How to Input Audio to Mixcraft Using a Mic

By Maya Austen

Connecting a microphone to your computer allows you to record audio from the room into computer.
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Mixcraft is a multi-track audio recording and editing application developed by Acoustica. To input audio into Mixcraft using a microphone, a microphone has to be hooked up to your computer. There are two ways of accomplishing this task depending upon the type of microphone you are using. If you’re using a computer mic, the microphone is connected to the computer via the computer’s sound card. If you’re using a microphone with an XLR connector, the microphone has to be connected to the computer via an audio interface. Once the microphone is connected to the computer, Mixcraft can be used to record audio from the mic.

Connect Microphone to Computer Via the Computer’s Sound Card

Step 1

Plug the computer microphone’s plug into the computer’s “Mic” jack.

Step 2

Plug a pair of headphone’s into the computer’s headphones jack.

Step 3

Turn off the computer’s speakers, if applicable, to prevent audio feedback during your recording.

Connect Microphone to Computer Via a USB Audio Interface

Step 1

Load the installation disc that came with the USB audio interface into the computer’s CD drive. An installation wizard will automatically load. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the drivers for the audio interface device onto your computer.

Step 2

Connect the audio interface’s power cable to its power jack. Plug the power cable into an electrical outlet. Turn the device on.

Step 3

Plug one end of the USB cable into the USB port on the audio interface. Plug the other end of this cable into an available USB port on your computer.

Step 4

Insert the microphone’s plug into the “Mic” jack on the audio interface.

Step 5

Plug a pair of headphone’s into the computer’s headphone jack.

Step 6

Turn off the computer’s speakers, if applicable, to prevent audio feedback during your recording.

Record Audio from Mic Using Mixcraft

Step 1

Launch Mixcraft. Go to the “File” menu. Select “New Project.” Select “Record Yourself or Your Band.”

Step 2

Go to the “File” menu. Select “Preferences.” The “Music Preferences” dialog box will open. Select “Sound Device” in the menu panel.

Step 3

Set the “Driver” to “ASIO” if the microphone is connected to the computer via a USB audio interface that uses ASIO driver (refer to the device’s specifications if you are unsure). Otherwise set the “Driver” to “Wave.” Click “OK.”

Step 4

Click on the “Arm” button located in the track header of an empty track. The “Arm” button will turn red indicating that the track has been enabled for recording.

Step 5

Open the “Arm” drop-down menu by clicking the little arrow next to the “Arm” button. Select the sound card or audio interface’s “Mic” input, whichever is applicable.

Step 6

Click on the “Track” tab. Turn the “Monitor” option “On.”

Step 7

Press the "Record" button. Speak into the microphone or play your instrument into the microphone. The record meter bar in the track header of the armed track should be bouncing. A wave should be forming on the armed track. Click the "Stop" button to end the recording.

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