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How to Hook Up XLR Mics & Cubase 5

Cubase 5 is a music production program made by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Cubase 5 lets you record, edit, mix and master your songs on a computer. Using XLR microphones as well as the MIDI sounds in Cubase 5 allows you to create a live feel on the recording. Without live instruments, your music risks sounding too digital and cold. By using XLR microphones, you get the benefit of live audio and the associated acoustics, plus the digital editing advantages provided by Cubase 5.

Things You'll Need

  • XLR microphone
  • XLR cable
  • audio interface
  • Computer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect your audio interface to your computer. This device is a signal processor that turns the sound of your live instruments or voice into digital data before sending it to Cubase.This typically calls for a Firewire cable or a USB cable, depending on the make and model of your audio interface. Newer audio interfaces typically have Firewire cables, for quicker data transfer and lower latency. Plug the cable into the USB or Firewire output on the rear of the audio interface and connect it to the relevant port on the computer. The ports are located on the side of laptops and on the front or rear panel of desktop systems.

    • 2

      Connect an XLR cable to each microphone. Plug the female end of the cable into the three-pin male XLR socket on the bottom of the microphone.

    • 3

      Connect the other end of the XLR cable to the XLR input jack on the audio interface. The amount of XLR inputs varies according to brand and model. For example, the Focusrite Saffire Pro audio interface has two XLR inputs. This doesn't limit the amount of XLR tracks you can record, just the amount you can record at the same time.

    • 4

      Open up Cubase 5. Double-click the desktop icon. If you don't have a Cubase 5 desktop icon, select "Start", "Programs" and select "Cubase 5" from the menu, if using a PC. For Mac, open the "Applications" folder and select "Cubase 5" from there.

    • 5

      Click "Devices" at the top-left of the Cubase 5 interface. Select your audio interface from the drop down menu. This assigns the XLR connected audio interface as the primary audio source in Cubase 5. Any sound recorded by a microphone via the audio interface XLR connection automatically records to a Cubase 5 audio channel.

    • 6

      Send an audio source down the microphone. Do this by either singing or playing acoustic guitar into the microphone. Monitor the meter section of the audio interface. If the red LED is flashing, turn the "Gain" dial down. The LED indicates signal overload. If the signal is too strong, the recording becomes distorted.

    • 7

      Click "New" and select "Audio." This opens up a blank audio track. When you're ready to record, hit "Record" and sing down the microphone.

Recording Music

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