Dubbing Audio in the Adv. Dub Room The MC1319 Dubroom is equipped with an Audio Rack for dubbing audio from common audio formats to digital files. This dubbing guide is a step by step manual for using the Advanced Dubroom to using the audio rack. Audio formats available in the advanced dubroom 1. 2. 3. 4. Audio Cassette (Cass) Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Nagra (1/4 tape) imac for dubbing digital audio files to a tape based format 5. Magnetic 16mm play head 6. Magnetic 16mm record head Page 1 of 5
Extron Matrix Switcher Controls 1. Power on the Furman power conditioner via the switch at the top right of the audio rack. 2. Use the top row of buttons to select the source (input). The available sources are cassette(cass), DAT, Nagra (1/4 tape), the imac, the Mag play head and the Mag record head. 3. Use the bottom row to select the destination (output). The available outputs are the imac, cassette, DAT, Nagra (1/4 tape), the Mag record head, and the Yamaha Receiver/speakers (AMP). For example, to record audio from a cassette tape to the imac, press the CASS button on the top row, and imac and AMP on the bottom row. Each button will light up in red. You can select two outputs--the record destination (e.g. imac, cassette) and AMP to monitor sound through the speakers. 4. Press ENTER when source, destination (and AMP) have all been selected. The buttons will no longer light up. Adjust Audio Levels To adjust the output level of the source, hold the AUDIO button until it flashes, select the source that you want to adjust, then use the VIEW and ESCs buttons to adjust the audio level--the buttons will become the meter and light up in green to indicate the level. Press ENTER when done. Note: you can further adjust the record level at the destination via the record level knobs on the DAT recorder, cassette deck, etc. or via software on the imac. Yamaha Receiver Controls Make sure that the receiver is on and that AUX is the selected input. Be aware that the volume knob only affects monitoring volume of the receiver/amp--it has no effect on the output level or record level. *If you don t hear any audio make sure that the Speakers A button has been pressed (on the bottom left of the receiver) Focusrite Scarlett Controls The Scarlett 18i8 has a power switch on the back right of the unit. The main output of the audio rack is directly connected to INPUTS 1 & 2 on the front of the Focusrite Scarlett interface, which is in turn connected to the imac via USB. Audio Input knobs Dubbing from the Extron does not typically require the gain to be turned up on the interface, it should be set to 0, but if you choose to amplify the input, remember to amplify both left and right inputs equally, so that your stereo-image will remain intact Notice that the input knobs will light up once an active Signal is playing through the inputs. Page 2 of 5
Using Audacity to Record Audio Configure the Extron Switcher On the Extron Switcher, select the CASS output and route to the imac and the AMP. configure audacity In Audacity, select Built-In as your Output Device and Scarlet 18i8 as your input device, and configured to 2 (Stereo) Recording Channels You can monitor the input by clicking on the input meters, or selecting the microphone and selecting Start Monitoring. Cue your Audio and Record Make sure the levels are good for recording(goldilocks, not too loud not too low), then cue your audio to the beginning of your recording and pause it. Hit record in Audacity, it will automatically create a stereo track and begin recording then press play on the Cassette Deck. Once your recording is complete, go to File > Export Audio Specify the Destination location, Format, and FileName for your recording. You will then have an opportunity to add Meta Data to the file such as Artist Name, Album, etc. This is useful if you were to import this file into a Music Library, such as itunes. Page 3 of 5
Using Adobe Audition to Record Audio Configure the extron switcher On the Extron Switcher, select the CASS output and route to the imac and the AMP. You ll need to use the AMP to listen and cue your Source, as Audition does not monitor inputs the way we are using it. configure Adobe Audition audio hardware Go to File > Preferences > Audio Hardware Make sure Audition s input is set to: Scarlett 18i8 USB and set the output to: Built-in Output Secondarily, your I/O buffer size should not be set too high: Less than 512 samples is better for recording. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 supports sample rates of: 44.1 khz, 48 khz, 88.2 khz, 96 khz, 176.4 khz, 192 khz but for the purposes of Audio dubbing 48kHz is all you will need. Create New blank Audio File Once the audio hardware is properly configured, go to File > New > Audio File... The settings we are using here is common for many video projects: 48000(48kHz), 24 bit. Monitor inputs and record The way we have audition is setup, we will not be able to listen-in on the inputs via the built-in output. This is why you will need to use the Yamaha Amplifier to playback your audio tape, and to cue your recording. Meter Input Signal It is a good idea to monitor your audio meters during this time as well to make sure the audio levels are loud enough but not clipping. To turn on input meters, Right Click on the Audio Meters and select Meter Input Signal Once your audio levels are correct and your source is cued Hit the record button in Audition and play your Source. You should see a waveform and frequency analysis diagram populate. Page 4 of 5
Using Adobe Audition to Record Audio (cont.) Adding MetaData (optional) Adobe Audition has a Metadata panel for adding information about the Artist, Title, etc., It s useful for adding audio to a sound library such as itunes, WinAmp, etc., Save your file Once your recording is complete. Save your file, either as a.wav or AIFF, either are apppropriate and will work well in any post-production workflow. Do note that our export settings here mirror that of the recording session, 48000 Hz, at 24 bits Page 5 of 5