AAAHHhhh!!! ("Multitrack" recording, ASIO, ADAT -or- SPDIF, etc.)
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Posted on May 02, 2007 03:51 pm
ck6string
Member Since: May 02, 2007
Sorry if this is a duplicate post in some way or another, but I can't seem to find the answer to my question anywhere. So here goes:
My goal is to purchase a decent quality interface for my PC (probably firewire). I'd like to record a few inputs at once (up to 3 or 4), but eventually I may want have enough inputs to record quality drum tracks and maybe live performances (8 or more?).
SO... I thought a good route to go might be... get a decent quality interface with only a few inputs, and ***HOPEFULLY*** I can expand later. And by "expand" I mean just throw a mixer into the equation-- like chain the bastard onto my interface... HERE'S WHERE IT ALL GETS FISHY FOR ME...
I want EVERY input to be recorded on a SEPARATE track! I'm assuming I can AT LEAST do this with the interface alone... somehow mapping each input to a specific track in my software (Audition 1.0, or some other program that this is possible in). Is this where ASIO come's into play??
My further turmoil results from the notion that if I plug a zillion instruments/mics into the mixer (which i am pretending to have) and then go into my interface... Won't that just show up as ONE TRACK?! Or does SPDIF/ADAT alow me to move the tracks from the mixer to the interface... and again to the software retaining each track for individual recording???
Thank you in advance for helping to untangle my messy brain...
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 02, 2007 04:20 pm Hey there ck6string, welcome to HRC.
What you're looking for is easily attainable, and is done quite often by most folks here.
A firewire interface, like the presonus firepod, will give you 8 inputs from microphones, or line level, and keep them separate in your multitracking software. You just need to tell the software how each new track is going to be getting it's signal from (input1, input2, spdif1, midi1, etc).
Other firewire devices are available, and pretty much all will give you individual inputs, and keep them separate for your software to work with individually.
Mixers can be useful if you need mic preamps (you will if you're using microphones). For instance, in my case, I'm using a yamaha mg16/4 mixer for it's preamps, then sending 8 individual channels over to my audio interface (esp1010) on their own cables. Inside the software, I can have all 8 inputs recording signal to their own tracks.
Then mix later, overdub again to add new tracks, etc.
With a mixer, you can mix individual signals down to a stereo pair, like you're mentioning later in your post, but most don't do that, as all the tracks would be in the same stereo signal. Not what you want, if you're going to mix after tracking.
You will always need inputs on your interface to match how many tracks you want in input. Like if you have 12 channels to bring into your PC, then you'll need an interface that can handle 12 inputs at once.
ADAT lets you bring 8 channels of audio into your interface on 1 optical cable. So a preamp with ADAT out, can send 8 channels to your audio interface. Some of the firewire devices have ADAT in, like the motu stuff, the accept adat inputs, to add channels on your rig.
SPDIF is a type of connection, digital connection, that carries 2 signals at once incoming, and 2 outgoing. This is good if you're coming from a digital device, like a digital processor, or a drum machine, and want to go right into the PC without converting to analog, and back to digital.
Less conversions the better, I say.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
May 02, 2007 04:20 pm The amount of INPUTS you have on your soundcard will detirmine the amount of separtate tracks you can have in Audition.
If your mixer only has a pair of outputs then all instruments that are plugged into it will appear as 1 stereo track in AA. You can use inserts to gain some extra outputs by inserting the jack until the first click only.
Bottom line... number of inputs on your soundcard = number of individual tracks.
May 02, 2007 10:08 pm Man you guys are quick! I really appreciate the detailed explanation... I figured it was common sense for anyone but a newbie, but sometimes that "common sense" info is left out among all the specific information out there.
Does anyone know of an interface with pretty good preamps (relatively speaking), since I won't be able to afford separate preamps or a mixer/etc for a while? It's hard to determine this from the specs on most interfaces... I suppose they expect one would buy them separately for any serious quality recording. I guess the A/D D/A converter is also probably the most important piece... So how do these devices measure up? Any of them known for good preamps and-or A/D D/A converters?
Alesis iO|14 or iO|26
Presonus Firebox
M-Audio 1814
Eiderol FA101
E-MU 1616M PCI
And one more Q... how do interfaces like the Firepod, etc handle that ADAT 'in'? Do the 8 channels show up when assigning channels to the tracks in my software?
Sorry, normally I would just figure this stuff out on my own by fiddling, but considering the equipment costs along the way I'm trying to get as much info as i can beforehand.
Thanks again you guys, hopefully sooner or later I'll have something to contribute ;-)
May 02, 2007 10:13 pm Quote:
but sometimes that "common sense" info is left out among all the specific information out there
not to mention that "common sense" is one of the most uncommon things in this world.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 03, 2007 09:34 am I heard somewhere (or actually, read somewhere) that converters on consumer / prosumer gear is probably from the same supplier, so the actual chip may be the same.
I think it was on this site, so maybe the info is still floating around in the archives.
Anyhoo, I've heard great things about the EMU stuff (the 'M' ones, 1820M, 1616M, etc), as far as the converters are concerned. I'd put those on top, just by my meager i-net readings.
I'd think also, that the presonus may be the best preamps of the bunch, seeing as how presonus makes some pretty hi-end stuff.
The Maudio, edirol, and alesis are consumer level recording equip, and though good sounding, they may not totally stack on par with the presonus. Know though, that these are ONLY my opinions, based on i-net readings. Not hard facts.
I think the software will offer the 8 ADAT inputs just like other analog inputs. I've not used them, so I'm guessing.
Some of those devices you listed don't have preamps, so you'd need to keep that in mind. 1 preamp for every 1 microphone.
May 03, 2007 09:52 am There are loads of devices that we could recommend until the end of time...the key is your budget...
How about a ProTools HD system...it'll cost you about as much as a new car, then there is also the M-Audio Delta 1010, only a few hundred dollars...and there are things at all ranges in between.
Much of the choice will depend on the budget you have.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 03, 2007 03:16 pm Been messing around with my buddies Motu 8Pre, I have one thing to say, I want it but can't afford it right now :( Although a tad on the expensive side Motu makes nice equipment.
I want one with the PCIe DSP card.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 03, 2007 03:23 pm I want one too. If I could sell my ESP1010 for twice what I paid for it, I'd get one =).
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 03, 2007 04:00 pm Haha, your in my same boat. Although I want it in addition to my layla setup so I can have 16 channels.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 03, 2007 04:30 pm that's one thing I didn't think about with the ESP1010, having ADAT or wordclock. I can't easily add another device, except for another ESI card, I guess.
Having 2 ESP1010 would work out pretty well, I guess.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 03, 2007 07:57 pm pjk, the ESP 1010 does have an optical output on it. I believe it is only 2 channels though, but not sure as I haven't tried it.
meltdown5Faze 2 StudiosMember
Since: Aug 15, 2005
May 03, 2007 09:03 pm if you choose to go with fire wire, i do NOT recommend the Presonus Firepod. It started out all well, and then channels started dying on it. I do on the other hand Recommend the Moto 8pre. its a little more then the Firepod, but its built as hard as a rock, the drivers for it are very reliable, and the preamps sound better then the ones on the firepod.
my 2 cents
-melty
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 05, 2007 06:38 am oh yeah, optical out. hehe, thanks. 2 channels though, hmm, oh well. I didn't get it for the ADAT, so I can't really be disappointed =).
