Is iMic the problem?

[NeMusashi]

I've attempted to record my guitar direct, via iMic, from its 1/4 inch jack and have been relatively successful. However, I'm unable to hear any other tracks when I overdub, that includes midi tracks as well. I don't have this problem when I overdub using my iBook's built-in mic. It only happens when I use the iMic. I've heard the iMic, though inexpensive, has its flaws. Someone recommended I try using a device made by Edirol, though I forget which one. Any suggestions or FYI's would be appreciated. Recordings sound so much cleaner when they're direct.

[Jerm]

I am not sure I understand your problem but perhaps a mixer would help. An inexpensive mixer placed before your input would allow you to hear all tracks, input or output when recording.

[NeMusashi]

I cannot hear live audio. Nor can I hear audio that I've just recorded. I know this audio exists because I can see its wave, and the aif file of it can be played. I fiddled around in the System Preferences Sound panel, but to no avail. I've also checked the instruments window, and all instruments are turned up and un-muted. I've a bad feeling I'm overlooking something here that's terribly obvious. I've also got a bad feeling that I'm doing a horrendous job at explaining my difficulties. Apologies.

[Scoot]

What kind of mac are you on?
Does it have audio in and out?
Out at least would be good to plug in headphones to hear your signals going in.

Does the imic allow playthrough?
Does metro's software audiothru do anything from the switches menu? (I have no idea how USB input devices pass their signal and if it can be heard......but I would expect its possible).

scoot.

[NeMusashi]

I'm using a 500 mHZ, dual USB iBook with 128mb of internal ram. So, there's no audio in; just a headphone jack. I've used Bias Deck LE in the past and could hear my signal live while using the iMic. (The signal was distorted by persistant crackle and pop, which Bias told me was Apple's fault for using a certain kind of USB. Yeah, right.) So, to answer your question, iMic does have play through capabilities, and the USB signal can be heard. I checked out the switches menu, but nothing seemed applicable. I know there's a remedy to this situation, it's just that I'm too new at this to have developed a sense that could lead me in the right direction. I wonder if this difficulty is being caused at all by the fact that I've an Oxygen 8 plugged into the USB slot? Hmmm...

[Jerm]

Play-thru, which allows play directly through plug-ins, is a function available only on the full version of Metro, so if you are using the SE version, that option will not be available. Play-thru does not work properly on USB interfaces that use Apple's built-in driver because input and output are decoupled (not synchronized).

I would suggest buying a low-cost mixer.

As for hearing the original audio, make sure your tracks has the output instrument correctly assigned and the port that that output instrument refers to is the iMic. (option click on the assigned instrument to open the define instrument dialog).

[Scoot]

(option click on the assigned instrument to open the define instrument dialog).

Option click in the graphic editor window and sections window.
Double click fader name in the mixer (old instruments) window.
"Define Output" dialog.

scoot.