Getting started with the Direct Pro and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9

Here is a quick guide to get you started with the Direct Pro and the bundled Cakewalk Pro Audio software. Although these instructions refer to Cakewalk 9, you can use the Direct Pro with virtually any software package out there. If there is another program you prefer to use, by all means do so.

First, you need to be sure that you are getting input and playback on your Direct Pro 24/96 / Direct Pro LX6
Open the Aardvark Manager software by clicking the desktop icon, or by selecting it from your Windows start menu.

The input meters on the bottom should respond to your incoming signal.

If they are not responding, make sure the input is not muted.

There is also the chance that the signal simply requires more gain. For the Direct Pro 24/96, this is applied by using the trim knob and the MC1 and MC2 buttons at the top of each input control. For the Direct Pro LX6, this is used by using the trim knob and the +4 and -10 dB buttons at the top of each input channel.

If the meters are still not responding, you may need to perform the input/output test available here
I/O Test

If the meters are responding, great! It's time to move on.

Click on the PATCH BAY button.
This will open up the PATCH BAY. Connect Monitor L,R to all 3 outputs on the right, if it is not already configured that way.

Once the patch bay is configured, you should be able to hear your incoming signal through the outputs. Be sure you are using the outputs of the Direct Pro 24/96. You cannot monitor the Direct Pro 24/96 inputs through the outputs of another soundcard.

Note: Some of these graphics refer to the Direct Pro 24/96. If you are using the LX6, the same instructions apply.

Now it's time to Open Cakewalk
Go to OPTIONS | AUDIO

Here, I have 24 bit and a sampling rate of 44100 chosen. You may choose different sample rates and bit depths if desired.

Also, you can attempt to lower your mixing latency by reducing the buffer size and the number of buffers in the playback queue. If the mixing latency is too low, you may get glitches in your audio.

On the DRIVERS tab, just be sure that you have all of your desired Aardvark devices activated.

Next, go to the ADVANCED tab

Here's how to set it up.

On the DEVICE PROFILES tab, be sure that "Use wave out position for timing" is not enabled for any of your Aardvark devices.

Click OK to exit your audio options. You may need to restart Cakewalk for your changes to register.

Right click track one in Cakewalk and select "Track Properties"
This will bring up a track properties menu that allows you to choose the recording and playback device for the track.

"Source" refers to the recording device. If you want to record only one input onto a track, be sure of have the "Left" or "Right" side of the device, as opposed to "Stereo", which records two inputs simultaneously.

"Port" Refers to your output device. In both the "source" and "port" menus, your devices may have a wave icon, or a note icon assigned to it. The Wave icon refers to an audio device, and the note icon refers to a wave device.

The options beneath Source and Prot are for MIDI only.

Click OK once you have chosen your recording and playback device.

Click the R on your track to arm it for recording.
To verify that Cakewalk is getting a signal, go to VIEW | CONSOLE, and Cakewalks mixing console will appear.

If Cakewalk is receiving signal from your Aardvark card, the meters should respond on your armed track.

If you're getting signal, great! Hit Record, located in the upper right, and lay down a track!

If you want to overdub, disarm your first track, and repeat the steps above for another track.

And that's how to get started recording in Cakewalk!

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS THAT MAY COME UP
WHEN YOU FIRST INSTALL THE DIRECT PRO AND CAKEWALK

Q: I'm trying to play Cakewalk Demos through my Direct Pro, why can't I hear them?
A: The majority of Cakewalk's demo songs are MIDI songs with no audio data. In order to hear the MIDI tracks you must trigger an external MIDI device with the Direct Pro MIDI output, or a consumer soundcard with wavetable sounds, such as SoundBlaster.

Q: Cakewalk says my Aardvark card does not accept 24 bit, how come?
A: If you follow the configuration steps earlier in this guide, specifically those located in the OPTIONS | AUDIO | ADVANCED(tab) menu, you will be able to record 24 bit audio.

Q: How do I set up my patchbay to work with Cakewalk?
A: Connect Monitor L/R to all three outputs on the right

Q: When I play back a track I recorded, I only hear it on one side of the mix, how come?
A: If you are recording just one input, such as input 1, you must select either the (Left) or (right) side of a stereo pair as your SOURCE in Cakewalk.. For example, if you want to record input 1 only, choose "(Left)1,2 Direct Pro 24/96" as your SOURCE. Choosing this as your SOURCE will NOT cause the track to be heard only on the left side. Rather, it records a mono track that is distributed to both speakers at the same time. The (Stereo) source in Cakewalk is used for recording two inputs at the same time, such as inputs 1 and 2 or inputs 3 and 4.

Q: My previously recorded tracks are bleeding into my newly recorded tracks, what's up with that?
A: If you choose "5,6 Direct Pro" as your source, your audio will bleed through. This is because inputs 5,6 do not correspond to physical inputs on the Direct Pro. Rather, they serve as a virtual input pair that records the sum of all inputs and playback channels.

Q: Why is there a mixer for the Direct Pro, and one for Cakewalk, isn't that kind of redundant?
A: The Direct Pro mixer is used to set levels and effects for the Direct Pro audio. The Cakewalk mixer allows you to control levels and effects on tracks that have already been recorded.

Q: I'm having trouble writing a decent song, what should I do?
A: Keep trying, at least your soundcard isn't holding you back.