SCA STUDIOS HANDBOOK

Instruction Manual & FAQs

scasoundstudios@cdm.depaul.edu

If you find something broken, missing, out of place, etc. please notify the studio manager(s) immediately via ServiceNow or email SCASoundStudio@cdm.depaul.edu!

Before You Start:

1. Make sure DADman and EU Control are open on the Mac
   
   1. Dadman lets you control your monitor levels
   2. Eucon connects external devices to Pro Tools

                                                                                              2.  Open Avid Control on the iPad - Password: 123456

                                           Select monitoring tab (controls talkback, speaker volume, and speaker soloing) - below is what the app will look like once Dadman is linked:

                                                                                                                                           

If you find something broken, missing, out of place, etc. please notify the studio manager(s) immediately via ServiceNow or email SCASoundStudio@cdm.depaul.edu!

 

Starting A New Session & Recording:

 

VIDEO TUTORIALS ON DESKTOP

 

                                                         1) Make sure that the settings are as follows when you open Pro Tools

    a. DOUBLE CHECK the I/O Settings are set to “724 HOME BASE” or “600A SAFE.” These will be the settings you need to use for the system to work properly with the 5.1 setup.

    b. Choose session Sample Rate (48kHz, 44.1 kHz, etc.) and Bit Depth (16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit, etc) according to your needs (Industry standard: 24-bit, 48kHz)

                             c. Save the session to your hard drive (USB hubs by mic preamps), anything on the desktop will be deleted.

 

                                                                             2. Record track setup:

                                                                                 a.Create a mono audio track (Cmnd + shift + N)

                                                                                    b. DOUBLE CHECK that the input on your track matches the input you plugged the microphone into in the live room/booth.

                                                                                         c. Record track should output to the room’s 5.1 output

                                                                                            d. Select the “I” (Input Monitoring) icon to activate the mic.

 

                                                                                        3. Talkback setup: (ability to talk to talent in live room/booth)

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Create a new mono track
                                 2.  Select input as TB in 724 or as Grace 2 (Talkback) in 600a
                                 3. Select output as Headphone 1 (HP 1) (or whichever headphone amp it was plugged into)
                                 4. Turn up preamp gain as needed until headphone monitoring sounds good

 

                                                                                       4. Routing Headphone sends:

                                                           Put a headphone send on every track you want the talent to hear (such as the record track for hearing their own voice). Turn up the fader for each send (0 dB)

 

                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                       5. Record enable tracks:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Select the red dot beneath the track name to arm the track
                                    2. Select the red dot on the transport (top right)
                                    3. To listen to your recording the record enable button must be off

 

 

Shutting Down:

 

1. Save your project to your personal drive. Eject your hard drive from the dock.
2. Quit out of all programs → log out of student
3. Turn off all TVs
4. Take down mics (MAKE SURE +48V PHANTOM POWER IS TURNED OFF ON PREAMPS BEFORE GEAR STRIKING), wrap cables (over-under), put away headphones, put mic stands away, and clean the live room. Make sure gear is placed on the used gear shelf
5. Set the thermostats back to 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Turn off the lights.

 

Leave the studio exactly as you found it, preferably nicer.

 

 

If you find something broken, missing, out of place, etc. please notify the studio manager(s) immediately via ServiceNow or email SCASoundStudio@cdm.depaul.edu!

 

 

CDM SOUND STUDIO

FAQs & Troubleshooting

 

1. Why is there no sound when I play something in Pro Tools?

 

1. 1. Check the playback engine:
      
      1. Click on setup → Playback Engine
         
         1. Select the dropdown menu and set the playback engine to “HDX.”
         2. Press “OK.”

 

1. 2. Check your session I/O settings:
      
      1. Click on setup → I/O
         
         1. At the bottom of the window select “Import Settings.”
         2. Import the most recent I/O profile.
            
            1. Example: 04.04.2022_600aSAFE.pio

 

1. 3. Check your I/O settings on your tracks:
      
      1. Click on the output dropdown menu on your desired track.
      2. Select an active output of your choosing.
         
         1. Example: 5.1

 

 

2. Why is the mic not inputting audio into Pro Tools?

 

2. 1. Confirm the track you are using for recording/talkback is MONO.

 

2. 2. Select the “I” icon beneath the track name 

2. 3. Confirm the mic preamp is turned on:
      
      1. Based on mic selection, you may need to turn on phantom power.
         
         1. Example: + 48V button on preamp (Grace 1)
         2. See list of microphones attached to cabinet for more information.

 

2. 4. Check your I/O settings on your track:
      
      1. Set your track’s input to whichever input you have plugged an XLR into.

 

2. 5. Check your session I/O settings:
      
      1. (see 1B above)

 

3. Why is Dadman not sync locked and blinking red at me?
   
   1. This is a clocking issue (it relates to the digital sampling of the audio, if not synced it can mess with monitor playback).
      
      1. Make sure in session under setup, the Clock Source is set to SYNC HD (not Matrix)
      2. Make sure the Matrix Clock setting are set to “WordClock” and not “Intern”
   2. Dadman should show a green “locked” status after completing the above.
   3. If changing

 

4. What can I use the mixing board for?
   
   1. The Avid S3 Mixing Board can be used for quickly controlling tracks within your pro tools session. For example:
      
      1. 1) Lower or raise track levels with the faders. 2) Automate levels (when your track is set to modes such as “latch”). 3) Pan left/right. 4) Automate left right panning (when your track is set to modes such as “latch”). 5) Mute tracks. 5) Solo tracks
   2. If you want to learn about the Avid S3 Mixer, there are tons of excellent youtube videos explaining workflow integration, function, ect! We recommend you use this tool to try something new!

 

5. How can I get rid of the HVAC noise?
   
   1. In CDM 724, you may notice air conditioning noise in your recordings. There are a few ways to approach this problem:
      
      1. Turn of the AC in the live room (push the scroll wheel to the right)

1. 1. 1. Utilize noise reduction plug-ins after recording
      2. Directly insert a noise reduction plug in to your recording track.

• There will always be numerous controllable and uncontrollable factors contributing to unwanted background noise. We recommend you reserve CDM 600A and compare the quality of recordings each studio can provide. Both rooms have pros and cons, so it is best to decide your own preferred studio!

 

6. How do I use the midi keyboard?
   
   1. On the back left side of the midi keyboard is a power button. Press in to power on.
   2. The keyboard should automatically link to your DAW (Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools)
      
      1. If this is not the case, please contact SCASoundStudio@cdm.depaul.edu

 

7. Why does the recording sound loud through the speakers, but have a low signal in my digital meters?
   
   1. This is a sign you may be monitoring too high. Go into DADman, and lower the level of your monitors. (see “Before You Start” above)