Pulling my hair out (if I had any)

Pine Apple Slim

Pine Apple Slim

Kick Henry Jackassowski
Ive always seem to have issues with digital recording technology. Every time I start a project I always reach a point where everything goes to sht. Either I loose my musical inspiration fiddling with getting a set up working because Ive forgotten how I did it last time, or I give up in frustration over some technical issue that pops up out of nowhere that I can't successfully troubleshoot before loosing my mind. So I havnt tried to record anything in a year or two. But a jamming buddy came up with a couple of dittys with potential so we decided we should record what we have so far(keys/bass/drum machine) and try to make something out of them beyond what we have (verse, chorus, bridge and a few lines of unfinished lyrics).
So yesterday I tried. First issue, Logic isn't recognizing the interface so I cant get the Mac to properly configure the sound in/outs. Turns out the software that came with the Scarlett no longer works with the current version of my Mac OS. So I go to the Focusrite website and get the software thats supposed to work. It dosnt. Follow the site troubleshooting advice, it still no work. But finally after about an hr of fiddling around and moving the monitor out from the interface to the Macs headphone out, I get some sound and pick out a Drummer Track in Logic we can work with. My buddy shows up, and we pretty quickly get the keys verse section and a bass part recorded.
Then we start working on the chorus section. Suddenly for no reason now the keys and the Drummer track are somehow getting mixed up and drum sounds are coming from the keyboard. So I shut everything down and pull the file back up, check all the ins/outs etc and its fixed.....except now we cant play along with the existing tracks unless the record button is pushed. So I shut down and try to reconfigure everything again. Repeat times I lost count how many and its still fkd up.

So in essence we wasted a day of our time and accomplished nothing. Now I'm hating all this crap I own that I'm evidently too old and stupid to learn to use efficiently.
I guess Im resigned to the fact I'll just never have the patience or ability to pull it off.
 
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i gave up on digital recording gear. i have some, but it's in a box, somewhere. and i just don't give a fuck anymore, and besides, i don't have anything of value to record any f'ing way.
happy happy :mad:
 
I empathize @Pine Apple Slim. Plenty of times, I’ve gotten bogged down in the quirks of technology with recording. Technical problems often kill the momentum. Because of that I’ve considered a few scenarios.

One solution I’ve considered is setting up a DAW on a computer in isolation. This would be a machine used only for multitrack recording, disconnected from the internet and setup on one version of an operating system without ever updating the software. Just a recording DAW frozen in time. Of course, I’d make backup images of things to a separate drive, so that I could recover from a system failure.

Another thought is to buy a simple multitrack recording deck that’s not computer based. This is a more primitive idea that would not have the power of a typical DAW. But, sometimes the KISS principle provides advantages. There are times when a simpler approach can better serve spontaneous ideas.

Here are a few machines from basic to more complex….

4 track digital recorder
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8 track digital recorder
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14 track digital field recorder
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24 track Digital Portastudio
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Digital Recording ends up requiring constant updates for me. When Logic went to Version 10, my Intel Mac was no longer supported, so either upgrade or no updates. I am also careful with updating the Mac OS as many of the plugins I use may no longer be compatible. And it requires careful planning, the more plugins I use, the more resources required in the CPU, which can mean setting the I/O buffer size really high, meaning, you better be done recording at this point.
 
I had an old MacBook that I dedicated to recording after the battery died and it had to be plugged in to run. Thats kinda when I actually spent the time to start to get comfortable with the process. But then after about a year it died completely. IDK why one day it just quit powering up, lol.
So I had to start using the new replacement MacBook and after a few yrs of regular Mac OS updates now it appears my system is fkd. I'll prob eventually figure out why and get it working again, but then I dont really wanna spend $2000 on a new MacBook Pro just yet for my general use.
I guess I should pull up Garage Band and see if I can get it to work with the Scarlett and not have the same issues. I never messed with Garage Band that much because I figured I have a powerful Mac why not learn and use something more full featured like Logic. But I kinda suspect I'll run into the same thing. Its the OS and the interface that seems to be the problem not the DAW.

Stand alone multitrack digital machines, IDK they seem about as complex to use as a DAW, maybe morso.

