PC based DAW

[Arthur]

I have acquired a PC based DAW system and need help how to configure hardware and software. There are many 'pull down' screens in Cubase, MOTU, Ensoniq, and several setting on 01V to be configured, such as wordclock, mic audio recording etc.
Will appreciate any help someone can give in a 'step by step' configuring format.
Thank you.
Arthur@infowest.com

System consists of:
1. Ensoniq EPS
2. Yamaha 01V w/ADAT card.
3. MOTU Mk II 2408 w/ PCI-324 card
4. MIDIsport 2x2
5. PC computer ASUS MB, Pent III 667,
lots of RAM, burner, scsi, CDRom, Burner
etc. etc.
6. Cubase VST - WavLab software

[Easto]

No offense buckeroo but you're asking for a lot. Why not pick one and we'll go from there.

Is this the first time you've ever dealt with these programs? If so I would suggest downloading the PDF files for each one off the web, read them, and then start with the questions.

Sorry, I'm not trying to be rude at all. You've just thrown out a pretty big order here. If anyone wants to chastise me for this answer then go ahead.

[Arthur]

Didn't realize I had asked such a large question. but if you can help one step at a time, then I will start by asking why:
1. Is the Ensoniq keyboard wired into the system from 3 directions. (this is where it all begins)
a. MIDI in/out to MIDIsport 2x2.
b. Stereo analog out of keybrd to ch 9-10 on 01V... to hear direct sound...
c. Ensoniq has an '8 Out expander' that has 8 analog outs going to the MOTU and the out of the MOTU into Ch. 1-8 of the 01V.

Seems like there is some redundancy here... but that is the way the system came...?

thanks for any advice.


Originally posted by Easto:
No offense buckeroo but you're asking for a lot. Why not pick one and we'll go from there.

Is this the first time you've ever dealt with these programs? If so I would suggest downloading the PDF files for each one off the web, read them, and then start with the questions.

Sorry, I'm not trying to be rude at all. You've just thrown out a pretty big order here. If anyone wants to chastise me for this answer then go ahead.

[bubba freaktree]

the other person has the right idea. start with the basics and then build on.

your basics are this: you need to get your audio out of the computer. you can't make music if you don't hear it. it's the first requirement.

so, start with your 2408/pci-324, since that is your signal path out of the computer. load a simple file into cubase and see if you can get it to output to the motu hardware properly. motu doesn't support pc nearly as much as apple; their drivers aren't paid as much attention to on the pc platform.

so you might have problems with your motu right from the start. adding the yamaha mixer and any outboard midi box will only confuse the issue.

i personally have been selling off my motu gear to apple users, as i have been moving over to pc. if you are using the motu as a simple adat throughput to your o1-v, you may want to look into a simple digital soundcard that is pc-based and known to work well with cubase. then sell off your motu box, and run straight into your o1-v adat digital input. you'll probably come out with some money left over and your life will be simplified.

i'm sure you didn't buy your equipment randomly, so you probably have some use for the 2408 that i'm not thinking of off the top of my head. but in any event, motu isn't an automatic success on pc by any stretch of the imagination.

i've gotten pretty good with loading cards and drivers and stuff. but even with the latest drivers, my motu pci-324/1224's were not happy at all on my pc. so i let them go to apple people (where they belong). right now i'm pondering all sorts of ad-da solutions. fortunately, there are many excellent solutions for the pc. i just haven't figured out my recipe yet.

some people get perfectly acceptable results with motu hardware on pc, but certainly not everyone.

[Arthur]

Hello Bubba.
Thanks for message. Other than the first message stating the "I was asking too much", I am of course, disappointed that no one wrote to me about this system with any answers. I have made some progress and feel that one day I will have it figured out and operating perfectly... and when that day comes, I will know all the answers... and how to set all the gear. And when this day arrives, I will be more than happy to share it with anyone that asks. And it will seem simple then... Step #1 = do this. Step # 2, do this.. etc. To be sure, its a complicated menagerie, but it will also be a conclusive step by step procedure that will create successful operation.

I have concluded that either people don't want to share info, or perhaps they just don't know about this setup/configuration... Either way, your opinions seem logical and correct to me...

Between MOTU, 01V, MidiSport, Ensoniq, and Cubase, (and the myriad of other products on the market) the configuration settings and multiples therein are numerous to say the least... add to that your input about MOTU and PC not mating well... that MOTU only makes all their gear for Mac's... it certainly is alot confusing info to absorb, and aligning all the 'pulldown' menus/windows/configurations... its a nightmare... (another thing people say is: "read the manuals"... some of the manuals go on and on, and then off on tangents that would Rainman confused, or you can say some of the manuals are like the box of tooth picks on the floor... and just about as irritating...)

Anyway friend, your advice, opinions, and input are very much appreciated... and I think you are on the money...

I will end this letter by presenting a problem, referring to first message suggesting that I just ask one question at a time:

"I am able to record audio on tracks 1 & 2 of Cubase... but audio will not record on any of the other 6 remaing audio tracks".

(so I could say that by trial and error, and what I consider to be spending an excess of time to figure out, I have managed to have Cubase record MIDI on 8 tracks, and AUDIO on two tracks. That is as far as I've got so far... what someone of expertise could do in several hours, or a day or two has taken me two weeks... but better late than never... and now after all this... if I never use the system for anything productive, I'm determined to learn how to operate it... and little by little I'm learning...)

So in conclusion, now that I've asked only one question... I'm curious to see if I get an answer...
Thanks again Bubba.

Arthur.

PS. Tomorrow I'm also writing an email to Yamaha and MOTU techsupport... to see if they can answer this question.