So I went and bought an external soundcard, the E-MU 0404, to try and get some quality recording onto my laptop. My system is all digital with CDJ 800's and the DJM 800. After installing the software for the soundcard, and extensively reading both parts of the recording guide that Steele put together, I'm a bit frustrated to still not be able to record anything... and I think I know why, but wanted to get all your expert's opinions as well. My souncard has a coaxial SPDIF input, which I have connected to my mixer's "digital output", but there still seems to be no communication between my mixer and soundcard (I think). If this is the case, I have no idea where to go from here since I know my soundcard is properly linked to my laptop. My hunch however, is that because my CDJ's are connected to the mixer via analog RCA cables, the problem is actually between the tables and mixer since there is no digital information being sent to the mixer in the first place? Thus no digital info can get sent to the soundcard?

On a sidenote, I've noticed that my trim levels on my mixer have to be higher when using a digital connection to my tables, in order to get the same volume output. Whats that all about? I would have expected the opposite. And also, the soundcard came with Cubase... is this a comparable program to audacity for recording? Thanks for any input. If I don't get any responses, I'll go get a couple more SPDIF cables and test out my hunch...

Your hunch is wrong

Digital in or not, the signal always gets output digital as well.

Check to see if the e-mu accepts LINEAR PCM as an input signal on it's digital input. If it doesn't, there's your problem.

You may not have selected the right input for recording off of your e-mu - double check that. Also (and I know this sounds dumb) but double check that you have the e-mu selected in audacity in the first place.

As for cubase, it's nearly industry standard for recording. But it's a little much because it's designed for multi-track - stick with Audacity for now.

BTW, Steele == me. I'll help as much as I can. Pulse knows a bit more of the digital side of things though.

-r-

quote:

My system is all digital with CDJ 800's and the DJM 800.

quote:

My hunch however, is that because my CDJ's are connected to the mixer via analog RCA cables...

Not that it has anything to do with the problem, but if you're going "all digital", get yourself some digital interconnects!

quote:

...the problem is actually between the tables and mixer since there is no digital information being sent to the mixer in the first place? Thus no digital info can get sent to the soundcard?

No - the DJM800 has analog-to-digital converters on all of its inputs so even if you used a turntable, you can still output a digital signal from the mixer.

The volume level thing is because the DJM800 outputs digital at a pro-level (-19dB) for masses of overhead in not-clipping. You shouldn't turn anything "up", simply record at the low volume setting and boost it later in your recording software.

I'm pretty sure that the linear/non-linear PCM digital thing should be okay as most soundcards should (read: I'm not sure but can't see why they wouldn't) have the ability to accept either language.

The problem may be, as Ryan points out, that the source isn't properly identified. I know some soundcards (like anything from M-Audio) have their own "mixing control panel" to allow you to tinker with the input levels and audio routing. If your panel has the digital settings to "internal" or "optical", you may not even be getting audio thru the soundcard's bus. Check into that. Once you know it's GETTING audio, then verify that your software application is set to "listen" to the digital input on the soundcard and not any of the analog inputs.

Thanks guys... I'm feeling pretty humbled after making a dumb assumption and claiming "all digi"... I think you're are right, I'm not getting audio through the soundcards bus. Though, as far as I know, The source has been identified, and the digital settings are set to "external". My one piece of evidence to confirm there is something strange going on deals with the sync status;

I have my mixers digital out swithed to 96 hz, my soundcards control menu is set to 96 hz, and my software app. (audacity) is set to 96 hz. At the moment I click the microphone symbol in audacity to "monitor input", the sync level in my soundcard's control menu changes to 41.1 hz, and the relevant drop down menu grays out becoming unchangable, until I close out of audacity. Maybe this has nothing to do with the problem? Just thought it was wierd and I recall reading something about not getting any audio through if the mechanisms are out of sync with each other. Either way, I'll call E-MU support today at my lunch break but I fear nothing will get resolved.

Maybe if you guys have a second you can take a look at the pdf manual for the soundcard. Its pretty well written and diagramed... Can't tell you how much I appreciate any more advice.

SOUNDCARD MANUAL

-T

According to their phone messeage, E-MU only offers support via email... translation - no support? Any ideas what kind of professional I could contact to help remedy this via the phone or in person?

No, they'll support you through email as they say.

Pulse, wanna chime in here? Didn't you have something funny like this happening to you in Audacity as well?

Trelax, do you have any other way of monitoring input (another program (try Cubase!) or routing the output to some speakers)?

I'm looking at the manual now, I'll see what I can figure...

-r-

Ok, looking at teh manuals...

Make sure you've pushed the S/PDIF button so that "S/PDIF" and NOT optical is selected...

Make sure your synchronization source is set to "external" in the control panel (software)...

Check that the output sample rate of the mixer IS set to 96kHz (if I remember correctly you can change it via a switch on the back).

And, if you can, try inputting to the analog connections and see if you can record that way, just to try. That'll give you a hint as to where things are going funny as well.

-r-

Thanks Ryan,
I'll try all that tonight... but can you elaborate on your advice "inputting to the analog connections". Are you referring to the Soundcards inputs? If so, are the MIDI inputs analog? before I get bashed for asking that, I'm just unaware of any analog inputs on my external soundcard...

Also,
I just noticed at the bottom of the technical specs page:

** When connecting the 0404 USB to a USB 1.1 port on a Windows PC, performance will be limited to 16-bit and 44.1/48kHz recording and playback.

I have a feeling this might be one (if not the only one) of the issues... Thoughts? I have 3 USB inputs on my laptop. I'll try to find out if any are not 1.1 ports?

nevermind, all 4 ports are 2.0...

Well, I believe that card has some analog ins. No, midi is not analog.

You should be able to come out of your mixer using the "record" outs or the "master" outs and plug into the soundcard that way (not the master digital out) and see if you get anything...

-r-

I wish there were, but no analog ins. I'm just gonna go to guitar center with the card and my laptop and see if anyone there can help... or maybe come home with a different card. Throwin in the towel. Thanks though Ryan.