Personally, all my analog synths (including my beloved 1975 Minimoog D) are plugged into an analog multi-channel mixer, and then directly to the line input on my Mac Mini. I then use Audacity software to record them. I will occasionally use some external effects like the EHX Cathedral stereo reverb, a Small Stone phaser, and a delay (either the one in the Cathedral or a Boss DD-7).
I process my Minitaur using Moogerfoogers MF102, 103 & CP-251 (etc) and run a mono output through a Golden Age Projects PreQ-73 (Neve clone) pre amp. On occasion, I like to fatten the sound some more using the 2x shelving EQs the GAP PreQ-73 provides. My preferred recorder of choice is a Zoom H4n which I record direct to. This is because I believe the signal quality to be cleaner recording direct from the GAP Pre amp to the Zoom H4n at 24Bit/48Khz, rather than direct to a DAW, and from there I can import the audio files in to my hard drive via USB. I’m not decrying recording direct to DAW it’s just my preferred method.
I have the Minitaur and a Sub37 hitting the DI channels of an Audient ASP880. I love the raw sounds I’m getting. The signals then get sent to my Raydat via optical and recorded in Nuendo. With my buffers set to 32 on the Raydat I get very little latency and I usually end up using UAD Reverbs and Echoes for FX. I especially like their versions of the Echoplex EP-3 & EP-4 Tape Echoes (2 instances for stereo fun) and the Lexi 224, AMS RMX16, EMTPlate 140, EMT 250.
Does anyone have like a super beginning level way to record the sounds? I have a focusrite 6i6, a mini moog model d and midi cables what else do I need to get this to work? i can see the midi notes in logic but cant hear any audio. My knowledge on this kinda stuff is lacking so any help is appreciated!
Welcome to the forum Jessica. My approach to recording either of my Moogs is to use the signal chain that will deliver the sound I need at the moment. If I need a cleaner, subtle, or tight sound I may record my Moog direct. If I need a fatter, richer sound, or some distortion, I’ll patch my Moog through one of my older analog boards and a hardware analog effects unit or possibly send it through a tube amp. Committing to an effects chain can significantly speed up the recording process and provide a sense of spontaneity and creativity. However you do need some advanced planning on how everything will come together because most effects are difficult to remove once they are added during the initial recording process. What gear do you currently have available to create a recording chain?
all synths pass through a patchbay ( for inserting certain effects , splitting etc) , then to a analogue mixer ( soundtracs project8, 32ch +32, 8 groups) and into a rme ff400 to mac/cubase.
afcourse on the mixer diverse effects are added like springreveb ( fairchild) , echo ( maxon/ibanez bucket delay) etc.
works good for me.
monitoring is important topic too: dynaudio bm15p’s with van medervoort ( dutch) amp for the mixing
or
peavey eurosys speakers with old Bell amp and active subwoofer ( magnat) for the jamming and or live performance, also to prevent damage to the more vulnerable / expensive dynaudio’s.
(most of these components can be bought secondhand for not too big prices. b.e. a project8 mixer on the moment is being sold in the netherlands for ( asking price) 500 euro’s , a pair of bm15p’s will set you back about 600 euro’s etc. combined with b.e. a samson amp or second hand rotel or kenwood might give you good soundmonitoring for reasonable price/ 1150euro’s )
The audio output from my Moogs is sent to a Yamaha MG10/2 mixer. I’ll add in some reverb and then the output of the mixer is sent to my Alesis iO2, which is a USB sound interface connected to my iMac. I use Garageband for recording, and I have a pair of KRK Rokit 5 monitors.
If I’m just messing around, instead of the mixer I’ll just send a mono signal to an old 1972 Fender Bassman 100 amp, crank it up and watch the furniture in the room move.