Recording all Computer Audio for a Podcast

[TheEdster75]

Ok, mostly I do Audio Production, but I've recently gotten into Podcasting with a friend of mine.

I have a 2013 27" iMac, running Pro Tools 11, with an MBox Pro (3rd Gen) which is the larger Audio Interface that is 400 Firewire. I am using the Firewire to Thunderbolt Adapter. Which by the way works great!!

So I am wondering, cause right now I am doing everything through Screenflow and exporting the Audio.

With my set-up, is there anyway to record all computer audio through Pro Tools 11 using the MBox Pro Interface?

Thanks!

[Benoni]

Can you run a cable from the audio out into the Mbox? That's probably the easiest way with the fewest possible issues.

[TheEdster75]

Everything on my iMac connection wise is either UBS 3.0 or Thunderbolt. I guess I can ask the guys in the Pro Audio at Guitar Center, if adapters are made for that. I have to go there at lunch anyway...

[Sardi]

No, Benoni means run the audio line out of your iMac to an input on your MBox.

Just grab a stereo minijack to dual quarter inch and away you go.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by TheEdster75

Everything on my iMac connection wise is either UBS 3.0 or Thunderbolt. I guess I can ask the guys in the Pro Audio at Guitar Center, if adapters are made for that. I have to go there at lunch anyway...

You can connect the iMac using analog audio to the interface, but your iMac also has S/PDIF optical (TOSLINK) digital output on a mini-TOSLINK connector inside the audio/headphone socket. If your interface has TOSLINK input just get a suitable cable. If your interface has S/PDIF on a coaxial input get a S/PDIF TOSLINK to coax converter. There are other ways of doing this but good old simple hardware works reliably.

If you are asking folks at Guitar Center questions you have already lost...

[sw rec]

"If you are asking folks at Guitar Center questions you have already lost..."

My experience as well.

[TheEdster75]

Well, Darryl...

I don't have a S/PDIF on a coaxial input..

Here is a pick of the front and back of my interface.. Any ideas?

http://www.jeejuh.com/images/blog/mbox-3-pro-back.jpg

[TheEdster75]

Would this work from my iMac Toslink to my Aux Inputs to my interface?

http://www.amazon.com/DBTech-Digital.../dp/B009AGTC3Q

[mesaone]

Originally Posted by sw rec

"If you are asking folks at Guitar Center questions you have already lost..."

My experience as well.

How I feel when I'm in GC and they try to steer my purchases.

Back to the topic at hand, the best way to go about this (if you have the option) is to do a digital loopback.

For example, my interface has a routing matrix which allows me to run any number of outputs back into unused inputs, without cables. I can then set the audio input of my screen capture software to the pair of inputs I routed back to, and it will capture along with the video. If I don't need it to sync (or if I need to capture audio only) then I just run an instance of TotalRecord in the background. Audacity is a good choice for this, too.

Since you have an MBox, it may be possible to set computer output to soundflower, then record or monitor directly with a track in Pro Tools. You would have to have the system audio play through the mac's built-in output to avoid feedback loops (if it were set to MBOX, you would get feedback).

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by TheEdster75

Well, Darryl...

I don't have a S/PDIF on a coaxial input..

Here is a pick of the front and back of my interface.. Any ideas?

http://www.jeejuh.com/images/blog/mbox-3-pro-back.jpg

Mbox 3 Pro has S/PDIF inputs and outputs on a coaxial input and output via the adapter cable that comes with it. So you would need a S/PDIF optical to coax converter.

Soundflower is another option but hardware works reliably.