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1966 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Jul 20, 2011 8:51 AM by jfu222 RSS
merman_96 Just Startin'
merman_96
34 posts since
Feb 12, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jun 16, 2011 6:40 AM

HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

I consider myself to have more than average experience with modern recording techniques, but by no means an expert. I have been mutitracking with computers since the Atari 1040 st, DR T's, Cubase, and now use Logic Studio on an imac.

 

So, I have tried many different ways to record my guitar using the HD 500 USB Audio Interface, and have never had useable results. My best results have been to bypass the USB interface, run out the Balanced to my Apogee Duet via Firewire into Logic, or Garageband. The problem is the audio from HD 500 USB Audio Interface is too low. When I increase the recording input to good levels, the sound is unusable. Adjusting the Actual Amp Models  Volume changes the overall tone, and still doesnt give a useable level.However the USB Audio interface for my Roland GR-55 has very flexible levels, and always gives useable results.

 

I dont want to relegate the HD 500 for only Live playing use. With headphones or through my Tech 21's the Modeling tones of the HD 500 appear far superior to the GR-55, (or my other Roland Modeling Gear VG-88 v2.0, VG 99), but when I go to record tracks, I use the GR-55 merely because of the ease.

 

For certain types of tones where I want to get a more realistic Speaker sound, I will Mic the Tech 21's and run the mic into Duet into Logic. The HD 500 really shines this way, but 90% of the tracks dont need this extensive set up.

 

Does any body have a suggestion? Have a missed a setting where the USB audio output level can be independently adjusted? I have changed the output settings but find Studio to be best, and of course the Master volume has no effect on USB audio, (as far as I can tell).

 

Any suggestioons are welcome.

  • mcolquitt Just Startin'
    mcolquitt
    186 posts since
    Nov 14, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 5, 2011 6:27 PM (in response to merman_96)
    Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

    Hey there, Let's see if I can help. I use my HD500  with great result and I have never utilized the USB hd500 ASIO driver to do so. I am not familiar with your Apogee but I am sure that it is the same basic formula as all pro and semi pro interfaces. I use the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra.

     

    What I do is I go out of the 1/4 inch left/right mono outs on the hd500 directly into two channels of my mixing console which then ultimately has the main outs connected to my M-Audio soundcard. So in other words, I use my interface (m-audio) drivers for recording and latency and so on and completely disregard the HD500 ASIO drivers.

     

    Nowhere does it say you will get better results from using the HD500's ASIO drivers and USB connectivity for recording needs. I have found over the years the most stable audio drivers are the ones that come with the various pro/semipro interfaces.

     

    I am certain your apogee has excellent drivers. Use those.

     

    Does this help?

     

    Mark

  • rockstarscat Just Startin'
    rockstarscat
    2 posts since
    Aug 8, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jun 29, 2011 7:56 PM (in response to merman_96)
    Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

    I use Sonar x1 producer as my DAW of choice with VR-100 audio interface. yamaha HS80m  with the HS10w.  (these power monitors are a great investment)  I'm doing the same with the left & right 1/4 " outs from the HD 500. I have the same issue when I use the HD-500 as an audio interface via usb (no volume)

    can anyone help us find a better way to adjust the volume when using HD 500 as an audio interface?

    need more suport for cakewalk and HD-500 kinda doesn't work right with this product (sonar x1 pro)

    • mcolquitt Just Startin'
      mcolquitt
      186 posts since
      Nov 14, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 30, 2011 5:07 PM (in response to rockstarscat)
      Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

      Why is it important to use the HD500 as your soundcard as well? You  won't get better results. Don't you want to get the easiest pathway to the best results? If your answer is yes...then don't use the HD500 as your interface...simple.

       

      mark

      • merman_96 Just Startin'
        merman_96
        34 posts since
        Feb 12, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jul 2, 2011 6:52 AM (in response to mcolquitt)
        Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

        Hmmm,..well, I agree that the HD500 might not be a better "direct" recording audio interface than my Apogee, but it is an alternative, and a possible quicker/easier one, and I assumed it would

        provide a usable recording level. But that purpose really was not a consideration when purchasing. I bought it because the amp models sound more realistic than any other unit in its price range.

         

        However, when using an additional Analog to digital convertor, I am, it seems, converting twice.

        So, the options for "direct" recording are: the unit can send directly converting once, or the output from the balanced/unbalanced outputs, (one conversion)  are then sent to Apogee, (second conversion).

