ultralite MK3 recording my dj mix into it - not loud enough

[jpetrou]

hey guys,

i used to record my mixes via the mic input on my motherboard soundcard into adobe audition. which worked absolutely fine.

since i just got my motu ultralite mkiii, i thought i would start using this to record my mixes....

so i tried getting out from my mixer (2rca) and using a cable adapter (2rca- single6.5 stereo plug) to go into channel 3 on the ultralite, which wored, but when i checked the recording sounded very low and kind of crappy. so i thought ok thats cause i have stereo going into mono chanel. so i got 2 plug adaptors (1rca - single6.5 mono) x2 and plugged then into motu channel 3 and 4. this worked setup as a stereo input bus, quality was fine not like the stereo to mono.... but again the recording was very low.
is there a way to get the signal louder? without turning up the trim on the cue console or passing the reds on the mixer? surely the ultralite can do this? i was told the preamps in it might not be good enough so get a pre amp between the mixer and the ultralite? but thats one of the reason i got the ultralite!!

that cant be right, can it? i mean heres the standard soundcard on my motherboard working a hot signal thats perfect, and here is a $1200au audio specific interface that requires a pre amp to get it to a decent signal? surely there is some setting to rectify this?

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also one other dillema, since im recorind my dj mixes via my motherboard sound card at the moment, it seems in cubase there is times throughout the mix where the music stops for like half or one second. its like there is no signal all of a sudden even though the music is playing on my dj speakers continually uninterrupted. CHECK THE ATTATCHED PIC TO SEE WHAT I MEAN....

http://www.speedyshare.com/250486139.html
http://www.speedyshare.com/250486139.html

anyone know how to rectify this? i tried just cutting out the section of silence but it throws the beat off, so realistically its not silence but for a split second the recording doesnt record.... strange eh?


any ideas greatly appreciated!!

jp

[TheRealRoach]

Why wouldn't you want to use the trims? That's exactly what they're for. What you're requesting is sort of like a guitar playing saying, "I want my electric guitar to be louder, but I don't want to have to turn up the amp's volume."

Also, Re: Cubase. Many things could be causing thing. What I would recommend is to use your MOTU instead of any onboard sound card... and while you're at it, disable your onboard sound from your system bios.

[HotShot]

Firat of all, I'm not fussing at you, but I hope you're not referring to me when you say you were told that the Ultralite mk3 preamps might not be good enough, because I didn't say that in the other post you started about recording your DJ Mix. You can go back and re-read that thread to see I didn't say that.

Now, I don't know if you're aware, but the preamps on the Ultralite mk3 are on Analog inputs 1-2 only. You say you are using analog inputs 3-4 which inputs are Line In level, and most likely require a separate preamp unit to get the signal up to a good level.

Why don't you just run your DJ signal into Analog Inputs 1-2 (which have the MOTU preamps), and make sure the pads are not on by insuring the pad switches are in the "all -the-way-down' position? You may not have to use much trim if any. Or run the signal to Analog Inputs 1-2 from your Mixer board. Have you tried these two things?

[jpetrou]

thanks for the replies, iam going to try them now.

yeah i was referring to your advice hotshot, but i just couldnt understand how the standard card on my mobo could work better than an ultralite. thats why i thought there must be something im doing wrong or a setting i need to change. after the explanation now, i fully understand what you mean.

iam so new to all this, and there is alot to learn. so thanks for the advice guys. appreciate it.

jp

[jpetrou]

i just gave it a shot with the trim all the way up, and it is much better, although there is still room to turn it up more.

regarding the inputs 1/2 that have the preamp, arent they the xlr connections for mic/instruments? how do i plug the rca's from my mixer to them? i wasnt aware that you could get those cables or adaptors. i tried plugging into the 6.5 1/2 in the back of the ultralite, but they are for output?

hotshot, is that what you meant? thanks again for your help,

jp

[stephentayler]

Try the guitar/instrument inputs on 1 and 2.... they are combined dual purpose sockets with XLR on the outside and 1/4" jack on the inside.... that should sort you out.

Then you use the mic trim controls on the front of the unit.

Cheers

Stephen

[HotShot]

As Stephen says, the Analog 1-2 Inputs can take a XLR or a 1/4 inch TRS connection.

Connect your Mixer output to the TRS (TRS means a 1/4 inch connector) connectors of Analog 1-2. Your Mixer should have a 1/4 inch output connector. If so, go to a store like Radio Shack and get 2 cables that are 1/4 inch males on each end (one for left channel and one for right).

If your mixer just has rca outputs, get 2 cables that have male rca on one end and a male 1/8 inch on the other end. You will need two 1/8 to 1/4 adapters, to place on the 1/8 inch male connectors so you can connect to the TRS Inputs of the UltraLite Analog 1-2.

Connect the white rca jack of one cable to the left out on your mixer and the 1/4 inch jack on the other end of that cable to the Front Analog Input on the UltraLite.

Connect the red rca of the other cable to the right output of the mixer, and connect the 1/4 inch jack of that cable to the rear TRS jack of Analog 1-2 on the UltraLite.

You may not understand me here, so go to a Radio shack or Guitar Center as they may have other cables/adapters you can do this with. Ask the sales person for help. Tell him that you're trying to connect your mixer (which has rca outputs) to TRS or 1/4 inch female Inputs. Somebody there should be able to help you pick the correct cables/adapters to accomplish what you want to do.

[TheRealRoach]

Just to clarify. The motu site makes it pretty clear that all of the inputs are digitally controlled analog trims. In other words, they can all boost incoming signals. I'm surprised that even with the gain cranked you aren't getting enough signal. Are you sure you can't get any more level out of the DJ mixer?

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ ... 3/i-o.html

"All of the Ultralite-mk3's analog inputs are equipped with digitally controlled analog trim controls that allow adjustments in precise 1 dB increments. The mic/guitar input trims can be adjusted using front-panel digital rotary encoders that provide feedback in the front panel LCD. All analog inputs, including eight TRS analog inputs, can be trimmed using the CueMix FX control software for Mac and Windows."

[jpetrou]

thanks roach n hotshot again especially HS! i got it now.

but what im gonna do is leave the inputs to 3/4, so i dont have to take out my mic when i record a mix, but 1/2 levels is much more amplfied.

thanks again, appreciate your help.

jp

[HotShot]

You're welcome.

It's good to know that you have it working OK for you.