I actually own a working old Tascam 4 track, but if I started using it again theres still the hassle of getting the work onto media that anyone else can consume, lol. Plus you loose all the great things about a DAW like amp sims, effect plugins, virtual instruments, and cut and paste. Im sure not gonna learn to splice tape at my age lol. But after the last debacle we seriously discussed micing up some amps and trying again with the old Tascam. Still, micing stuff up or figuring out how to go direct to tape and get good sounds is another time consuming engineering problem. Mic stands, cables running everywhere, who knows what kind of direct boxes needed, etc also kinda intimidates me to think about. I have the equipment to pull it off with acoustic instruments, elec guitar & bass, and voc, but keys and drum machine Im not too sure about. Can I just plug em straight in and go for it?

I guess Im open to reccomendations for a cheap laptop that I could dedicate to recording, and no more skilled than I am w/ Logic Id be willing to go to another DAW if it would make things go smoother. Even get a Windows PC I guess, cause maybe it wouldn't be online enough to need constant attention to virus protection and all that business? Ive always used Macs at home just because Ive never had a big prob w that kinda thing using them, and theres just less you gotta know about computing in general to use one.
 
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Keep in mind, some of the stand alone digital recorders can also be connected to a computer via USBC and appear in a DAW as a plugin. Perhaps, the best of both worlds.

I always had a bit of trouble with my Windows machines for multitrack recording until I adopted an old gaming PC that my son replaced. So, I guess it requires a bit more power to work properly.

By contrast, a current model Mac mini is powerful enough to do video production or multitrack recording. Yet, it’s not powerful enough as a gaming platform.

I wish I could make a recommendation for a computer powerful enough to be a good DAW for cheap. Linux distro’s are a whole other can of worms. Yet, I used Linux in the past as a simple DAW with an old PC and it worked surprisingly well at the time.
 
Reaper is still a decent basic and budget software for a DAW. It does not have the power of Logic, but maybe it’s enough for your use. I’m certainly not a power user with any DAW.

I seem to recall using free Audacity as a primitive DAW software back in the day. I have no idea what it offers currently but it used to work in Windows and I think it also worked in Linux. Again, Linux is probably not the option for keeping things simple, but one advantage is tons of free software that does not require as much power on the hardware side of things.
 
jrockbridge said:
Reaper is still a decent basic and budget software for a DAW. It does not have the power of Logic, but maybe it’s enough for your use. I’m certainly not a power user with any DAW.

I seem to recall using free Audacity as a primitive DAW software back in the day. I have no idea what it offers currently but it used to work in Windows and I think it also worked in Linux. Again, Linux is probably not the option for keeping things simple, but one advantage is tons of free software that does not require as much power on the hardware side of things.
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I'm still using Audacity and GarageBand because I hate pushing buttons, tweaking, knobs, and generally having to get ass-deep into the weeds. I like playing music and do not enjoy spending lots of time fucking around with complex software...
 
Back in the day I used Audacity to for simple stereo recording and transferring stuff from the tape machine to computer. That was a long time ago, it prob has more features these days.
Im gonna see if I can get Garage Band to work with the Scarlett interface and learn my way around it. Logic is kinda overwhelming to navigate and remember where and what all the buttons and menus are.
 
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bsman said:
I'm still using Audacity and GarageBand because I hate pushing buttons, tweaking, knobs, and generally having to get ass-deep into the weeds. I like playing music and do not enjoy spending lots of time fucking around with complex software...
Click to expand...

I’ve used Reaper for years because it’s uncomplicated and makes sense to me. Also, it’s not expensive. I’ll never use the power of the better software options.
 
jrockbridge said:
One solution I’ve considered is setting up a DAW on a computer in isolation. This would be a machine used only for multitrack recording, disconnected from the internet and setup on one version of an operating system without ever updating the software. Just a recording DAW frozen in time. Of course, I’d make backup images of things to a separate drive, so that I could recover from a system failure.
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This is pretty much what I've done, except my laptop is online and updated. I'm using Reaper 6.0, frozen in time right there, so my stuff/workflow won't be affected by updates. I use maybe 10% of the features it has, and that is plenty for me, and I don't get distracted. Plus I find it's fairly easy to google how you do this and that with what I've got.

