The Easiest Way to Record Your Synth (And Other Electronic Recording Tips) | Reverb 

Justin Delay.... at Reverb? That’s awesome.

A cool trick if you have MIDI setup: while recording your audio from the synth, arm an additional track with a midi input to record only the midi. This is useful so that if you decide later you want a different sound you can then output that midi performance back through the synth with a different sound on your synth and not have to complete another performance. Kind of similar to reamping guitar performances with a di box.

The Reverb channel has been killin' it lately. Always great vids!

Thanks for the step-by-step and easily to follow instructions. I find some videos on RU-vid assume you understand all the jargon related to interfaces, mixers and I/O...but us beginners have to search for hours trying to find the basic of the basics to get to "normal" level of understanding. I like it!

This is ridiculously precise in everything I needed to know about how to arrange the set up I want. Everywhere was overcomplicating it. Thank you!

so excited to see Justin back on here! his videos were always the best

What a great video, I love the step by step you give, helps people like me who have never really recorded at home on a laptop before. You are doing good work so, please keep it up.

This is exactly what I was looking for! Straight to the point, very easy explained, thank you.

Justin! Could you do a video explaining midi with synthesizers? That would be super helpful!

This was actually a very informative vid for someone who's brand new to all of this. Thank you !

Out of all the guides I watched this was the most complete and easy to understand. Thank you!

This is an EXTREMELY helpful video. Exactly what I needed. Thank you very much!

I was very worried that my mixer-interface setup was overkill and that I should've gotten a bigger interface instead... Thanks for helping with that! I don't think many people actually talk about setting up your studio, just what you can have it. Good video!

This was super helpful! Thank you for slightly demystifying the madness that is audio equipment

Needed a simple, clear explanation of this process. Much appreciated. Now I need to figure out how to get certain sounds from a synth. Cheers!

Justin, I like your method of instruction: state a goal, explain stepwise, and summarize. No BS. Thank you for that. Now for the favor... I can't find any decent tutorials on the Korg Volca Drum. You could help lots of folks get on track, so to speak. Thanks again.

I’ve never considered using a mixer between synth & audio interface. Super useful tip, thanks!

HANDS DOWN THE BEST TUTORIAL I’VE SEEN YET!!! That stereo synth sounds incredible. I have an Apollo x8 and all I have is a vocal chain in it for an input lol.

Thank you for posting this. It really answered a lot of questions and opened a lot of things up for me in my recording process. Very helpful. Much appreciated!

this video is what I was looking for as a newbie to synthesizers and making electronic music. Thank you!

Love the way you explain things straight forwardly.

Incredibly helpful video for a beginner. Very well done, well explained. Thanks Reverb! Keep it up!

daaaamn That is just what I needed! Building my first syhtn set up right now, somebody gave me a nice 8 channel audio mixer, now, I just need to find a nice audio interface! Thank you for all the tips!

This was useful. I knew some, but not all that he was speaking of. Any time I learn something, I am happy. TY Justin.

This is a killer video about recording synths! You guys are amazing!!!!

I’ve got a long way to go yet, but you’ve help put me a few steps closer. Thanks!

This is the most helpful video on RU-vid. Great work.

I didn't think I was gonna learn anything from this video, but the mixer in front of an audio interface idea is really smart! Great for recording jams too. I haven't mic-ed up a synth and amp yet, but I have a a peavy vyper VIP-2 that can act as an acoustic, electric, and bass guitar amp lol. I've used synths with it already and it does sound pretty good. Just gotta try recording that combo with a mix now.. That'll be my next experiment! Cheers Reverb!

you have no idea how helpful this was, thank you

i dont have a synth, i don't have any music instruments, but damn this guy seems like a really nice guy

Justin is back!!!! Please give us more Justin Delay stuff

Excellent video for beginners. Thanks for not mentioning connecting via midi as i am not there yet. Bravo !!!!

Great tip on the mixer. Connecting all your synths to one mixer and having the mixer going to interface saves a lot of wires etc

So helpfull!!! Thanks for the explainations!

Thank you, your tutorials are so helpful!

Really simple and easy to understand video - thanks

You just answered all of my recording questions. Thanks!

Excellent video - so well explained.

I’m new to this (I have a Monologue) and it was informative and interesting. Thank you!

Simple, Efficient and really helpful! thank you! :)

So helpful! The only thing I wish was discussed was how newer synths have a daw output over usb and how to use that too.

i like this guys presentation style. great info!

That Prophet 😍😍😍 , that's a big flex. Great video! Thanks

thanks. perfect for what i wanted and very well explained

Very nicely explained, thank you! 🙂

Thank you for breaking this down step by step

Thank you pal! I use a Focusrite 2i4 to record my synths

Thanks for this video, i literally did this the other day and it was Godly. I was literally using the 402 vlz, i was using the eq and literally thought the same thought...its like a filter...glad to see i was right...

This is such an excellent video, thank you!

Interesting video, especially the part about mixers and amps. For me the golden path is to record my synths through the AxeFx III, where I have all of these options without a lot of cabling and zero risk of damaging real amps. ;)

Awesome video. Very helpful!

Amazing video, thanks a bunch!

brill answered my question on the way the mixer connects up...thanks guys.

That opening sequence was sick af 🔥 🔥 🔥

I have a Behringer 12 channel mixer that I feed via XLR outputs into the XLR inputs of my M-Audio M Track Plus interface. Works like a charm. I keep just about all of my gear hooked up to it so I don't have to constantly plug and unplug when I'm recording different instruments.

