I bought the RODE NT1 Condensor Mic, trying to hookup to Maschine 2.0.

LeoMajor
LeoMajor Member Posts: 31 Member
edited May 16 in Maschine

So as the title says I bought the Rode NT1

and I assumed it would connect to the MIDI in the back of my Maschine 2.0 (cause I knew it had MIDI ports)

So of course when I went to connect the XLR to it, it was the wrong connection.

So i have 3 questions.

1) Should I send this one back (NT1) and buy the NT1 5th Gen that has a USB connection so I can just hook it up to my PC for ease of use?

image.png


2) if hooking it up to my PC via USB C isn't a good option then what piece of equipment should I be looking for. Would a simple cord converted from MIC XLR to MIDI 1.0 or MIDI CC that Maschine 2.0 has be good enough? or

3) Am I going to have to buy a an Audio interface? If so will it connect from the audio interface into the Maschine 2.0 MIDI CC or to my PC? (which is better?)

image.png



Also which do I get? Is the 70$ M AUDIO one good enough?

I am just recording my raps/lyrics in better quality so I am not a "fboy/phoneboy" rapper anymore :D

Thank you for anyone who replies, ahead of time.

Best Answer

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,499 Expert
    edited May 16 Answer ✓

    Yes, that audio interface can be enough.i see it has Phantom power to power your condenser mic. And from the blurred picture it also seems it has direct out (so you should be able to monitor your voice without latency)

    You can plug the Audio interface in your computer and then select it as the interface for Maschine. In this way your mic audio will go to Maschine and you can record there.

    Be aware of a couple of things:

    • First: selecting an audio interface for Maschine, even the output will be from that interface (headphones or speakers connected to it) and not from the computer (you can always switch back and forth)
    • Second (and maybe more important): Maschine is not the best option for arranging/managing long audio recordings. You can do it (maybe using Clips that can cross over patterns length) but it’s not so comfortable

    A possibility could be to use a DAW where you load Maschine as a VST on a track and record your vocals on another more comfortably.

    There are many possibility on the market (free DAWs that will allow you to do that without committing to spend money).

    Also your M-track solo comes with bundled softwares, but I can’t understand exactly which ones: some sites talk about AIR fxs, some synths, MPC Beats and Reasons Studio… some others Avid FXs, MPC Beats and Pro Tools First… try to see if you can understand what is bundled if you buy it from the site you posted (in any case it’s indicated “Software Suite included”, so something will be bundled). And in any case, as said, there are free DAWs available on the internet.

    Another thing to be aware about that site (and its price): I’ve seen better prices for the M Track solo (at least in Europe)… so maybe check if someone is offering it for less 😉.
    Also seeing your screenshot of the Maschine MK2 listed for $638 (😶😶😶) makes me think that finding the best prices is not your best virtue ☺️

Answers

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,499 Expert
    edited May 16

    MIDI? What would a microphone even have to do with MIDI?

    I think you are a little confused about microphones (or MIDI). I would make some researches about those things to have a clearer idea. (MIDI is a type of message for controllers, physical or virtual, not for audio)

    About some of your questions: the NT1 requires Phantom power, so it can’t be connected to Maschine. Even buying a cable to plug it in Maschine Jack input (Jack, not MIDI) would not make it work.

    Buying the 5th gen with USB capability could be a problem too: when a Mic is plugged with USB it is sort of seen as an audio interface, and therefore it will interfere with the choice of which audio interface will be used by Maschine software (you can’t set up an audio interface for input and another one for output). Using some more programs (like some Virtual cables one) could solve the issue, but it would be better to have the right tools for the situation instead.

    Buying an audio interface will workaround the issue, since you will use that one plugged into the computer (once again you can’t plug an audio interface in the MIDI ports) instead of the Maschine internal audio interface. In case, be sure that it supports Phantom power if you want to use the NT1.


    Although the NT1 is a good mic for the price (I own one), I think you simply chose the wrong mic for your needs. Instead of adding up gears like an ulterior audio interface (unless you need it also for other reasons), I would have a look at buying another mic that satisfies your needs (e.g. being able to plug it to your Maschine, therefore one that doesn’t require Phantom power). The SM58 is a popular (and inexpensive) choice between rappers.


