Ask Us Audio Studio Guide

Ableton Live

Ableton Live 11 is a professional grade Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that enables advanced recording, creation, and editing of audio projects.  You don't need to be an expert or have grand ambitions, however, to realize your ideas and create superior projects to what is possible in entry-level software like Audacity.  Below are illustrations of basic functions to get started with Ableton in the Research Commons Audio Studio:

In this section:

• Yeti microphone
• at2035 microphone
• Using the mpk mini MIDI keyboard
• Exporting tracks
• Learn more

Audio track inputs and outputs: Yeti microphone

Go to Configure for the individual track

From the Audio tab, choose the MME/Direct X Driver and Audio Input / Output devices as shown.  Remember to plug the studio headphones or your own into the bottom of the Yeti Microphone.

For Focusrite Controller (red unit) and at2035 condenser microphone

From the Audio tab of the configure screen, choose the ASIO Driver and Audio Input / Output devices as shown.  Remember to plug the studio headphones or your own into the Focusrite controller (red unit).

Be sure that "Auto" is activated so you hear yourself during recording and playback.

Using the mpk mini MIDI keyboard

Choose MPK Mini... from the drop down in a MIDI track

Select instruments, effects, etc. from the left pane to provide sounds for the keyboard to actualize

Exporting tracks from an Ableton set (project)

Select tracks (by clicking and dragging the mouse across them) and then go to File ->Export

Choose All individual tracks to render each individual track, and Master to render the entire project as one file; toggle Create Analysis File to Off; and choose WAV as File Type

To learn more:

Learning Ableton from Ableton

Audacity

Using Recording Software

The Yeti microphone will work with any of the recording software options we have available on this machine. The easiest and least complicated option installed is Audacity. You can find a shortcut to Audacity on the desktop when you log in.

Audacity Settings

Audacity should automatically detect the Yeti and default to its input and output (the headphone jack on the bottom of the Yeti microphone). But, if it doesn't you can adjust this very easily. 

In the main menu for Audacity, you should see four dropdown menus. Simply click the input (next to the microphone icon) and the output (next to the speaker icon) and select the Yeti from the list.

Preparing to Record

1. Open Audacity.
2. Make sure input and output are both set to the Yeti microphone.
3. Check microphone and settings:
   • Make sure the mic is not muted;
   • Make sure your headphones are plugged into the bottom of the mic;
   • Select the microphone type you want to use on the back of the mic (cardioid is recommended for a single voice recording)
4. Check your levels:
   • Above your input and output settings, click the text that says "click to start monitoring" (you should now be able to hear sound through your headphones);
   • While talking, adjust your distance, speaking volume, and gain setting on the back of the microphone until you're happy with the sound;
   • Watch for clipping
     • the bar that said "click to start monitoring" will show you your input and output levels visually
     • if, when you speak, the bar goes all the way to the right and is red, your input is too high. lower the gain knob.
     • if, when you speak, the bar barely moves, try turning the gain knob up
5. Lastly, try recording a basic track before you start your project. There's nothing worse than talking to yourself for 40 minutes only to find the sound wasn't ideal and you have to start over.

Recording a Basic Track

1. Open Audacity.
2. Make sure input and output are both set to the Yeti microphone.
3. Prepare a new track:
   • Look to the menu at the top and click on "tracks" > "add new" > and select "mono track".
4. Click record ⏺ and start talking.
5. Click stop ⏹ when you're finished.
6. To listen back, return the playhead to the beginning of your audio by clicking the rewind button ⏮ and then pressing play ▶.

Saving/Exporting your Work

• To save the project, go to File > save project. This will save the whole recording project so you can return to your work.
• To save your work as an audio file for playback, go to file > export > and select the desired format
  • MP3 files are compressed (smaller file size) 
  • WAV files are uncompressed (larger file size) but less likely to be playable on any device

Reaper

Reaper is an inexpensive digital audio workstation with high functionality and a less than intuitive interface.  However, those who like it, like it a lot.  If you are on a quest to be one of them, here are some tips.

Configuring audio inputs/outputs

Open the Options menu and choose preferences

For configuring the Yeti Blue microphone

Configuring the at2015 microphone