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Media Production Studio - Getting Started

A guide for helping new users learn how to use software and hardware in Charles Library's Media Production Studio

Choosing Your DAW

Recording live instruments like guitar or drums requires a bit more setup and planing than working with virtual instruments. That being said, the mechanics are not dissimilar to podcasting, and we recommend starting with a straightforward DAW such as Audacity, Audition, or GarageBand. Choose a DAW that you will be able to access on your home computer or device in case you would like to make edits or changes outside of the Media Production Studio. To help you get started, we have included instructions for getting started recording with Audacity and Audition. There is also a link for Getting started recording instruments in GarageBand, which is also very user-friendly.

Instructional guides

Step 1: Getting Started

Focusrite Scarlett 8i8 USB Audio Interface

  • Ensure that the instruments andmicrophones are plugged into the Scarlett Interface.
  • Set the buttons on the bottom to “+48v.” only if you are using active condenser mics. If you are playing an instrument directly in or are mic'ing and instrument or amplifier, leave them off
  • Plug headphones into the jacks on the right side. Two headphones can be plugged in at once.
  • Make sure the interface is connected to the USB hub, and that the USB hub is connected to the machine of your choosing (Mac or PC).
  • Turn the Monitor knob all the way counterclockwise. 
  • Turn the headphone volume to the noon position.

Microphone Positioning

  • If you are using microphones, use only one per instrument. 
  • Use the baffles to divide microphone and prevent sound from crossing over between microphones.

Step 2: Setting Microphone Levels

Set the volume levels for each instrument/microphone individually. 

To set the volume level of a mic:

  1. On the Scarlett interface, find the volume knob for the instrument/microphone for which you would like to set levels.
  2. Play the instrument at normal volume and continue through the next 2 steps.
  3. Turn the volume knob on the Scarlett interface for the desired instrument/microphone clockwise until the light ring around it flashes yellow or red. 
  4. Slowly turn the volume knob counterclockwise until the light ring consistently flashes green. This will ensure that you will be recorded as loud as possible without being too high.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each instrument

Step 3: Recording

Audacity

We recommend that you do a test recording prior to each recording session. Listen back to the recording and adjust microphone volumes and other levels accordingly. 

  1. Double-click the “Audacity” audacity shortcut on the desktop to launch the program.
  2. Click the mic input drop-down and select the Focusrite Scarlett 8i8.
  3. Click the channels drop-down. Select the number of instruments/microphones being used.
  4. Click the Record button. New track(s) will begin recording and appear in the Timeline.
  5. Adjust the Scarlett volume knobs on the to finalize the levels. The ideal level is between -12 and -6 db. Each instrument should be tested individually.
  6. When done recording, click the Stop button. 
  7. Listen to the recording to check for errors. If needed, adjust the volume of the track(s) with the slider in the Track Controls.
  8. Navigate to File > Save Project > Save Project As.
  9. Rename the file, select a storage location, and click “Save.”  This will save a backup of the original recording in case it needs to be retrieved.
  10. Navigate to File > Export > Export as WAV.
  11. Rename the file, select a storage location, and click Save. The recording will be saved as an audio file.

Adobe Audition

  1. Double-click the “Audition” audacity shortcut on the desktop to launch the program.
  2. Click the Multitrack button to the top-left. A new window will appear.
  3. Adjust the following settings:
    • Session Name
    • Folder Location
    • Template: None
    • Sample Rate: 48000
    • Bit Depth: Highest Possible
    • Master: Stereo
  4. Click OK.
  5. Navigate to Adobe Audition > Preferences > Audio Hardware.
  6. Adjust the following settings:
    • Default Input: Select “Focusrite Scarlett 8i8”
    • Default Output: Select “Focusrite Scarlett 8i8”
    • I/O Buffer Size: 512 is selected by default. If there is a significant audio delay, or echo effect heard in the headphones, lower this number to reduce the delay.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Click “Default Stereo Input” on a track, hover over “Mono”, and select “Focusrite Scarlett 8i8”. Repeat this process to setup a track for each instrument/microphone being used. 
  9. Click the Arm For Record button, labeled as an “R,” on each tracks being used. Audio level meters will appear to the right for each activated track.
  10. Click the Record button, which looks like a red circle, in the Transport panel. The track will start recording. If you don’t see the Transport panel, navigate to Window > Transport and ensure “Transport” is checked.
  11. When done recording, click the Stop button, which looks like a white square, in the Transport panel. 
  12. Listen to the recording to check for errors. Make adjustments as needed.
  13. Navigate to File > Save As.
  14. Rename the file, select a storage location, and select “Audition Session (*.sesx)” from the Format drop-down menu. 
  15. Click OK. This will save a backup of the original recording in case it needs to be retrieved.
  16. Navigate to Multitrack > Mixdown Session to New File > Entire Session.
  17. Navigate to File > Save As.
  18. Rename the file, select a storage location, and select “waveform Audio (*.WAV)” from the Format drop-down menu.
  19. Click OK. The recording will be saved as a WAV audio file.

Step 4: Finishing Up

If working from the Studio computer, save project and audio files to a flash drive or OneDrive. When ready to edit, start a new Audacity or Audition project and import the audio file.

Additional Resources