    Always if the Maschine you have is MK3 and has the built in Audio interface to plug the mic in it (you named Maschine 2.0, which in fact is not even the way Maschine hardwares are defined, but the software). If you have Maschine MK2 it doesn’t even have an audio interface. And in your profile you even say you have a MK1.

    Yeah… the whole situation is quite confusing. Some researches made beforehand by your side and giving some proper informations could help ☺️

  • LeoMajor
    LeoMajor Member Posts: 31 Member
    edited May 16

    Apologies for the confusion.

    When I said I have Machine 2.0 yes I meant MK2. At least I Think it's the MK2 this is the one I have

    image.png



    I am going to keep using the XLR. I just assumed that XLR/MIDI was the same thing, today I learned it wasn't.

    SO i am going to scrap the whole plugging it into maschine.

    So my question is, is all I need to plug this mic into is a Audio interface, and does that plug into my PC?

    I just want to record with the microphone and then import it into maschine 2.0 DAW over some beats if I want kind of thing

  • LeoMajor
    LeoMajor Member Posts: 31 Member
    image.png



    Will this be good enough to plug the NT1 into and record verses onto my PC? Will the Maschine 2.0 DAW allow me to record if i connect this to it? Will I have to record to a separate piece of software like AUDACITY (I know, it's just the cheap free one I know of) and then I can import that recording into Maschine and layer it with a beat that either I make myself or download from youtube?

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,499 Expert
    edited May 16 Answer ✓

    Yes, that audio interface can be enough.i see it has Phantom power to power your condenser mic. And from the blurred picture it also seems it has direct out (so you should be able to monitor your voice without latency)

    You can plug the Audio interface in your computer and then select it as the interface for Maschine. In this way your mic audio will go to Maschine and you can record there.

    Be aware of a couple of things:

    • First: selecting an audio interface for Maschine, even the output will be from that interface (headphones or speakers connected to it) and not from the computer (you can always switch back and forth)
    • Second (and maybe more important): Maschine is not the best option for arranging/managing long audio recordings. You can do it (maybe using Clips that can cross over patterns length) but it’s not so comfortable

    A possibility could be to use a DAW where you load Maschine as a VST on a track and record your vocals on another more comfortably.

    There are many possibility on the market (free DAWs that will allow you to do that without committing to spend money).

    Also your M-track solo comes with bundled softwares, but I can’t understand exactly which ones: some sites talk about AIR fxs, some synths, MPC Beats and Reasons Studio… some others Avid FXs, MPC Beats and Pro Tools First… try to see if you can understand what is bundled if you buy it from the site you posted (in any case it’s indicated “Software Suite included”, so something will be bundled). And in any case, as said, there are free DAWs available on the internet.

    Another thing to be aware about that site (and its price): I’ve seen better prices for the M Track solo (at least in Europe)… so maybe check if someone is offering it for less 😉.
    Also seeing your screenshot of the Maschine MK2 listed for $638 (😶😶😶) makes me think that finding the best prices is not your best virtue ☺️

  • LeoMajor
    LeoMajor Member Posts: 31 Member
    edited May 16

    Man I do appreciate all your help and I am sorry these are simple/annoying questions but you sure are condescending with a few things you say -.0

    Like I said, I already own the MK2, I was just showing a picture from google. The price didn't matter but yes 650$ for an old MK2 would be insane. I basically paid that for it brand new like 8 years ago.

    I showed you Canadian prices from Amazon they are always higher here in Canada. If I ordered it from Europe I would end up paying more with the conversation + shipping etc.

    You told me enough that I know I fan order this M AUDIO and I will have what I need though so thank you very much.

    Looks like I will make beats on Maschine, record audio seperatelu and then find a convient DAW/software to layer them together (I also can't stand the clips and scenes ****** Machine does, To me I just want to write out(snare on 2/4 drum 1/3 with a hi hat changing tempo etc etc) on 8/16/32 bars of a boom bap and then loop it. But I assume it's better that way for more experienced users and people who make more intricate beats that change alot like EDM.

    Once again thank you for your time, I ordered the M AUDIO.

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,499 Expert
    edited May 16

    You’re very welcome 👍🏼

    No question is annoying: when learning to do something a person has all the rights to not know how they work. It’s natural.

    And… really sorry if I sounded condescending… that is something I really hate and therefore I’m ashamed if I did it. Sorry again

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