Tech 21 & SB Live! Sound Card

[zyx345]

I was wondering if anyone can offer any suggestions to a problem I have been having:

I am trying to run my Tech 21 amp signal into my computer via the amp's XLR direct recording output into my computer's SB Live sound card. It is connected via cable w. XLR on one end & 1/4in on the other w. a 1/4in side having an 1/8in adapter on it.

I hooked my amp up to my computer sound card in the "line in" but couldn't get it to work. No sound even through the monitor. I am using Creative Labs recording software.

The strange thing is I can hook my tape deck to my computer no problem but when I try w. my guitar amp no sound. I also tried running the signa via. headphone output to the computer but also has no sound. Does the SB Live sound card not accept guitar signals?

[San]

In theory this should work just fine but you might want to check the output of your amp. Does it have stereo outputs? If it does you should probably be using the Left one for mono recordings. Also there may be a small knob back there to adjust the output level, make sure this is turned up!

If the amp looks fine I'd plug the guitar directly into the soundcard (via the necessary adaptors) and see if you get a signal. If everything is OK you should hear something, if not there may be a problem with your card although judging by what you've said this seems unlikely.

Good luck!

San.

[Jo]

Were you using the same input on the soundcard for the tapedeck as well as your amp?

You may have to go into the recording settings of your soundcard and make sure that the line in is checked. Have you tried using the mic input, your pc may be set to default to record from the mic and not line in. The problem may just to be to check the right box.

The headphone output should work as well. I used to plug my Guitarport from the headphones out to the line in on my old SB Live card and had no problems with it, but then I never used the SB recording software, I used Cakewalk.

Odd! Doesn't make sense.

[zyx345]

The problem turned out to be that I had to turn the level on my tech 21 TM 10 amp up to 10 to get any signal out of the XLR Output. I didn't think to do that because I was using the amp to monitor the sound. I plugged a guitar cable into the headphone out to cut the speaker so it doesn't blow up & I was able to get a medium range signal.

[BoyMambo]

zyx345,

Can you post an MP3 with the results. I have a Tech 21 Travelmate 10 amp and I have not tried it yet.

Regards

David

[BoyMambo]

ZYX345,

I tried to create a sample MP3 of a direct record of the TM10. I fed the direct line into my mixer (Behringer UB1622FX-pro) which is connected to the sound card (RME PAD).

The drums were recorded an adrenalinn II, the rhythm guitar was direct to mixer for a Tele and a Strat using the TM10. These have been kept dry in the mix. There are two guitars doing a lead, both are recorded using the TM10, and direct in to mixer. The distorted guitar was recorded using the SRV standard settings. It sound pretty dry and dull, so in the mix I added a little chorus and probably way too much delay. The clean lead guitar is a Strat, with is recorded with the clean settings with the TM10 and has been left completely dry in the mix. I appeared to have pickup some flanging when I mooved to from wave to MP3. Finally, I apologise for my crap playing.

Some Notes. The Tele is currently strung with 9's and should be 10's, so I was generally unhappy with the sound of the tele rhythm. It generally sounded weak, and a little dead. The Strat and the McCarty worked best with the TM10, and I was particularly happy with TM10's clean sound. I think that the best sound have got so far is with my Fender 30, and this was mic'ed, so if I get some time I am going to try to record the TM10 using a mix of Direct Line, and my SM57 and Rode Condensor mics to see if this gives a little more ambience. On the old forum, some of the members said the TM10 amps sound really huge when connected to a external 2* 12 or 2 * 10 speaker box. This would also probably translate well when miked too.

TM10StratMcCarty.mp3 (http://www.BikeIT.com/Music/TM10StratMcCarty.mp3)

Regards

David

[tonyvenn]

Check out this item from Tech 21........

http://www.tech21nyc.com/xdi.html


I don't know th etechnical stuff...but I think it is what you need to attach to your soundcard.....

T.

[zyx345]

ZYX345,

I tried to create a sample MP3 of a direct record of the TM10. I fed the direct line into my mixer (Behringer UB1622FX-pro) which is connected to the sound card (RME PAD).

The drums were recorded an adrenalinn II, the rhythm guitar was direct to mixer for a Tele and a Strat using the TM10. These have been kept dry in the mix. There are two guitars doing a lead, both are recorded using the TM10, and direct in to mixer. The distorted guitar was recorded using the SRV standard settings. It sound pretty dry and dull, so in the mix I added a little chorus and probably way too much delay. The clean lead guitar is a Strat, with is recorded with the clean settings with the TM10 and has been left completely dry in the mix. I appeared to have pickup some flanging when I mooved to from wave to MP3. Finally, I apologise for my crap playing.

Some Notes. The Tele is currently strung with 9's and should be 10's, so I was generally unhappy with the sound of the tele rhythm. It generally sounded weak, and a little dead. The Strat and the McCarty worked best with the TM10, and I was particularly happy with TM10's clean sound. I think that the best sound have got so far is with my Fender 30, and this was mic'ed, so if I get some time I am going to try to record the TM10 using a mix of Direct Line, and my SM57 and Rode Condensor mics to see if this gives a little more ambience. On the old forum, some of the members said the TM10 amps sound really huge when connected to a external 2* 12 or 2 * 10 speaker box. This would also probably translate well when miked too.

TM10StratMcCarty.mp3 (http://www.bikeit.com/Music/TM10StratMcCarty.mp3)

Regards

David
Thanks David, thats a really cool clip. I definately think the Tech 21 TM 10 would benefit from mics to get a more organic recording sound. I'll try & create an MP3 & email it to you.

Lately I've been using a Digitech GNX3 hooked up to the Tech 21 TM 10's effects loop Return to get a louder recording sound. I mostly play high gain heavy music so this works better for me. I use the TM10's distiortions when I want a more organic bluesy sound.

[ksedore]

I use a SB Live 5.1 and have run into similar problems with seemingly 'dead' inputs. After racking my brain over possible problems with the sound card, I found the problem to be muted inputs within the Windows OS itself. Sounds stupid, but it's worth checking out. Just click the little speaker icon in the start tray to see which inputs are enabled and if any of them are muted.

Hope that helps,
KS