How to Record Sound

Equipment & Software

The require equipment for this tutorial is in the BFA Fine Arts Sound Studio, room 219H)

Microphone (Aston Spirit Mic and/or the Earthworks Icon Pro are in the Sound Studio already.
Focusrite Clarett 8-Pre Audio Interface
Mac Studio with DAW software (Adobe Audition, Apple Logic, Ableton Live, etc).
Monitor Controller
Headphones

General Technique

Check that the Mic is plugged in to Input 1 and that the 48V phantom power is on. The red LED should be lit.
When you speak into the mic, you should see levels on the Focusrite’s VU meter. If not, try adjusting the channel 1 level knob.
Open your DAW software and create a new audio file project. Check in the software preferences that the Audio Input and Output are set to the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre.
Create a new mono audio track and assign its source to Channel 1 from the Focusrite. You should now see levels on the track peak meter.
Enable Recording and Input Monitoring on your track.
Look at the Presonus Monitor Station and check that your inputs are set to ST1. Turn on the ‘Mute’ button to prevent feedback from the monitors going into the mic. Monitor through the headphones.
When you feel ready, start recording on the DAW software, and your recorded audio should start populating the track you created.
Pay attention to your levels. If your VU meters are ‘peaking’ or turning red, adjust your recording level down. You can do this either in the software or on the front of the Focusrite Interface.
Check that the Mic is plugged in to Input 1 and that the 48V phantom power is on. The red LED should be lit.

Specific Technique when recording with Adobe Audition

Put on headphones and mute the monitors.

Look at the Presonus Monitor Station and check that your inputs are set to ST1. Turn on the ‘Mute’ button to prevent feedback from the monitor speakers going into the mic. Listen through the headphones. If you don’t hear your mic input, toggle the ‘cue’ switch under your headphone plug.

Connect your Mic

Check that your preferred microphone is plugged in to Input 1 or 2 and that the 48V phantom power is on.

The red LED should be lit.

Check your levels

When you speak into the mic, you should see levels on the Focusrite’s VU/Level meter. If not, try adjusting the channel 1 level knob until you do see levels on the meter.

Open Audition

Open Adobe Audition and create a new Multitrack Session. Check in the software preferences that the Audio Input and Output are set to the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre.

If you want to record with the Aston Mic, set the input for Track 1 to come from Input 1 on Focusrite Thunderbolt. If you want to record with the Earthworks mic, Set the input for Track 1 to come from Input 2 on Focusrite Thunderbolt.

Arm track to Record

Clicking the 'R' button on your track header in Audition enables your track to record in the next step. Clicking the 'I' button allows you to monitor the incoming audio in your headphones while it is being recorded.

Roll Tape!

Clicking the main recording button will start recording audio on any track that is armed for recording (and has an audio input defined).

It is possible to record into multiple audio tracks simultaneously, with multiple microphones and/or instruments.

Pay attention to your levels. If your VU meters are ‘peaking’ or turning red, adjust your recording level down. You can do this either in the software or on the front of the Focusrite Interface.
Once you record your clip, you can move it to another track and record something else. If you double-click the clip, it will open in ‘Waveform’ mode, where you can add effects or do other sound processing (e.g. EQ, noise reduction, normalization).
When you are happy with your arrangement, you can export it as a single, mixed stereo audio file by choosing ‘File -> Export ->Multitrack Mixdown -> Entire Session.

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