Tracking Out Question

So I am currently using:

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MPC 1000
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Phone (1/4") to RCA Cables
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Converter
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PreSonus FireStudio Project

Tracking into:
Cubase 5


Now my question is that when I plug my Monster cables into the stereo out of my MPC. Then put the other end that is being converted via the radio shack converter into my firestudio, it sounds horrible. At least compared to how it sounds coming out of my MPC directly into my headphones. I am figuring that it must be my Phono cored that is just ruining the sound. The reason I think that is because when I sampled out of reason into my firebox it sounds pretty bad when I play it again in my MPC. Also I feel that my effects are not being processed through the Stereo out and is there a way to change that? I pretty much listed everything I am using and if I need to buy a digital cored i think i read a ADAT or something of the sort I am willing to purchase it. Well thanks to all who read and reply!

Cheapstak wrote:So I am currently using:

-----------------------------------------------------------------
MPC 1000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Phone (1/4") to RCA Cables
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Converter
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PreSonus FireStudio Project

Tracking into:
Cubase 5


Now my question is that when I plug my Monster cables into the stereo out of my MPC. Then put the other end that is being converted via the radio shack converter into my firestudio, it sounds horrible. At least compared to how it sounds coming out of my MPC directly into my headphones. I am figuring that it must be my Phono cored that is just ruining the sound. The reason I think that is because when I sampled out of reason into my firebox it sounds pretty bad when I play it again in my MPC. Also I feel that my effects are not being processed through the Stereo out and is there a way to change that? I pretty much listed everything I am using and if I need to buy a digital cored i think i read a ADAT or something of the sort I am willing to purchase it. Well thanks to all who read and reply!

Why exactly are you going from the MPC to the adapter to the FireStudio? Am I reading that right? If you are tracking out from the main stereo outs of the MPC, you should go 1/4" to 1/4" from the MPC straight to the FireStudio. I'm not sure why you have that adapter in the mix.

And what phono cord are you talking about? The cable running from the MPC to the adapter which is connected to the FireStudio input?

I suggest getting a pair of instrument cables, 1/4" - 1/4", and running those directly from the MPC to the FireStudio and let us know what happens.

Thanks for the reply,

The phono cord I'm talking about is the Monster Cables. Also the reason I have that converter is so that I can plug RCA side into my firestudio. I also have some instrument cables so I can try that. Anymore questions lemme know.


Edit: Tried the instrument cables, it sounds the same as my Monster cables. I plug them into my project, put my headphones in and listen. Then I unplug my headphones and listen to the same song directly through my mpc phones jack and there is a major difference.

When I play it out of the headphone jack of the mpc it sounds a lot more full and clean. As soon as I go through the firebox it sounds like its being processed down a notch and the effects are there, but not clean or full.

on the mpc go mode+pad10 and set your master level to 0db and post back the results...

Cheapstak wrote:
The phono cord I'm talking about is the Monster Cables. Also the reason I have that converter is so that I can plug RCA side into my firestudio.

Those aren't regular RCA jacks on your firestudio. Those are spdif jacks and you will need spdif cables for that. And you won't need an ADAT machine. You can connect the MPC and Firestudio direct with the spdif cables.

I checked and the master level is at 0. The SPDIF cables though, where do they plugin at? The 8 slots on the firebox's front only accept mic and instrument 1/4" cables. On the back it has a section for S/PDIF but it only has 1 IN 1 OUT so how would that work. Again thanks for anyone looking into this for me.

@Cheapstak: it sounds as if you are extremly confused regarding ins and outs. I have some time at hand and that is the only reason to go into details here, this is some seriously basic stuff:

- analog ins/outs have NOTHING to do with digital ins/outs. never connect an analog output (1/4") to a digital input (RCA) or vice-versa. not with a simple converter, not with a monster cable, just don't do it, OK?

- the converter you linked is a nightmare. why would you combine L+R out together into a MONO 1/4"???? Even the description on the radioshack website is utter nonsense ("Connects two headphones to one audio device. ")???? which heaphone is using MONO RCAs???? and a MONO heaphone output??? sorry for the rant.

- just forget the converter and the precious "Monster Cable" and go straight from Left out to input 1 of the interface with ONE MONO INSTRUMENT cable. do the same with the Right output. be sure to use another cable, OK?

- you coud use the digital out of the MPC. you need just one RCA cable (most often they come paired, just let the second one hang in the air...), connect the digital out of the MPC to the digital in of the interface. be sure to select EXTERNAL DIGITAL SYNC in the Presonus software or on the device itself.

hope some of this helps, best regards.