Poor recording from mixer using RCA to USB cable

[harveylax]

Yes that'r right, the N4 is versatile as it can act as hardware for software such as Serato, Virtual DJ and Traktor Pro (which is has its buttons and knobs auto mapped to correspond to features n the software, or you can use just as an analogue mixer...the music being converted in the N4 itself ( as the music output form the laptop is a USB to mini USB cable.

Thanks again

[Shaky]

I'm sure there is a way to do this directly from Serato (itch??) -- certainly it is possible in Traktor.

See here: http://serato.com/forum/discussion/226279

shannonharvey 4:34 PM - 2 February, 2010
Hello All,

I've read that Itch Allows for recording, but I for some reason or another cannot find this feature...can someone here direct me to a place that allows me to do this?

Thanks
kraal 4:42 PM - 2 February, 2010
look above the right deck on the screen... you will see a little 'REC' click on it and it will start recording....
name it and press save when done

Evin Kepik 5:32 PM - 2 February, 2010
And also, right next to the REC button, make sure MIX is selected. As that will record directly what you're hearing in the master out. Ensure that the recording meter level doesn't hit the red light (clipping) for optimal sound. To adjust it, there's a little knob icon which you can twist or you can always fine tune with your gain.

[harveylax]

Hi, yes I can use any software on my laptop to play out through a usb to the N4.

It literally acts as nothing mroe than an audio mixer unless used in conjunction with serato / traktor / virtual dj le.

[Shaky]

First of all apologies to Steve and Koz for having butted into this conversation, and done so without payng sufficiently close attention to page 1!

The problem as I see it is that your setup is wrong, and in fact so is your schematic functionally. What your N4 is actually doing is controlling the Serato/Virtual DJ/Traktor software running on your laptop.

I have never heard of a dual RCA to usb adaptor but you certainly don’t need it; the output from your DJ software is already ‘in’ the laptop, which I assume acts as your speaker in that setup. As a first step look for the option inside your DJ software to record your mixes natively.

And you would only use the N4's outputs to connect to an external amplifier, powered speakers, or to the **audio/analogue** input on a soundcard.

[harveylax]

HI Shaky, Yes you're quite right, the n4 is a Dj controller so it is controlling the audio software, the only problem is, is that the audio software (Serato DJ Intro) does not come with an inbuilt record function as its a free version of the software, much to my dismay.

Much more to my dismay, is that you cannot upgrade to Serato Itch as it is not compatible with the N4, therefore my only option is to record the Booth ouput from the n4. I'm starting to think that if I were to get an external soundcard, slip it in the setup between the Booth out and my laptop I would be abel to record good quality.

However the only reservation I have about this is that a lot of people have said I may have run out of audio pathways, which getting a soundcard will not fix (as it will still need its own audio pathway on it's way in to the laptop).

I've alaso looked into recording "what you hear" directly from the laptop, i.e. recording the sound output before it leaves the laptop, but this seems very difficult to do on Windows 7 for some reason.

The Dual RCA to USB converter cable comes with a copy of Audacity on disk (im not using that version as the newer one is more up-to-date) and an alternative sound recording software (the name escapes me) so, logically atleast, I should be able to record from line/output devices directly into my laptop using this cable, however the results are, as said before quiet, distorted and with no bass.

Let me know if you have any other sugestions, if not, I'm going to have to give a soundcard a try, although Im loathed to do it as that would toatl and expenditure of £120 with no guarantee of recording good wquality audio for my mixes.

Thanks again for al the help, and in advance for any thing welse you can do

[steve]

if not, I'm going to have to give a soundcard a try, although Im loathed to do it as that would toatl and expenditure of £120 with no guarantee of recording good wquality audio for my mixes.

The Behringer UCA 202 is surprisingly good for the price. You need to be careful about input levels, but as you would be going in from a mixer you should be able to control that - you can pick them up (new) for around $30 US.

[Shaky]

Steve's suggestion is probably the cheapest one you will find.

But an alternative I would seriously consider is switching to the newly released Traktor Pro 2.5, on which prices have been slashed compared to where they were not long ago at all.

You would then get the ability to record your mixes, plus a bunch of other features, and generally buy into one of the best established DJ platforms out there.

Why not download the free trial and see whether you think that justifies the additional cost?

[harveylax]

HI guys,

Thanks again for all the help.

SHaky I think i'll try your option first. I've been thinking of getting Traktor Pro for a few weeks now as i know that is comp[atible with the n4, professional software and it has an inbuilt record function.

If that doiesnt work I'll grab a soundcard, that Behringer one does osund like a bargain.

I'll get back to you with the results.

Thanks