My issue has always been options fatigue, you know, spending too much time testing stuff rather than actually recording stuff. Time is precious and I much prefer focusing on improving my writing/playing/recording/production skills. So I try to minimize my collection of plugins and effects and use only what is necessary to get the job done.

Best advice I ever got from a guitar youtuber was to stop flipping gear and start making actual music, so that's what I try to do.
 
All the DAW talk is well and good but has nothing to do with my problem, which is a Mac OSv12.x vs old Scarlett v3 Interface issue.

I sent in a full report and request for assistance to Focusrite support. 24 hrs later I got a “try unplugging and powering back up” email, lol. I replied still no work and requested they email me with a time they could call me and work thru the problem. It’s been a week no reply.
Guess Im gonna have to give up and buy a new interface if I ever want to record again.
 
Pine Apple Slim said:
All the DAW talk is well and good but has nothing to do with my problem, which is a Mac OSv12.x vs old Scarlett v3 Interface issue.

I sent in a full report and request for assistance to Focusrite support. 24 hrs later I got a “try unplugging and powering back up” email, lol. I replied still no work and requested they email me with a time they could call me and work thru the problem. It’s been a week no reply.
Guess Im gonna have to give up and buy a new interface if I ever want to record again.
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I was under the impression that Scarlett interfaces were class compliant with Mac. But, I guess that’s not always the case.

Seems like you have a few options…

1) Wait for Focusrite to come up with a driver for V3 that will allow it to work with Mac OS12. Of course, this may never happen. Or, it may take a long time. Manufacturers tend to prioritize current models and ignore old hardware.

2) Wait for Apple to release a version of the OS that works with V3 Scarlett. This may never happen. However, I have a networked Brother laser-printer that stopped working with my Mac Mini after an OS update. Fortunately, I was able to print from other computers. Then. the next OS update seemed to fix the issue.

3) Roll back the Mac OS to a version that works with the V3 Scarlett. Recovery or Time Machine should be able to accomplish the roll back. Of course, a roll back may be undesirable for a few reasons.

4) Buy a new interface. Spending more money is not ideal. Still, this may turn out to be the best compromise.
 
jrockbridge said:
1) Wait for Focusrite to come up with a driver for V3 that will allow it to work with Mac OS12. Of course, this may never happen. Or, it may take a long time. Manufacturers tend to prioritize current models and ignore old hardware.
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They have an updated program on their website thats supposed to work with my version of Mac OS, but it doesn't, or at least I cant get it to.
I even trashed it and went back to the Focusrite site and started over double checking everything closely thinking I may have accidentally downloaded the wrong one, but no..same result. I even carefully followed the troubleshooting instructions several times over that Focusrite provides in case the patch doesnt work, Hence my request for them to arrange a phone call (their support is in the UK). But so far they've ignored it. Im not holding my breath. The Scarlett is 6-7 yrs old at least. I doubt Apple is ever gonna provide a fix for such an old device. Im not enough of a computer wiz to roll back the OS even if I wanted to.
 
Pine Apple Slim said:
They have an updated program on their website thats supposed to work with my version of Mac OS, but it doesn't, or at least I cant get it to.
I even trashed it and went back to the Focusrite site and started over double checking everything closely thinking I may have accidentally downloaded the wrong one, but no..same result. I even carefully followed the troubleshooting instructions several times over that Focusrite provides in case the patch doesnt work, Hence my request for them to arrange a phone call (their support is in the UK). But so far they've ignored it. Im not holding my breath. The Scarlett is 6-7 yrs old at least. I doubt Apple is ever gonna provide a fix for such an old device. Im not enough of a computer wiz to roll back the OS even if I wanted to.
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Do you backup your Mac with the Time Machine app that’s standard on Mac computers?
 
Well I have to compliment Focusrite.
They eventually got back with me and arranged a call. We installed some software that let him take over the Mac and he got me running in a few min. Turns out I had downloaded the wrong software. I had the original v1 of the model and it wasnt clear from the website that was the case, it indicated all versions of this particular model box was Scarlett v3. In fact I never saw the driver option he selected when I was searching, must have been on a different page, idk.
Anyway props to Focusrite for following thru and solving my problem!
 
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