Great solution, but I still have some concerns with the cables coming and going to the notebook. In my case, I think I have everything else OK. However, I am planning to use an Alesis Multiumix Firewire mixer and Garageband. Before I do my first connection, I would like to clarify the cable settings from my notebook to the mixer. So, I need a 1/8” plug to 1/4” plug cable from notebook Headphone Line Out to one of Mixer MIC Line In, and then another similar cable from the Aux Sends from the mixer to the notebook Audio Line In. One last question is there any problem using stereo cables or I need to use stereo to mono. Thank you.

At the moment, we do all the recording “off-air” and publish it as podcast only. With this setup, inserting “live” bumpers gets tricky because the only sound being fed back into skype for everyone on the line to listen is only my voice (otherwise you get the feedback loop that I mentioned). I can’t be specific about shoutcast since I’ve never used it. Nonetheless, if you have a USB-interface with an output option besides the USB (or you can use the master mix from the board), I believe that you can feed it into your line-in port on the computer (NOT the mic input) and use that port with shoutcast. It will take a little trial and error, but I’m sure it is possible. The problem with feeding everything back into skype is always the feedback loop, your co-host will start listen to himself with some delay.
Hope this helped somehow.

As I mentioned, I prefer to have both channels on a single track. That way, when editing I don’t have to worry about out-of-sync problems. In any case, you can start recording on 2 mono tracks with one selected for the left channel and the other for the right. In any case, if you’re using a similar setup to mine, you will still need to pan the inputs on the mixer.
Don’t know if this was much of a help.

Exactly what I needed to know!

Thanks again,
Ray

This all depends on what you want to do. From my understanding of your comment, you have the 502 and an iMic USB adapter. If you intend only to record the sound coming from your microphone, then you only need that 1x 2 RCA to 1/8″ cable and the XLR cable. You’ll want to connect the CD/Tape out to your IN on the USB interface. I’m not familiar with the iMic, but if it is in any way similar to my Edirol, it shows up as different sound driver. The second RCA to 1/8″ you mentioned connecting the USB OUT to the board is really not going to be necessary as you’re not feeding any sound from the computer into the mix and back into the computer again. If you want to insert any sound clips, I’d do it in processing with software. The difference is, if you wish to insert sound clips while streaming live. In this case, I’d connect your out on the computer (not on the USB interface) to one line-in channel on the board using a 1/8″ to 2 1/4″ cable so that you can actually easily control the volume.
You mention that you’re not using the headphones jack. If you’re going to be talking on a microphone, use it. You’re microphone technique will improve greatly if you can monitor yourself while speaking. This was one of the main reasons for me to go with the mixer option and not just with a XLR to USB interface.

I hope this helped.

2 x 1/8″ Mini to 2 RCA Male Connector similar to something like this (http://www.amazon.com/Recoton-ACW339-Audio-Cable-Connector/dp/B00006HOIT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1239698490&sr=1-1).

Is that all? Thanks to all with suggestions!

Your schematic diagram was just the thing I was looking for. While I have the 502 series, the basics seem to be the same.

For people not recording skype calls such as myself, how would the setup differ? I will just be recording myself on podcasts.

Also, I was wondering if you could provide a list of cables and quantity necessary for the entire setup (such as 1 x RCA to 1/8 inch, 2x 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch converters, etc.)

Here was my understanding:
1. Mic to Mic Preamp #1 via XLR cable
2. Mixer output (CD/Tape) to USB Interface (iMic) ‘In’ to laptop
3. Mixer input (CD/Tape) to USB Interface (iMic) ‘Out’ to laptop
Done//

I’m not sure if this is a correct setup… and I haven’t seemed to utilize the LINE IN 2/3 (mono or balanced), MAIN OUT, & PHONES jacks.

Love your show
Thanks Antonios,
Regards,
Ray

That’s just Brian’s voice… can’t change it. Kidding…

The main problem is that the perfect equalization settings for each person I have with me are very different, but Skype returns everything on one channel so there is no way I can setup a different equalization for each. Maybe I can check if their soundcards allow for output equalization BEFORE the sound goes into Skype. And what about in general? Does the show sound better after we changed the setup or it’s worse?

In my compressing pass I use a threshold of -10dB, margin of -0.1dB, attack time of 4ms and release time of 300ms.
It’s probably not the best setting, but it works and truthfully I still did not play too much with it.
Thanks for your comment.

Glad that you wrote about the solution that you have found for recording Skype. Me I am very seriously considering a digital mixer and doing it directly from there directly to recording software. See Ep 12 of Podcasters Emporium – thinking of something similar to James’ set up (Episode 12: The Ins and Outs of Mixers)

This set up is defiantly not the easiest thing in the world to sort out – seems you have a great handle on it though and it works! You have to be happy with what and how your doing it and your sound is good so you must be doing something right.

Nice work mate and thank you very much for the mention, much appreciated.

I see your blog search is working ok.

I’m going to take the bait on this one. So, with your solution I need 3 pieces of hardware, with mine, 4. “All that hardware…”? I have the feeling that you’re assuming I use the mixer just as a way to connect the microphone. Very different from reality. If that was the case I would have chosen a USB mic.

Now, I see how the product your company sells might be a good solution for portability, having the preamp powered by the USB, and it has it’s own purpose by itself. If you notice, I mention that Jim uses a similar setup and with similar goals so I’m not in any way detracting from it.

I’m sure that it also works very well if the podcast is not a conference call but just one person. With the way we do it, and with me recording on my side, such a setup as what you suggest would make it impracticable. First, I like to be able to equalize both my voice and my co-hosts’ before it’s converted back to digital. Also, as I mentioned, I want to be able to record to two different locations using one as the main recording and one as backup. Third, I’m not really understanding how using that setup you’re able to monitor your own voice (which to me is very important to improve microphone technique).

As I stated, I’m sure that our setup is not the best, but knowing that the product your company sells has roughly the same price as my mixer, and not needing the portability, the choice was obvious.

Anyway, thanks for your input.

http://www.centrance.com/products/mp/