Mk3 poor audio recording from guitar

Hello. So, so sorry if this has been covered before. I am trying to record my bass by using the rear input jacks. I get good level, but the resulting file is 'clicky' and sounds as if it were recorded under water - sorta 'wobbly'. The audio prefs are set to WASAPI (the only other option I get is ASIO) and the 'device' is set to Maschine MK3 WDM. This combination of device and driver is the only combination that will work - i.e - give me an actual signal to record.

The levels are good but NOT 'over' - the resulting audio is bad even played out of maschine as a file on its own.

Yes, I am sure Maschine is not really designed for recording live instruments but if it wont work on my guitars it aint gonna work trying to record some vinyl etc.

Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks for any advice.

 

You should be using ASIO.
Make sure your input levels are not in the red.
You may need to use a compressor in Maschine software, and use guitar rig maybe.

 

Hi - thanks for the input (!) I had another go with ASIO - it works. Thank 'Alex - your a star. All hail the forums!

 

A guitar needs to be plugged into a high impedance (1Mohm or higher) input, otherwise you’ll get muffled sound. It should also have a lot of headroom if you use high output humbuckers (some +12 dBu or better) and low noise (at least 110 dB SNR). Maschine (or anything that NI make) doesn’t come anywhere close to the needed specs.

Recording from almost anything else, especially line level sources, is a much easier task. Your vinyls will be just okay.

 

use an instrument pre amp with a line out. mk3 does not have an instrument pre amp, only a sort of one for mics. your amp or pedals may have a line out. i recommend the boss gt001 or gt100, both give you loop back. the sound of these is exceptional, it is like having every boss compact pedal made that you can control from software. the gt 100 adds recording and effects loop, so you can play it, record it, and then record that recording in software... makes it more spontaneous. even better would be using a tube pre pedal with a line level output.

 

Thanks so much for all the valuable advice given here - much appreciated. My main problem though was - as cakealexs pointed out - using WASAPI as the driver - using ASIO sorted out all my problems. At nearly 60 years old - I still have soo much to learn......

 

65 here and still going strong and actually it is the learning that keeps our brains going. After all who likes a "know it all". I have not tried my Bass yet but will. Have had a bit of a go with guitar and it is fun recording a few Jazz chords then chopping and assigning to Pads. Would be nice if there was a way to share such stuff (as groups) here as many would find it useful. When it comes to something like playing an instrument there is no substitute for experience.
Same applies to learning from those with years of experience working with Maschine.
Been on MacBook for years now but ASIO always for Windows from my memory.
Maybe we should have our own "cobweb corner" in this forum so we can discuss all this newfangled inter web stuff.

 

Nice one Stephen - so I am a mere strapling! I have to say - I often like to think I know far more than I actually do! I certainly expected Maschine to be a bit more 'plug 'n play' than it actually is - but - I am probably expecting to use it as a 'catch all' rather than the specialist platform it actually is.

I must say - Maschine is enormous fun - but I have found it a bit of a steep learning curve. Then again - I'm only a (gigging) bass player - so my brain is easily 'fuddled'!

 

Get a Focusrite Scarlett I suggest if you have some spare change.

 

Another silver surfer here. Agree with istommo regarding the learning curve, as my last experience with this sort of stuff was an Atari and pro 24 way back! I’m getting some latency difficulties and occasional crackles and pops which I’m pretty certain is down to my computer being under spec. I have installed isio4all and think I can probably overcome most problems using workarounds (bouncing down to audio etc). Would an external soundcard relieve pressure on my cpu and add more headroom, enough to make a noticeable difference? And would that need to be something like a Focusrite, or would a Behringer UCA222 do the same job, albeit with fewer inputs and outputs? Thanks, any advice would be appreciated.

 

Ha ha - Brendan - the good old Atari days - I think it was - mebe very late 80's - into 90's? - I think I had an Atari ST24 - would that be right? I cant remember my software - I am sure there was a unicorn involved (I may be losing my marbles here) . I have to say my main issues are now resolved - I am using MK3 onboard sound with no latency probs - perhaps 10ms or so - but not noticeable. The MK3 is a VERY noisy 'card' tho - I have managed to get rid of most of the noise - but it is still pretty poor - I have no doubt the Behringer would be a better - errr - bet! Frankly tho - I do all this for fun - and ultimate sound quality is just not an issue for me.

 

Dude! I'm a gigging Bass player too! Well, more of a session bassist these days. I actually prefer to use my Clarett as a sound card for my bass but have had success recording bass into MK3 hardware. I can't help with the windows stuff but I can say if you have an active bass recording direct to the Maschine MK3 inputs should not be an issue. I have also gone into the Mic input with a bit of success, my bass is pretty hot but I thought the overdrive in the preamp sounded decently tasty.

It has been a while since I have plugged into the MK3 inputs so I will confirm again tonight. With the buffer low, and sample rate high I was able to get acceptable latency running my bass through plugins in Maschine using MK3 inputs. Honestly, my envelope filter pedals are the only ones I still use while recording. Is your bass active or passive?

 

Thanks Tommo for your reply. Yes, the ST24. There is probably more memory in a car key fob these days, but coupled with Steinberg Pro 24 it began the revolution! You’re absolutely right about it being fun now though, and as Stephen says, it helps to light up parts of the brain that might otherwise drift away. So, you’re DI’ing bass into the MK3?

 

No need for DI unless you sending a signal through a long arse cable. Even if you have a passive you should be fine with the mic input. I tested the MK3 with a TS cable from my bass to the line-level inputs and it sounded great. I got overdrive if not careful with the mic input but the drive was tasty!

I have a strong active Bass with J-Retro onboard preamp. It is strong enough for any line level in I have plugged into. I only use DIs on long studio or stage runs or if I am using an external preamp for additional tone shaping. I typically like to bypass any preamps on my interfaces and go line in cuz the J-Retro and my other hardware preamps sound so damn good on bass.

If you have a passive bass it is possible to run into some impedance or strength issues going into the line level ins, a preamp/active DI would cure that. Mesa Boogie Subway has a delicious tone.

 

I just tested my MK3 inputs:

Active through Line in sounds great!
Active through Mic Input is OK, not stoked on how the mic pre colors the tone with exception of when it is overdriven
Passive through Line in does not work
Passive through Mic in works but it doesn't sound super great, maybe an impedance issue or the mic pre just doesn't sound great with bass.

 

Thanks, Ohulahan. That’s good to know. I have a Jazz bass and a Tele 6 string, neither of which are active of course! I haven’t tried them yet, so unknown territory, but based on your research I’ll need to do something to the signal. Would the Focusrite fix that issue do you think? I’d also like to be able to record acoustic over some lush strings that I’ve found on the MK3 (Pat Metheny style!) so need to work out how to do that. Exciting, isn’t it!

 

It depends how much money you want to spend, I like the Clarett allot but it will cost you a few hundred for the smallest version but it has terrific preamps, converters and will improve your latency performance by ALLOT. There are allot of other great interfaces like Apollo, Presonus Quantum, Apogee... Not all are PC friendly though. Also, most audio interfaces offer direct monitoring of your input signal, so if you don't need to monitor through VST effects you can monitor your dry signal with zero latency.

I really dig several preamp/DIs also but they only benefit you by boosting your signal, tone and impendence matching, the Clarett can do all that and more.

If you can afford an interface plus a dedicated bass preamp/DI I would suggest the Focusrite Clarett and the Mesa Boogie Subway DI.

 

Really appreciate your advice, and thanks for taking the time. I will look into what you say and maybe try and persuade my wife that we don't need that holiday in Italy. Wish me luck!