         

        Of course, as I mentioned, for some tracks, converting once through the balanced/unbalanced outputs to a powered speaker, or through Line 6 Link to my DT 50, then miking the speaker, and converting through my Apogee is the desired method. But to me, at least, the original conversion here is not a concern as I don't consider this "direct" recording.

         

        I have three Apogee interfaces currently, (pictured below One, Jam, and Gio) and the new Duet 2 on order. They are fantastic, and work great with the HD500, or even direct from my Guitar 1/4 inch when using Logic Studio, Garageband, or Podfarm II.

         

        IMG_0097.jpg

         

        I guess my original concern was more about me either missing a setting that adjusted my output level over USB, (the Roland GR-55 and all of the Apogee Interfaces have such a setting), possibly having a faulty unit, or had I just met the limitations of this unit.

         

        I dont think there is an issue with this unit, it is awesome. I still have a feeling that eventually I will realize that something is not set properly in my recording software, (maybe involving monitoring) that is the problem.

         

        Thanks, for all replies

  • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
    silverhead
    9,592 posts since
    Apr 1, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 2, 2011 7:47 AM (in response to merman_96)
    Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

    Hmmmm .... it's unusual that the usb audio level is problematic for recording. While I don't have an HD500 I do use the USB audio for recording with an HD400 and HD Bean quite successfully, and I know several others who use the HD500 successfully also. So perhaps you are right - it's something in your setup that's not quite right.

     

    I know you are very experienced with audio recording, and I don't mean to disrespect that, but sometimes a fresh look at some basic troubleshooting can uncover something you may be overlooking. So forgive me if I start with the basics.......

     

    I would first make sure that the usb connection is reliable. Are you able to use HD500 Edit successfully? What about downloading and installing HD500 firmware updates - have you done that successfully? If neither of these is problematic then I think we can safely assume that your usb connection is working properly.

     

    Next I would make sure that my DAW's audio setup specifies the HD500 and its ASIO driver as the audio input/output device. I would disconnect other external soundcards (i.e. your Apogee) to remove any potential conflict or confusion within your DAW.

     

    When arming a track for recording, make sure you select the appropriate record input. The HD500 has three options: the L channel, R channel, or the stereo mix. Make sure this selection is properly reflected in your HD500 preset settings. There are many ways that this could go wrong: for instance, if your preset uses only one path (no dual path/amp), and the mixer for that path is panned full L, and your DAW's Record Input selects the HD500 R channel - then you won't get much if any signal coming into your DAW.

     

    I suspect you've already checked these things out, but it's worth a second look. At the very least you can confirm that these things check out and we can try to proceed from there.

    • merman_96 Just Startin'
      merman_96
      34 posts since
      Feb 12, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 3, 2011 6:37 AM (in response to silverhead)
      Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

      Silverhead, Thanks for your advice, I am surely not disrespected. I love the forums and I ask for advice for just these reasons.

       

      So,..I have re-thought my setup, (I am having some free time because of the July 4 holiday), and after much trial and error, I believe I have found the culprit, or at least a work around.

       

      I have selected My five most used Patches on the HD 500, your basic Clean, Crunch, Bad, Badder, and Baddest, (in simple terms), and copied them to vacant User 2 locations and added "rec" to the name to identify that they are modified for recording. I then increased the Path A, and Path B outputs in the mixer section, by an average of 2.5 dbs.

       

      This brought up the levels hitting the Recording software, but in no noticable way effecting the tone.

       

      In a way, this is the same adjustment I make with my Apogee, or GR-55. The Apogee has a seperate Software mixer called Maestro, and on the GR-55, it is basically the USB output. I just needed to look at the problem differantly for the HD 500. It is modeling amps, effects etc, and then hits its internal mixer.

       

      I recorded several quick pieces, using this method, and the GR-55, with similar Amp models, adjusting the Mixer output, until the levels were equalled. There is no excess noise, the tones are not effected by the mixer output, with the only difference being that the HD 500 models are superior to the GR-55's,..success.

       

      Eventually I will edit ALL of my patches this way, and not have to duplicate for the Recording models.

       

      Thanks for all of the tips.

  • jfu222 Just Startin'
    jfu222
    3 posts since
    Jul 18, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 20, 2011 8:51 AM (in response to merman_96)
    Re: HD500 USB Audio Recording volumes

    Thank you for the tips!

     

    Is there a way to output to the apoggee though?

     

    Would be nice to simply INPUT the hd500, but contiune to hear the output signal from Logic via my apogee Duet.

     

    This way I don't have to wear headphones. Also it sounded like EVERY track was being processed through the hd500 patch.

     

    Am I doing something wrong?

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