Usb guitar cable + backing track mixing.

I'm trying to do the following with little success so far:
A sample test case:
Input:
electric bass plugged into via usb cable (shows up as C-Media USB headphone set)
youtube video (via firefox, etc) or any sound file (via moc, etc).
Output:
headphones via motherboard out.
I can listen to youtube videos just fine through headphones and can simul play music if I desire.
I can record the electric bass via audacity and play back through headphones.
However I can't figure out how to monitor/mix in the bass real time.
I tried pulse audio and jack both and couldn't figure out how to set up connections to do this.
Any quick pointers, etc to set this up? I would prefer this without pulseaudio of course since I tend to keep that disabled.
Thanks!
Last edited by bnolsen (2014-06-02 17:23:55)

You could try reducing the buffer and period size of both arecord and aplay to minimize latency (that is one of the main reasons why jack is recommended, since you can get latency down to several milliseconds).
I have not tested this, so I assume when you want to expand, you would run multiple jack servers on different interfaces and then connect them (should be possible using netjack or similar, or maybe even directly). Look here on this topic (using cache since its down for me at the moment).
It should be possible to set up custom alsa configuration for virtual hardware and run jack on top of that also, have not tested that scenario either. My interface has enough inputs and outputs for my needs.
bnolsen wrote:I guess I was assuming it might allow device specific settings, like allowing multiple input and outputs devices to be defined, etc.
It should to some extent, what were you trying to define?

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Problem with guitar and backing track

Hi, i link my guitar with the jack cable, but when i go to play i don't hear the sound of my guitar and i don't hear the sound of the backing track too. Why? Somebody can help me?

You'll have to give us more details! Like:
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- How are you recording?
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Hi all. I am playing in a duo using backing tracks. We use mostly only the drum & bass tracks for the songs we do, just to try to replicate a 'band' sound. They were all purchased from the same place yet, the volume, bass and general dynamics of the different tracks varies considerably.
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The difference is so dramatic that during the gigs i have to adjust the output level to accommodate the different levels of the various tracks.
I believe the issue stems from the varying levels (and quality) of the backing tracks i'm using, so i really need to be able to mix them in GB so they are consistent
So, what i was wondering is how could i go back through all the tracks and adjust the output levels so they are all the same - where am i looking to see what level they are (not just trusting my ear). Can i do it in Garageband. What is the best way to do it. Or maybe it's less about levels and perhaps using a filter or eq to take some bass out, or a compressor or something.
Really looking forward to hearing any tips you can offer.

mitchy_ocker wrote:
Do you mean having every one of the tracks sitting in GB together 'side by side' so i can compare . Or do you mean just as i export the individual tracks to itunes.
If i do recognise a track as being louder than the other, what would be the best way to adjust. Should i just create a volume envelope on the track and adjust either up or down. How can i see what dB the track is playing at (this is what i meant about not only trusting my ears) - my point here is that the mix on my computer monitors is way different to hearing the track through my pa, so i was hoping to be as precise as possible.
The way I suggest is using a GarageBand Project more like a mastering Tool.
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Create 5 Audio Tracks in GarageBandand and drag audio file 1 on Track1, audio file 2 on Track 2, etc
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Now you play your Project but listen to each Track at a time. You do that with the Solo function
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Now when you listen to the different Songs, lower the Volume on those Songs that sounds too loud compared to the other. You can do the adjustment with the Volume SLider on the Track Header for each Track. I prefer to write it in Automation even if it is only ony one line (it still need two Control Points) to avoid that you move the SLider on the Track Header by accident without noticing it.
I don't go into compressor and limiting because that is a tutorial all by itself.
You are right about the listening environment. That is always an issue when mixing/mastering. There is a thing called "Isophones" or Fletcher-Munson Curves that shows the problem with perceived loudness. The short answer is, listen as loud as possible on good speakers to imitate the PA situation.
You are trusting your ears to judge the loudness but you are right, you have to keep an eye one the meter to judge the level. Unfortunately, GarageBand doesn't provide proper metering but you can use the Limiter in the Master Track Smart Controls.
mitchy_ocker wrote:
Please be careful with your panning. The Pan Control in GarageBand is a balance control not a "real" stereo pan...
I don't quite understand sorry. To create my mp3's, I have imported 2 tracks into GB, a click track, and also imported an audio track, so i have 2 tracks within GB. I then pan the click track left, and the audio right, then export. If i then import that mixed down track into GB i see a stereo track. If i play it through headphones i hear only click left & music right. Is that not stereo - I am new to this if you can't tell.
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You need two stage. If your audio file is stereo, then you have to make it mono first and then pan it to one side. This way, you have the drums and the guitars together. So make sure that the song you import is mono before you do the hard panning or get a Plugin that summs the stereo signal to mono first.
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Hi there,
For a few months I've been using the USB to stereo jack cable that came with the Rocksmith xbox game I bought (and never played) to record my electric guitar in Garageband.
Everything was going fine, but in the last few weeks I have had an issue where the connection dies if I stop playing for more than about 5 seconds. For example, I fire up Garageband, plug in the USB cable, Garageband does its "initializing core audio" thing, I turn on monitoring and I'm good to go, everything is working smoothly.
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I ended up buying a third and fourth cords, which was also third party, and after that broke, I was fed up and went to the Genius Bar for an appointment. I explained my problem, and they made an appointment with me. Eventually, they just said to buy another cord, this time Apple brand. I did, and it has been working fine up until tonight, when it just stopped charging.
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I think stevejobsfan has misunderstood your problem.
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Message was edited by: the fiend

Even genuine iphone 5 usb charging cable does not work for an year?

I have bought an iphone 5 last year. With it, came the original apple genuine iphone 5 lightning USB cable. It did not last for half year. I had to buy another original apple iphone 5 similar cable and it was gone within 3 months. I dont understand is it cable manufacturing problem? is apply selling fake cables? It is really annoying and I am really angry that such a reputed company cant give/ provide proper long lasting cables.
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APPLE PLEASE SORT THE PROBLEM OR SELL the PORTABLE IPHONE CHARGERS (WIRELESS) CHEAPER so that we dont have to use these silly little lightning cables. or I fear my APPLE I PHONE 5 is not genuine or its FAKE.
PLEASE HELP>

Look closely at the way you handle the cables. I have never had any cable, Apple or third-party, fail on me.

Usb guitar cable + backing track mixing.

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