Hi, new to the forum, but gotta say, lookin at the threads up here it looks like a great place with some cool posters. Now that I've kissed up (jk), wonderin if anyone might be able to shed some light on this one? Can't get my (new) 404 to accept audio from a looping device. Here's the page for the looper:
http://www.redsound.com/products/soundbitemicro

And here's how the routing should work:
DJM 600 (SEND) > REDSOUND SOUNDBITE MICRO > SP 404 > DJM 600 (RETURN)

(I've left out the midi part cos for now I'm just concerned bout the audio)

Problem is, I'm not getting any audio in the 404 (have checked with 'phones plugged to the 404, and, nada). And yes, External Source is on.

To narrow it down, I tested running the audio without the Soundbite looper in these two setups:

1- CD PLAYER (rca out) > 404 (rca in) > DJM 600 (RETURN)
is fine. The 404 has no problems picking up an audio signal from the cd player and passing it to the RETURN of the mixer, which then puts it out through the Master.

2 -DJM 600 (SEND) > SP 404 > DJM 600 (RETURN)
This is how a lot of people use it when adding to a dj set, and it works fine, I get audio in and out, can mix, add effects and beats/samples that get added to the signal as it goes back to the mixer, no problems

But the advantages of using the looping device instead of just going to the 404 and back are this:
- should be able to sync the 404 via midi to the looping device (which bases its midi info on the internal and very accurate bpm counter). So, whatever I trigger on the 404 will be in time with the audio being channeled to it
- the looping device can be used to grab loops from whatever I'm playing and add that back to the mix (it'll play a loop over the current track while that's being sent through it).

Any ideas why the 404 doesn't like the audio from the Soundbite? Connections by the way are: 3.5mm headphone style jack out of the Soundbite, split into 2 rcas which are plugged into the 404 inputs. I have also by the way, tested running just:

MIXER(SEND) > SOUNDBITE > MIXER (RETURN)

and this also works, so it's not purely the audio out of the Soundbite. Seems to be something about the step from the Soundbite to the 404. Hmmm. Any ideas much appreciated!

dchan

Yo I was also looking into that soundbite... but actually don't have one.
All I know is that there are two "modes". One is that looping mode and the other that audio-to-midi-sync-mode.
I think when it's on midi sync, there is no audio coming outta the soundbite. Correct me if I'm wrong...!!!



but it isnt working with the 404??? Oh well... that makes no sense at all...

Does the audio-to-midi sync works good?! I mean I wanted to have one for syncing a loopstation with my 404...!?

hey Wax, thanks for the reply =)

to answer your question first up, i can put the soundbite in "midi" mode, and still get audio coming through it, to the 404, and back to the mixer and dee speakers. what it can't do in midi mode, is loop stuff (either record or playback as far as i know...though i'm still getting to know the gadget).

the fact that I know this means, yes, i got the damn thing working...somehow

I ended up realising the soundbite has a Headphone out as well as a "Loops Out", and they both use the same type of jack. So I connected like this:
DJM 600 (SEND) > Soundbite Micro (3.5mm jack AUDIO IN)(headphone jack AUDIO OUT) > 404 (rca IN)(rca OUT > DJM 600 (RETURN)

and that was it

Then triggered some samples and found they were drowning out the track, so changed to this setup so I can boost the track (using the Microphone gain) to match the level of the samples:
DJM 600 (SEND)> Soundbite > 404 (Microphone socket IN )(rca audio OUT) > DJM 600 (RETURN)

And since I still can't figure why the Soundbite "Loops Out" socket isn't sending audio to the 404, will fire off an email to the makers today.


As for the the "audio-to-midi sync", have only had a quick stab at getting that working. I know a few professionals use the Soundbite to sync
Ableton to what they have running through a mixer, so I've assumed the syncing is pretty damn good before I bought it. Will let you know when I get it running for myself though, shouldn't be too long.

Btw, after finally getting the sound running in one big loop (Mixer>Soundbite>404>Mixer>Amp) I might end up doing something like this:

DJM 600 > AMP
+
DJM 600 (SEND) > Soundbite > DJM 600 (RETURN) [means i have a looping function at the flick of a switch]
+
404 > DJM 600 (SPARE LINE CHANNEL) [so I can play samples and pre-built loops from the memory card, effect them on the 404 AND the 600 as well, AND EQ that channel on the 600)
+
Soundbite (Midi OUT) > 404 (Midi IN) [so anything triggered from the 404 will be in time - the Soundbite still takes a signal even when Send/Return is switched off on the 600]

this means I loose a channel at some point (I already have all channels connected to the total 2 decks and 2 cdjs I play with), though really, given the amount of vinyl I play these days, it won't have a great impact. I just won't be able to add samples when I'm playing vinyl on say, CH2, but then I won't play on that deck unless I have to (ie. I've already got vinyl playing on ch3 and want to play another record).

any thoughts?

cheers,

dchan