he paid well over the odds for a poor home recording type demo....what is even worse..... he signed a deal giving away his rights on the song etc....this bogus company done him up like a kipper....so remember once bitten.....

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My only knowledge is a flat mixer setup with .wav and audacity. No effects. Using microphones that range from chat mics to condenser mics. There really does not seem to be a difference between the two if people are going to like my performance. Yet I know there is that difference with musicians.
Love the practical information and leads on here.

Does there have to be that one certain setup for the voice?
I would like to get in to singing in members songs myself.

What would be the first mic and software that would come to mind for a presentation?

I would like a poll.



Last edited by R&M; 03/22/12 03:27 AM.
R&M #951529 03/22/12 03:37 PM
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There are plenty of websites that give you accurate descriptions of what each mic is used for. try guitarcenter.com or sweetwater.com, and read their copy next to the products

R&M #952110 03/25/12 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by R&M
My only knowledge is a flat mixer setup with .wav and audacity. No effects. Using microphones that range from chat mics to condenser mics. There really does not seem to be a difference between the two if people are going to like my performance. Yet I know there is that difference with musicians.
Love the practical information and leads on here.

Does there have to be that one certain setup for the voice?
I would like to get in to singing in members songs myself.

What would be the first mic and software that would come to mind for a presentation?

I would like a poll.




You raise many questions.......the answers are not simple.......each mic has its own use and some mics are better suited depending on the usage....each voice is different and each person has a different level of expertise in using and setting up a system..........budget also plays a part.

The main object when recording anything is to get a clean dry recording free from FX or external noise and any hisses or hums.....that is not easy for any novice. Obviously the more expensive the gear and the more expertise the user has the better the recording....fx and editing is usually done post record to the dry signal. Most studios use quality condenser mics......some cost thousands........ That said with a bit of learning and a few hundred dollars for a mic and some software plus an interface anyone can produce a decent recording. Audacity is OK and would be a good place for any novice to start. You can then upgrade.

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Thanks for the advice everyone!! Its been quite some time since i have been here. I've been really busy with work, anyway i upgraded my mic to a SM57 along with a Lexicon audio interface, i also upgraded my system to a dell inspiron 600m. I know its not the best system but its much faster than my everex. I am in the process of setting everything up.

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That sounds like a pretty good starter set up. Now the learning curve begins. At first I bet you cannot get things to work properly and I bet your first attempts will probably be disappointing....do not worry it is only to be expected.......we are here to help.....so any problems just ASK. I am sure you will get better. Do not get discouraged.

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Originally Posted by mystymusic
...i'm confused...Anyway bottom line is this project worth another $5000.00 after all seven songs are completed i've already invested 10k...
I love my music but for another $800.00 a song???

Never throw good money after bad -- cut your losses, practice practice, practice and then revisit your tunes a year from now.

This is a good place to post songs, get peer to peer reviews and improve your craft. A year from now you will have even better songs to choose from!

Kevin


"Good science comes in peer reviewed journals. Conspiracy theories come in YouTube videos. "
Kevin @ bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh (and Kevin @50/90 2019)
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Your right Jim...lol I bought a lexicon alpha which included cubase 5le, i downloaded the software along with the lexicon drivers but for some reason cubase will not work on my dell. Mixcraft 5 seems to work just fine but not with the interface.
What I am attempting to do here is to run my mixer, microphone , monitors and computer into the interface and go from there.

Thanks Kevin..thats what I have decided to do for now if I could just get everything to work as it should.

I just added a pic so ya'll know i'm for real lol

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I see no reason why Cubase does not work......admittedly it is a steep learning curve.....so I would suggest it is an installation or set up problem. Most Lexicon interfaces are windows compatible and Cubase sure is. I bet it is something simple....like a driver or input or output device not assigned properly. More info and perhaps we can narrow it down a bit and possibly provide a solution. Give as much info as you can like model number of Lexicon and the operating system of your laptop and explanation of what happened exactly when you tried to install and connect it.

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I have not used Cubase but as Jim said, it is probably an issue with telling Cubase where the inputs are coming from and the outputs going to. This may have to be done on both the computer's Control Panel/Sound and Audio Devices, and within Cubase in an options or preferences screen probably in a dropdown menu under Edit or File or ???? You will have to point it at the Lexicon device for inputs and outputs.


Colin

I try to critique as if you mean business.....

http://colinwardmusic.com/

http://rosewoodcreekband.com/


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Yes, like Colin and Jim said...

In the Dell: make sure the default audio device is set to the Lexicon under Control Panel/Sound and Audio Devices.

In Cubase: watch this video...he's setting up Cubase LE with a Lexicon Omega! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gztXr5wPL0


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Yes Cubase will scan your system for devices and it is simply a case of connecting or assigning your interface using the device set up tab as per the video. The same principle applies for the outputs. You need to say where you want them to be routed. There are plenty of tutorials on youtube explaining how to operate Cubase. Just google.


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