This is so so helpful thank you!

Thanks just the info I was looking for!

Excelente vid! Thanks folks!

Never even thought to use a mixer like that, thank you so much.

I like this guy, natural at explaining stuff

Amazing video! Thank you so much!

Nice base level tutorial video. Thumbs up

Great little vid. Thanks

this was really helpfull, thanks a lot!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You made this super simple and that's all anyone really wants haha thank you

Great video. Good help. Thanks.

Dude this video helped me so much.

You are an amazing teacher.

great video! thanks so much

very clear. thank you 👌🏾

Might also consider buying a Zoom H-Series Audio Recorder. It can serve as your interface. Then you also have a portable audio recorder with built in mics (you can add vocals or other mic'd sources), and multitrack ability on the unit itself (in case you don't have that laptop available), plus a small array of onboard effects (which are not stellar, but are good for scratching out ideas.) Plus, it can run on batteries or bus power over USB.

This answers questions I didn’t even know I had yet

Thank you.your video helped alot

Super helpful video fo beginners!

Fantastic tutorial

informative!! thanks REVERB

a good rule of thumb for the right level to record, is that the waveform should be around 1/3 of the normal size of the recording window/channel (4:12 in this video shows that perfectly). to take it a step further, find a VU plugin, adjust it so that 0VU = -18dBFS. keep your "average" level for everything you record in around that level, while making sure your peaks are no higher than about -10dBFS / -12dBFS. this gives you about 10 to 12dB worth of "headroom" to work with for each track part, so that everything isn't smashing your Master channel (ie; never let your Master channel exceed 0dBFS & try to stay within -3 to -6dBFS max on the Master) i also like to record MIDI with all my audio. either use the MIDI I/O from your interface, or get a dedicated USB MIDI Interface (Motu, iConnectivity, etc.). Place everything on the right port & MIDI channel, then when you record... record the audio & MIDI together. you can then use that MIDI file to send to another synth or VST, or just keep it so you'll know what you played if someone asks lol

Justin Delay is almost Vladislav Delay) I think is no need to tweak on board mixer EQ when you are recording your synth as a single track. Logic has great EQ and this enough for further sound manipulations. And if you will understand that you need this cutted low end in the mixing process - sadly low end has been completely lost by on board mixer EQ( I know that it's different approaches but I have such examples in my mixing engineer career... p.s but recording shimmer it's perfect!) it sounds nice and it's really create a texture from this synth!

im so happy now that i know i don't have to buy a new audio interface and i can just extend my ssl2+ with an affordable mixer , thank you bro

I'm sorry but the words 'Apogee' and 'affordable' don't belong in the same sentence.

Very cool, informative, thank you,!!

Thanks awesome vid!

Great video !!!!

Thank you so much

thanks for this!

Thanks for this video, great stuff. I understand the green/red way of metering the synthvolume: but I'm curious to know in terms of db/dbfs: what is the optimal peak gain setting/level for the signal coming in to the DAW? My experience with my synths is that the signal is quite low (coming in my interface, rme fireface). So what is the best place to add gain? on the interface (eg by setting the mixer slider higher than unity gain), or within DAW with a gain plugin?

I run my synths through an old tube amp and it sounds awesome.

Thank you !

Thanks Justin. I would love to see a video in which you create drum sounds using a Moog Model D.

Should I buy a Mac or an iPad or a Windows laptop I have to record guitars, bass, synthand vocals. Btw Great Video Justin.

Thanks Buddy for all the great tips ,for years now I played for bands & others but I have to get my music out.So I`m finally dedicating some moneys to the get on with it stupid fund. in hopes that it will jump start my process .I`v always had the will & want but not the$$$$.Life`s ongoing bills , kids, school,you know . Well thanks again, you seam like a very knowledgeable dude so roll the dice and get to work.

gosh darn I love you Justin

Hey Justin and Reverb thanks for doing this video. Will you do a video on using the Minilogue with midi and options for using the trigger in and out? I have difficulty with the moment I hit record on my interface or play on my Drumbrute where it immediately wants to play the sequencer for me when all I want is the clock to play my arppegiator in time

Nice simple walkthrough. I’d just add that using balanced TRS cables is also important for reducing noise vs unbalanced TS cables (unless the TS cable is short). Having long TS cables run from a synth to a mixer to a pedal to the interface near a bunch of electronics would sound like garbage by the time the DAW gets it. Just make sure though that the mixer supports balanced TRS inputs and outputs, because if it doesn’t - it won’t matter which cables you use - it’ll still be unbalanced. Also, patch bays are a good and cheap alternative to a mixer for multiple inputs from audio gear. Important to note that line out volume from synths can’t always be controlled - especially rack synths. Best run through a mixer in that scenario.

Good video BUT these is one thing missing and that is the subject of latency. We do not have the technology to be able to actually record any music without latency hence anything you record into a computer will actually be off timing wise and require work to adjust for timing later on. Would be good to do a video on this thorn in the side of anyone working with a soundcard.

Great tutorial, would you recommend a mixer with usb such as a behringer xenyx qx1002usb between synth and DAW?

You can also buy a mixer that has usb connectivity so you can record multiple inputs to independent tracks in your daw

Excellent :) ty

sure you could get a bigger mixer, but for me it's a second 4 track which works. 4 more inputs, and a whole bunch more control, plus a pedal board.

Thanks for this aimed at n00bs. We need the help!