Need help recording to existing mp3's

[vertsk8r]

Hi,

I have some backing drum & bass tracks (mp3's) that I use for live band performing. We don't have a bass player or drummer and these backing tracks work great. The backing tracks are on my ipod and we basically play along to them live. I have a Roland Fantom X-7 Workstation/Keyboard that I should be able to record sound effects, horns, etc. to the backing tracks on audacity which will further enhance our sound, but I'm having trouble doing so. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Vert

[steve]

I have a Roland Fantom X-7 Workstation/Keyboard that I should be able to record sound effects, horns, etc. to the backing tracks on audacity which will further enhance our sound, but I'm having trouble doing so.

Can you be more specific about what you are having trouble with.

[livewyre]

If you can link your iPod to your PC for audio input, and do the same with your keyboard, then you should be able to use the multi-track techniques as done in this example:
http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/DIY/vocal.php
This is geared towards vocals and condenser mic's but the principles are the same...

[vertsk8r]

I have a Roland Fantom X-7 Workstation/Keyboard that I should be able to record sound effects, horns, etc. to the backing tracks on audacity which will further enhance our sound, but I'm having trouble doing so.

Can you be more specific about what you are having trouble with.

I plug my keyboard into my computer via usb port, import a mp3 that I want to record to, click on "New Audio Track", press "record", and I don't get any signal from my keyboard to the new recording track. The recording meters don't seem to be picking up any signal at all. I have tried and tried to work this out but to no avail. Thanks, vert

[steve]

Check the keyboard manual. I suspect that the keyboard does not send audio through the USB cable. The USB cable is most probably for midi data and not audio. If so, you will need to plug an audio output from the keyboard into a "Line level input" on your sound card (not a microphone input because microphone inputs are about 1000 x too sensitive).

If your sound card does not have a line level input, there are good quality USB sound cards with line level inputs available at very reasonable prices. (The Behringer UCA 202 and the Erirol UA-1EX are inexpensive and often get recommendations on this forum).

[vertsk8r]

Check the keyboard manual. I suspect that the keyboard does not send audio through the USB cable. The USB cable is most probably for midi data and not audio. If so, you will need to plug an audio output from the keyboard into a "Line level input" on your sound card (not a microphone input because microphone inputs are about 1000 x too sensitive).

If your sound card does not have a line level input, there are good quality USB sound cards with line level inputs available at very reasonable prices. (The Behringer UCA 202 and the Erirol UA-1EX are inexpensive and often get recommendations on this forum).

Thank you, and you are exactly right about that. I now have a Lexicon Alpha interface and it works. But now I have a different problem - When I click to record I am able to record what I want and it plays it back beautifully, but as soon as I click the record button all I get is very loud static, possibly white noise?, and I can barely hear my keyboard or the existing track that I am recording to. How do I get rid of this awful noise? Thanks Steve, Vert

[steve]

When I click to record I am able to record what I want and it plays it back beautifully, but as soon as I click the record button all I get is very loud static,

Sorry I don't understand what you mean - could you have another go at explaining (more words may be needed).

[vertsk8r]

When I click to record I am able to record what I want and it plays it back beautifully, but as soon as I click the record button all I get is very loud static,

Sorry I don't understand what you mean - could you have another go at explaining (more words may be needed).

Forget what I said before, I downloaded the Beta version of Audacity and it seemed to want to work at first, but now when I click "record" it won't record... a latency window comes up and says that the latency is causing the problem. I don't know how to fix it. I'm so lame...could you please call me? 2085782260 I need help vert

[steve]

Search for the file "audacity.cfg" and delete it (on Windows it is a hidden file, so you need to include hidden files in the search).
Then restart Audacity. It will now be back to how it was when you first installed it (and you say that when you first installed it you could record, so cross your fingers and all being well that will fix it.

I don't think that you really want to accept reverse charges on an international phone call.

[vertsk8r]

Search for the file "audacity.cfg" and delete it (on Windows it is a hidden file, so you need to include hidden files in the search).
Then restart Audacity. It will now be back to how it was when you first installed it (and you say that when you first installed it you could record, so cross your fingers and all being well that will fix it.

I don't think that you really want to accept reverse charges on an international phone call.

I deleted that file and nothing changed. What I am getting when I click to record is a window that says:

Latency Problem

Latency correction setting has caused the recorded audio to be hidden before zero.
Audacity has brought it back to start at zero.
You may have to use the Time Shift Tool or F5 to drag the track to the right place.

I have the latency setting on factory setting: 100 / -130

Sorry to bother you with this, Thank you very much vert