Doug Home Studio Project

Focusrite

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for giving us a call.

The first thing you'll want to do is download is Focusrite Control
- Once downloaded, make sure to open the application with your device connected as this will update the firmware and take it out of 'MSD Mode'
Below is a link to a YouTube playlist with various videos on getting started with your Scarlett. There are some specific to Pro Tools that you will see.
- Setting your system audio device - PC - YouTube Playlist
To default the I/O in Pro Tools, you would follow these steps:
- How to set up Pro-tools I/O to correspond with your Focusrite interface

If you have any questions please let me know.

Phone support is available at (310) 322-5500, Monday - Friday, 8am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm Pacific Time.

We generally operate live chat 24 hours, Monday to Friday. When an agent is available you will see the 'Live Chat' button appear on this page: https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new

Best Regards,

Jesse Mancia // Focusrite Technical Support Engineer

(310) 322-5500
- Phone support is available Monday - Friday, 8am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm Pacific
- Focusrite Technical Support
- Focusrite Help Centre

Go for the GOLD! (Don't f#&*ing pussyfoot around with ghetto s**t)

Determine why Audio Inputs 1 and 2 of Scarlet are leaking through, even with no Pro Tools Track Input engaged
- Consider calling Focusrite, or driving equipment to Reynolds for Bruce to help
Get separate Headphone Amplifiers for each musician
- You don't "need" personal monitor 'mixers.' But you NEED individual headphone AMPLIFIERS for each musician.
- Mount each Headphone Amplifier on a separate mic stand for every musician
- Purchase or create clean, well groomed, cable runs to all the Headphone Amplifiers
- Pro Audio LA could build some custom cable harnesses to distribute the headphone signals.
  - Very affordable. And having quality cables will help protect against hums, buzzes and intermittent problems.
  - Will also help tidy up the room and keep the floor clear
Audio Technica Headphones
- Consider purchasing Audio Technica headphones for each musician
Once Headphone Amplifiers are configured and tested, experiment with setting the band up so that the vocal mics are faced away from (not pointing at) the drums
Get second set of speakers for Pro Tools playback to the band
- PA speakers or any kind of speakers
- Mackie Big Knob Passive 2x2 Studio Monitor Controller is a good, cost effective way to control this
Reposition Audio Interfaces so that:
- All of the controls are within arm's reach
- All of the controls and inputs are clearly visible
  - Not obstructed with other equipment

Maple Keyboard Studio Desk - YouTube
- It would be very easy for Doug to build something like this
- This design has a perfect amount of rack space
- Not necessary for the MIDI keyboard to be a sliding tray
  - A stationary shelf for the keyboard is fine
Studio Ergonomics - Photos
Studio Desk Article with Examples
Check out Panda Studios!
- It's all low budget DIU with Home Depot lumber
- This studio is in Fremont and the owner would be happy to give a tour and tell Doug how he built the furniture

Schedule dedicated time with each musician to experiment, ONE at a time, getting good sounds into Pro Tools. Probably best on separate days.

Guitar amps and mics
Drum set mics
Bass - Direct Box vs. guitar cable into Scarlet
- Note: running an unbalanced line from the bass, across the room, will be susceptible to noise, hum and RF interface. Better to use a Direct Box with BALANCED output.

Create a song with Virtual Instruments and Pro Tools MIDI
- Start to Finish
- The end game = a stereo MP3 to listen to and share
Create a song recording Audio Tracks in Pro Tools
- You playing everything
- Same exercise as above, but not MIDI
Prep Guide Tracks for recording the band
Practice MIXING the recordings
- Create a Folder of Stereo Mixes!

If more than 3 mics are needed for vocals, forfeit the tom mics.