recording with Garage band and a mixer

Drummerdude · Post by **Drummerdude** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:43 pm

Do I need a driver of some sorts if I want to use a mixer with Garage band?
I am using Leopard/Mac and trying to record using a small mixer or Mbox. I get a signal on the mixer, but can't get any levels on the software. The Apple site is so completely useless they don't even address this issue.

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:19 pm

Dude, didn't a bunch of people already answer this question for you? I'll give it a shot.

Yes, you need to install drivers for the Mbox.

Then, you'll probably need to restart your computer.

Then, you need to do one or both of the following: 1) Go to the "Sound" control panel after launching "System Preferences" and choose "Mbox" as your sound input and sound output; 2) Choose "Preferences..." from the GarageBand menu in GarageBand, click on the Audio/MIDI icon and Mbox from the pop-up menus for both the Audio Input and Output.

These instructions assume you also wanted to listen to your recording through the Mbox and not your computer speakers. You can listen through the computer speakers if you want (by choosing "Internal Speakers" for the outputs) but you will likely get feedback if you turn monitoring on in GarageBand.

Good luck. Let me know if you still run into problems.

Drummerdude · Post by **Drummerdude** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:07 pm

Yes, of course. I've done all of this. Sorry I wasn't clearer.DRIVERS: where on earth do I get these things? I have googeled my ass off, searched, called friends in Phoenix, Nashville and Chicago who are all pro engineers and have come up empty. If there is a great God of drivers, I'll sell my soul for these devils!!!!

Lord of Oats · Post by **Lord of Oats** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:18 pm

Every time I've ever needed a driver, ever, it's been available for download on the manufacturer's web site.

Post by **Spud** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:28 pm

Yup, it's true. Digidesign's website has a download section. Uh huh. Uh huh.

Steve Durand · Post by **Steve Durand** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:37 pm

You said "small mixer OR Mbox".

Are you trying to use an actual Mbox or some other brand of mixer? Did you get the Mbox without any software?

Do you have ProTools installed? If so, you will probably have to uninstall it to get an Mbox to work with other software such as Garageband.

Here is a link to a discussion on the topic on the digidesign website.

http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.php?Number=1242338

Drummerdude · Post by **Drummerdude** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:53 pm

Ultimately I want to use my mixer so that I can record drums. Presently, I'm trying to use my MBox for the band. But really, was Garage Band designed to record with using just the crappy computer mike? Does anyone use a mixer to record with? If I download a driver for the MBox will it work with ANY mixer at all?

Lord of Oats · Post by **Lord of Oats** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:24 pm

I don't know anything about GB, but I'm sure there's somewhere that you can change the audio hardware setup. That's usually as easy as looking for it in the menu and selecting your device by name.

But really, I can't get a good idea of what you're trying to do from what you're saying. Unless your mixer is also a computer interface, you should be running your mixer to the box. Don't you have a computery friend that can come over for ten minutes and set everything up for you?

anti-m · Post by **anti-m** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:34 pm

Dude, I answered this question in the other thread you started.

http://www.songfight.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4914

Now put the bong down!

Lord of Oats · Post by **Lord of Oats** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:41 pm

I hate bongs.

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:01 pm

Lord of Oats wrote:I hate bongs.

You're Prejudice. You can't base your feelings of an entire product line because of a few bad bongs. I once had a bong desk lamp that was always there for me. It brightened my darkest days. It was a hoot at parties, always making everyone laugh, with that crazy lamp shade on it's head.
You sir, should start typing with one hand, because that statement is pure and simple stereo typing.
You should do something, but I can't quite remember what it is.

Project-D · Post by **Project-D** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:19 pm

Sounds like you need the stand alone Digidesign Core Audio drivers found here:

http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?lan ... emid=24268

This is assuming you are using OS X 10.4