™ G E T T I N G S T A R T E D Mackie Control (or other MIDI device) SPDIF MIDI IN IN OUT IN MIDI OUT DAT, CD/DVD player or CD-R recorder MIDI MIDI IN OUT MIDI OUT MONITOR L/R INPUT 1 Mackie HR624 or other Active Studio Monitors INPUT 2 Guitar Power Supply 9V DC 750mA USB Microphone Headphones USB Connection Laptop (plug into front panel)
Contents Getting Started ----------------------------------------- 3 Installing the Software-------------------------------- 4 To install the software on a PC: ---------------------------- 4 To install the software on a Macintosh:------------------ 5 Installing and Connecting the Hardware ---------- 6 Typical Hookup Diagram------------------------------ 7 Making a Recording ------------------------------------ 8 Computer System Requirements------------------- 17 Stop Right There! It is very important that
Getting Started We hope this guide will help you get started making recordings with Spike. It describes how to install the software, hook up your gear, and make a recording using the XD-2 USB interface and the Tracktion software. The information in this guide is also duplicated in the user's guide "Getting Started" chapter. We recommend that you read over the user's guide whenever you have a spare moment in your busy day.
Installing the Software • The Spike CD contains an installer which will help you install the various software applications, plug-ins and drivers. • Visit www.mackie.com/spikeauth to register your Spike, and download any updates to the software and firmware. • Your computer must meet the minimum system requirements (shown on page 17). • The XD-2 software application does not need authorization in order to run. • Tracktion authorizes the first time it detects the XD-2 hardware attached to your computer.
. If you want, go ahead and install Warmer Phaser (and other plug-ins from Nomad Factory), and Antares plug-ins. 6. You can accept the default directories, or specify different locations. We recommend that you use the default settings. Note: Be sure to install the plug-ins into the Tracktion plug-ins folder, so they are accessible to Tracktion. If you have already installed plug-ins, you can direct Tracktion to scan for these folders as well.
Installing and connecting the hardware • To stand the XD-2 upright, pull the stabilizer bar downwards and twist it out 90˚ from the body, as shown here. The spring is quite strong, so be careful not to nip yourself as it snaps back into place. • Turn down all XD-2 knobs to prevent any loud surprises. • Connect microphones using the XLR input connectors on the back of the XD-2. Press the 48V button if your microphone needs phantom power (mostly used for condenser microphones).
Typical Hookup Diagram Mackie Control (or other MIDI device) SPDIF MIDI IN IN OUT IN MIDI OUT DAT, CD/DVD player or CD-R recorder MIDI MIDI IN OUT MIDI OUT MONITOR L/R INPUT 1 Mackie HR624 or other Active Studio Monitors INPUT 2 Guitar Power Supply 9V DC 750mA USB Microphone Headphones USB Connection Laptop (plug into front panel) Getting Started 7
Making a Recording The following example of a recording session uses a guitar plugged directly into the XD-2 channel 1 input, and a microphone plugged into the channel 2 input, to record audio tracks in the Tracktion software. We will also record some MIDI data that will trigger a softsynth within Tracktion. Before starting, make sure you have correctly installed the XD-2 and Tracktion software. 1. Connect your equipment using the diagram on the previous page as a guide. 2.
6. On the XD-2 front panel (with the MIX knob set to DIR) turn the PHONES knob gently to hear yourself through your headphones. Remember – to avoid feedback, keep your monitor volume turned down while using a microphone, especially if your mic is close to the monitors. 7. To eliminate any low-end bass rumble, push in the front panel HP filter button (see user's guide, page 25 for more details. 8. On the Overview screen, click the DSP button to bring up the DSP graphic interface.
. Launch the Tracktion software and select the Mackie XD-2 hardware under Settings menu/WAVE devices. Also select Mackie XD-2 (for Mac), USB Audio Device (for PC) under the Settings/MIDI devices menu. For more details of the Tracktion software, press "F12" on your keyboard, or click the HELP button in the lower left of the Tracktion screen. Tracktion Settings screen 11. Click the NEW PROJECT button in the Projects Menu.
12. Navigate to a good location, enter a wonderful name for the new project in the pop-up dialog box, then click Save. All of this project's tracks, clips and edits will be saved here by Tracktion. Note: Do not create project folders inside the Tracktion main folder, or any software main folder. Otherwise, if you un-install/re-install software, your project folders will disappear (mine sure did). 13. “New edit #1” appears at the top of the Item List. Do not be alarmed.
14. Double click on “new edit #1” to open up the Edit Screen. This new project starts with eight horizontal tracks, stacked vertically. You can add or remove tracks once you get going. Tracks can also be renamed by selecting them and typing the new name in the Properties area. The audio icon represents Tracktion's stereo audio input (from your XD-2). The MIDI icon represents its MIDI input.
15. As we have a microphone and a guitar connected in this example, we want two independent channels instead of a stereo pair. Click the audio icon and uncheck the "treat as stereo channel pair" button in the Properties area. Two independent audio icons will then appear. Ch.1 Icon INPUT 1 Ch.
16. Click on the Ch.1 icon, hold down your mouse button, and drag it next to the track you want to record onto. As it gets closer, an arrow pops out and connects the icon to the track. This indicates the track is armed for recording. To disconnect an icon (disarm the track), drag it to the left and the arrow will disappear. In the Properties area, set the Bit Depth to 16 bit, or 24 bit as needed. We will begin by recording the guitar, so go ahead and arm track 1.
17. To record, click the Record button in the Transport area (or press keyboard R). Tracktion records any armed tracks (icon with arrow). Play your guitar as the vertical cursor line moves right. A pink bar shows the track recording. 18. To stop recording, click the Record button (or R) again. A squigglywiggle (amplitude vs time waveform) of your recording is displayed. 19.
23. MIDI data can be recorded using one of the softsynths supplied with Tracktion. Drag the MIDI icon to the left of a track, and Arm it. 24. Click the "New Filters" button, and drag down the new filter to the right of the track, in front of any existing filters. A list of plug-ins will appear, and you can choose the MDA DX10 or other synths. (Synths have a little keyboard icon). The properties area shows various options for the MDA DX10, including loading presets.
Computer System Requirements Minimum PC requirements • WIN XP • Intel Pentium 3 or 4, or AMD Athlon (750 MHz or better is recommended for Tracktion). • At least 128 MB RAM; 256 MB or more is recommended for Tracktion work. • Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor. • CD-ROM or DVD drive. • Keyboard and Wheel Mouse or compatible pointing device. • USB port Minimum Macintosh requirements • Macintosh OS 10.
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