Audacity and Roland D5

Hello,

I just downloaded Audacity 2.1.2. to my MacBookPro with Yosemite OS.

Then I imported a short mp3 file with a preexisting musical recording.

I’m trying to add an additional track from Roland D5 linear synthesizer.

I’m not outputting MIDI data sequence but a simple audio signal.

For this I purchased T-Connect USB cable (headphone jack to USB). I’m using Line Output from my keyboard.

Although I see it registered as C-Media USB Headphone Set (?) in my Mac System Preferences window, the Audacity software doesn’t allow me to change the input from its pre-set Mic option. Therefore I can record my voice for example but not the much needed piano melody.

What am I doing wrong?

I’d greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Vlad

Just going from the words, you have an adapter that provides a stereo headphone connection and a mono microphone connection suitable for a computer headset or stand-alone computer microphone.

I use an ICUSBAUDIO from Startech to do the same thing.

Neither of these has a place to connect a high-volume stereo audio cable for recording.

I use a Behringer UCA-202 to record my stereo sound mixer. It’s a bi-directionial stereo USB interface of good quality and low cost. It’s certified for Audacity overdubbing/sound-on-sound because of its zero latency headphone connection.

We reviewed other similar interface devices.

https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/sound-card-reviews/8375/1

Koz

Thank you for your speedy reply!

Are you saying that T-Connect is not the right choice?

Is my output too low or too high? (I’m not an audio specialist).

I checked Amazon and some folks have issues with Behringer’s quality.

Vlad

change the input from its pre-set Mic

That’s because it doesn’t have anything but the microphone input. These interfaces are used with a computer microphone.

Or a headset (I guess they’re calling it a Headphone Set) A Headset is a matched set of microphone and headphone.

Those were taken when that process was done with two different plugs. It can all be done with one now.

In both cases the microphone signal is mono (one blue wave) and really, really tiny. Unless it says so, two signals (stereo) at high volume (Mixer output) is going to be damaged through missing parts and high volume distortion. It’s just the wrong adapter.

Our experience has been of Behringer supplying very high quality equipment through personal use, multiple users and purchases. What’s the address of the comments critical of Behringer?

The forum did collect and published comments on other interfaces.

Whatever you decide on, make sure it says in clear English that it supports Stereo Line signals for recording. Don’t fall for the “Mic-Line” phrase. That’s a nonsense term the makers use to try to fool you into buying their product—unless the documentation says the unit can switch. Such adapters do exist.

Koz

Whatever USB audio device you use, it must be connected before you launch Audacity.

If you connect the device after Audacity is open, use Transport > Rescan Audio Devices from the top of the Audacity menus.


Gale