Which audio interface to pick to connect 2 Volcas to Ableton

Edward · Post by **Edward** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:03 pm

Ive got 2 Volcas and I'd like to record into Ableton. I'm new to this so any advice would help. Which audio interface would you recommend to sync the Volcas with Ableton?

Reyes · Post by **Reyes** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:47 pm

I'm interested in this, too, based on the fact it's a line-in affair.

Also, with the right interface, presumably it would be possible to sync a keys and beats, but still line-out separately for recording separate tracks? If so - I think I might just order that beats!

Randy|Kaoss · Post by **Randy|Kaoss** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:17 pm

You can sync a Keys and Beats independently using the Sync I/O sockets. In order to sync either of them to Ableton (or any other DAW) you'll need a USB to MIDI interface, such as the EMU X-MIDI 2x2.

I have the Volca Bass and an Arturia Microbrute - I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface, which has 2 line ins, so I can record them in Ableton Live. Microbrute is synced over USB, the Volca Bass via the EMU 2x2.

if you're thinking of adding more hardware synths in the future then you will probably want an audio interface with more inputs than the Scarlett 2i2.

Kcearl · Post by **Kcearl** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 3:45 pm

My scarlet 18i6 has 18 tracks running through spdif and adat...easily expands as your synth collection does, and pretty solid mixcontrol software

wiras · Post by **wiras** » Wed Oct 07, 2015 8:41 pm

Hello, I have just bought a Volca Beats and a Roland UM-ONE mk2. I already have a Scarlett 2i2 and I want to connect the devices to Ableton.

I follow this guide https://ask.audio/articles/tracking-kor ... leton-live

But I cant get any sound from the Korg to the DAW or my speakers. None of the lights on the Roland um-one is activated execpt USB. Should I connect the MIDI Out or In, to the MIDI-IN on the Korg?

Do I plug in the headphonejack from the Korg to the headphonejack on the Scarlett 2i2 or one of the two line-ins, what am I doing wrong?

Please help.

smutek · Post by **smutek** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 3:24 am

Midi out from the Roland needs to go to Midi in on the Volca.

Audio out (headphone jack) from the beats needs to go to audio in (one of the line in's) on your Scarlett. Use a cable like this one from Amazon, or whatever you already have.

In Ableton, in preferences/audio, make sure the Scarlett is selected as the audio input device.

Also, in Ableton in preferences/midi sync, make sure your Roland is turned on as an output device - I ticked the track, sync and remote boxes.

Your Volca can receive midi on any one of 16 channels. Ableton needs to send midi to the channel the Volca is set to receive midi on. By default the Beats receives midi on channel 10 - verify this by powering the Volca on while holding the memory key.

You should see Ch. 10 in the display, and the 10th key should be lit up (the crash symbol key)

Change to whatever channel you want, or just leave it on 10. I left mine on 10. When you're finished press the play button and the Volca will start up.

Back in Ableton, drag an external instrument into a midi channel. In the midi 2 dropdown of the external instrument, choose channel 10 (or whatever midi channel you set your beats up to use).

In the audio from section, choose whatever channel your scarlet is coming in on.

That's it, it's really that simple. If all is well in the world all should work and when you press play on Ableton the beats should start playing.

* edit - also, this video might help.