How to Set Up the Arturia MiniFuse 1 for Vocals

The Arturia MiniFuse 1 is a small audio interface with one input. Enough to record your vocals at home. Here's how to set it up properly, from the driver to the gain.

1. Connect it to your computer

Connect the MiniFuse 1 to your computer with the USB-C cable. It gets its power over USB, so you don't need an adapter. On a Mac it works through Core Audio. On Windows, install Arturia's MiniFuse Control Center. It includes the MiniFuse ASIO driver. Then choose that driver in your DAW.

2. Mic in the combo input

The MiniFuse 1 has one combo input. It takes an XLR cable from your mic, but also a jack cable from something like a guitar. Your mic goes in with an XLR cable.

3. 48V on or off?

The 48V button turns on phantom power. Whether you need it depends on your mic:

  • Condenser mic, like a Rode NT1 or Audio-Technica AT2020: 48V on.
  • Dynamic mic, like a Shure SM58 or SM7B: not needed.

Using an SM7B? It needs a lot of gain. According to Arturia, the MiniFuse 1 gives 56 dB of gain, and Shure mentions around 60 dB for the SM7B. Read Shure SM7B too quiet? for what to do.

4. Leave INST off

The INST button is for a guitar or bass you plug in directly. Recording your voice with a mic? Leave INST off.

5. Set your gain with the light in the knob

There's a light in the gain knob. According to Arturia, it turns blue when a signal comes in, and red when your input overloads.

Rap or sing your loudest part and slowly turn up the gain. If the light turns red, turn it back down. In the manual, Arturia recommends a level between -36 dB and -6 dB. You can't fix a clipped recording afterwards. Also read distorted recording? How to prevent clipping.

6. Direct Monitor: hear yourself without delay

With the Direct Monitor button you hear your mic straight through the interface, without the signal going through your computer first. So no delay, but no effects either. If you turn Direct Monitor on, turn off monitoring on your track in your DAW. Otherwise you'll hear yourself twice.

Want to hear your effects while recording, like reverb or autotune? Then turn Direct Monitor off, listen through your DAW and set your buffer as low as your computer can handle. Also read how to fix latency when recording vocals.

7. Plug in your headphones

The headphone output has its own volume knob. Use closed-back headphones when you record, so the beat doesn't leak from your headphones into your mic. Read headphones for recording: open or closed-back.

8. Loopback: only for streaming

The MiniFuse 1 has loopback. It lets you record everything that plays on your computer, without extra software. Handy if you want to stream live with your beat. For regular recording in your DAW, you don't need it.

9. Choose the input in your DAW

Create a mono audio track in your DAW and choose input 1, the mic input. Step-by-step guides:

Still choosing an interface? Read how to set up the Scarlett Solo, how to set up the Audient EVO 4 and how to set up the MOTU M2. Need a beat? Browse all beats.

FAQ

Do I need a driver for the MiniFuse 1?

On Windows, yes. Install MiniFuse Control Center, which includes the ASIO driver. On a Mac it works through Core Audio.

Why does the light in the gain knob turn red?

Your input is overloading. Turn the gain down until the light no longer turns red on your loudest parts.

Why do I hear myself twice?

Direct Monitor is probably on and you're also listening through your DAW. Turn one of them off.

Source: Arturia's manual and product information for the MiniFuse 1, and Shure on the SM7B.

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