- #AUDACITY FOR MAC AUDIO SETTINGS FOR LIVE MONITORING HOW TO#
- #AUDACITY FOR MAC AUDIO SETTINGS FOR LIVE MONITORING SOFTWARE#
In a live band this would be the drummer or lead guitar count-in. If you are not using Audacity's Rhythm Track, be sure to record a lead-in-a non-musical rhythmical clue before the music starts which warns you of the imminent start. which can be adjusted with its control panel for rhythm and composition it could be music from a rhythm and chord machine playing through a mixer. It can be anything including a Generate > Rhythm Track. The first recording can be whatever you are planning to use as a base, backing track, guide or rhythm track.
#AUDACITY FOR MAC AUDIO SETTINGS FOR LIVE MONITORING SOFTWARE#
Software Playthrough (on/off) is not checked.You are ready for your first overdubbing session.Ĭonfirm the following settings in the Transport menu: You can change this in Recording Preferences by checking " on" the " Record on a new track", doing this will make Audacity record on a new track with just the Record button and Shift and will append record onto your existing track.Ĭhoose File > Close (you do not need to save any of your tests).In order to record on a new track, for multi-track overdubbing, you will need to use Shift and the Record new track button, or use its shortcut Shift + R.In Audacity by default using the Record button will append record onto your existing track, see the Recording page.
#AUDACITY FOR MAC AUDIO SETTINGS FOR LIVE MONITORING HOW TO#
For example, if you are recording a keyboard track, latency is the delay between the time you strike a key and the time that note is recorded.įor instructions on how to adjust the latency see the Latency Test page in the manual. Latency refers to the delay between the time the audio enters the computer and the time Audacity is able to record it to a track. If you need help, post a message on the Audacity Forum. This tutorial cannot cover every possible hardware configuration. If you cannot hear your live voice or instrument simultaneously with the playback you are not ready to begin overdubbing. This demonstrates what you will hear during the overdub sessions any combination of existing tracks will play in your headphones in addition to your live voice or instrument, allowing you to play along with the existing tracks. You should be able to year your voice or instrument along with the playback. While listening to the playback of your test recording, talk into the microphone or play your instrument. Live microphones and speakers in the same room is a recipe for feedback.įirst, make a simple recording with no overdubbing or other fancy tricks your system must work correctly for simple recording and playback before we go further.
You must get the headphone sound from the USB audio adapter, output on the USB microphone or headphone jack on the mixer, not from the computer headphone output. If you require cranium-crushing headphone volume you may need a headphone amplifier. Most USB microphones do not include this capability.Īlmost any Windows, Mac or Linux machine with fast enough USB and good storage can be used. In every case the device must include the ability to mix the live sound with the previously-recorded tracks and present that mix at a headphone output jack. It is strongly recommended that you do not use your computer's built-in microphone.Īdvice on connecting and testing several specific hardware combinations are available at Tutorial - Recording Multi-track Overdubs. If your USB microphone, USB audio adapter or mixer does not have a headphone output you should follow the advice on Overdubbing using your computer's on-board sound card using the hardware you have on hand. The procedure is similar for any USB audio adapter, USB microphone or mixer providing that it has a headphone output and some way to mix the live signal with the computer playback signal and present that mix at the headphone output. Live monitoring is often unavailable (or you hear yourself in the headphones after a delay) without hardware designed for this purpose.
With the methods described here you will be able to hear a mix of your live recording and the previous tracks simultaneously in your headphones.
You record one track then play it back and add a second track against it: drums, guitar, voice, other instruments or voices and repeat as needed. This tutorial describes a method of creating a multiple sound track overdubbing session using Audacity.