# Studio Routing & Monitoring Setup ## Signal Chain ### MIDI Path ``` AstroLab 61 ──USB──┐ Sub 37 ────────USB──┼── Anker A8307 hub ── mioXM ── Mac Studio ┘ ``` ### Audio Path ``` AstroLab 61 ──analog L/R──┐ Sub 37 ────────analog──────┤ Eurorack ──────analog──────┤ V-Drums ───────analog──────┼── Scarlett 18i20 ── Mac Studio Pod Go (Guitar)──analog────┘ ``` ### Controller ``` KeyLab 61 Mk3 ── USB-C ── Mac Studio (direct) ``` ## Input Assignment (Focusrite 18i20) | Input | Source | Type | |---|---|---| | 1 | Microphone | Mono | | 2 | Microphone (spare) | Mono | | 3–4 | Arturia Astrolab 61 (L/R) | Stereo pair | | 5 | Moog Sub 37 | Mono | | 6 | Eurorack | Mono | | 7 | V-Drums TD-02KV | Mono | | 8 | Line6 Pod Go (Guitar) | Mono | | 9–18 | *Free* — Matriarch (when repaired), extra mics, etc. | — | ## Role Separation | Device | Role | |--------|------| | AstroLab 61 | Hardware instrument (audio + MIDI via mioXM) | | Sub 37 | Hardware instrument (audio + MIDI via mioXM) | | KeyLab 61 Mk3 | Ableton controller / software instrument keyboard | **Keep AstroLab's USB connected** — the MIDI path through Anker → mioXM gives Ableton bidirectional MIDI (notes, sequencing, clock) without a long direct USB run. ## Focusrite Control — Monitor Mix Configuration ### Setup Steps 1. Open **Focusrite Control** → Monitor Mix (Outputs 1–2 = Adam monitors) 2. **Stereo-link only inputs 3+4** (Astrolab). Everything else stays mono. 3. Bring up each channel: | Channel | Level | Pan | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | DAW 1–2 | 0 dB | Stereo | Ableton playback, software instruments, processed sources | | Input 3–4 (Astrolab) | 0 dB | L/R | Only stereo hardware source | | Input 5 (Sub 37) | 0 dB | Centre | Mono synth | | Input 6 (Eurorack) | –6 dB | Centre | Can be hot — adjust per patch | | Input 7 (V-Drums) | 0 dB | Centre | Mono sum | | Input 8 (Pod Go) | –3 dB | Centre | Already processed, can be loud | | Input 1 (Mic) | –6 dB | Centre | Only when needed | 4. **Headphone output** (Outputs 3–4): mirror the monitor mix unless Avi needs a separate blend for tracking. ### Save the preset once it sounds right. ## Monitoring Strategy (Hybrid) ### Direct monitoring via Focusrite Control (zero latency) - AstroLab - Sub 37 - Eurorack - V-Drums - Microphone (when appropriate) ### Ableton monitoring (when you need DAW processing) - Guitar through amp sims / effects (if not using Pod Go) - Software instruments played via KeyLab - Recorded tracks / playback ### The Rule - Hardware you're hearing direct → Ableton track Monitor = **OFF**, Arm = ON - Sources needing DAW FX → Ableton track Monitor = **IN** (don't include dry signal in Focusrite direct mix) ## Example: AstroLab Recording Setup **Focusrite Control:** Inputs 3–4 up in monitor mix → hear AstroLab immediately. **Ableton:** - Audio From: Ext. In 3/4 - Monitor: OFF - Arm: ON This avoids doubling (direct signal + delayed DAW return). ## Example: Sub 37 Recording Setup **Focusrite Control:** Input 5 up in monitor mix → hear Sub 37 immediately. **Ableton:** - Audio From: Ext. In 5 - Monitor: OFF - Arm: ON ## Troubleshooting | Problem | Fix | |---|---| | Hearing double (echo/flam) | Monitor is ON in Ableton AND in Focusrite Control — turn one off | | Can't hear hardware synth | Check it's in the Focusrite Control mix AND input gain is up | | Can't hear Ableton playback | Make sure DAW 1–2 is up in the monitor mix | | Latency on synths | You're monitoring through Ableton (Monitor = IN) — switch to direct monitoring (Monitor = OFF) and use Focusrite Control | ## Next Steps - [ ] Patch cables per the input assignment table above - [ ] Configure Focusrite Control monitor mix per the levels above - [ ] Set Ableton MIDI preferences per device (Track / Sync / Remote) - [ ] Verify no MIDI loops with multiple devices connected - [ ] Test each source: play → hear direct → arm → record → play back