recording more than one track at a time
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Posted on Feb 10, 2003 09:00 am
pat
Member Since: Feb 10, 2003
hey,
i need to record more than one track at a time on my p.c. i have an audigy platinum ex soundcard and that should let me record more than one track at a time, but unfortunatly the pc seems to have a default to not let me record using more than one input at any one time.
basically the icon down at the right hand side of the toolbar (the little speaker icon) when i click on it to adjust the recording/playback properties, it only allows me to select one input to record on at any one time. is there anyway to override this so that i can record on two tracks at any one time?
cheers
pat.
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Feb 10, 2003 09:05 am Well, let me ask you this, since I have no knowledge of the SoundDisaster cards anymore. They are great cards for gaming (or so I have heard, I am not a gamer) but do nothing for a home studio owner that needs multiple tracks... Is the one input you are using a stereo input?
If it is, you could make two inputs out of it by panning two sources hard right and hard left, thereby making them record on seperate sides of he stereo track.
Beyond two, it totally depends on what options your card gives you, what application you are recording in and what type of driver for the card you are using.
patMember
Since: Feb 10, 2003
Feb 10, 2003 09:08 am em,
right, see im not too good on knowing anything much about hardware or drivers or anything, its supposed to be good for recording, in fact i was led to believe that it is the best thing to use for recording. i don't really need more than two inputs anyhoo.
i can use two different inputs, and i can record on either one, i just can't select them both at the one time.
i don't know how i'd do that with the stereo thingy to be honest.
please forgive my vast ignorance im a total novice.
Feb 10, 2003 09:12 am OK, well, that's fair, but part of the trick to getting your home studio working is learning these things. It's fine not to know them, but you have to find out and learn them or it's gonna be awful hard to help...
First, what program are you recording in? That should determine which driver option you use.
If the program allows enable two different tracks for recording, if the two tracks do not allow you to choose two different inputs, just select both tracks to use a stereo input (which should be plainly visible in the input selection menu). Then pan one of the sound sources hard left and the other hard right. Then both tracks will reocrd a stereo track, but there should only be sound one the side it si panned to, then convert both to mono tracks and there ya go, two tracks.
patMember
Since: Feb 10, 2003
Feb 10, 2003 09:21 am ah yes, but you never learn things unless you ask do you? ;-)
Im recording in either cakewalk or cubasis both of which i think allow two different tracks for recording,
"if the two tracks do not allow you to choose two different inputs, just select both tracks to use a stereo input (which should be plainly visible in the input selection menu)"
Im afraid this is where i get a bit lost, im not quite sure how to do this. do you mean get two different mics, get a convertor for them, and plug them into the stereo input and then do what you said above?
again please excuse my ignorance.
Feb 10, 2003 09:38 am Cubasis is a very limited program, which I have never used so I can't speak for that. Cakewalk I have used and yes you can record two different tracks (or 10 if you have the inputs)
You need to go into the audio devices manager and make sure all you input are enabled and ready for use first (I forget where that panel is, but it IS in there). Then in Cakewalk, each track has in it's properties a place to select the source of the sound, that is whewre you would select the input to use.
patMember
Since: Feb 10, 2003
Feb 10, 2003 09:44 am "You need to go into the audio devices manager and make sure all you input are enabled and ready for use first (I forget where that panel is, but it IS in there). Then in Cakewalk, each track has in it's properties a place to select the source of the sound, that is whewre you would select the input to use."
i think that might be where the problem lies orignally (is it?)
there is this window i can open up by double clicking on one of the icons on the taskbar at the bottom of windows (beside the clock) and that allows me to select which inputs to record on but it only lets me use one.
you don't know how to change that do you?
thanks for all your help by the way i really appreciate it.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Feb 10, 2003 09:55 am cubasis does let you record and mix in stere, i know that much...but ive never used that function in it either...bear with me and ill have a look!
Feb 10, 2003 12:19 pm It's not a task bar option, it's in the menu bar somewhere, under "tools" or something like that...I haven't used Cakewalk much in a long time, so it may escape me, but this dialog will list all your possible input and outputs and you have to make sure all the ones you want to use are enabled.
MurphyAn outburst for perfectionMember
Since: Dec 11, 2002
Feb 10, 2003 05:08 pm I think the SoundBlaster has a one input option only.
I have 2 soundcards in my machine, SB Live platinum and a delta44.
The delta44 has (4) inputs and all of them show in my software, giving me an option to use any of them.
My Soundblaster has 2 inputs but records them both on the same channel,
I can use them with hard panning, as it is on a stereo Jack, so yours probably will be too.
Feb 10, 2003 08:48 pm i have both a SB Live Platinum and a Delta 44 as well. The SB is for games and stuff. The Delta is for serious audio.
MurphyAn outburst for perfectionMember
Since: Dec 11, 2002
Feb 11, 2003 08:52 am I still use the SB for reference,
Just Mic and acoustic though, first take stuff only. I Save the delta for when I'm ready to track proper.
patMember
Since: Feb 10, 2003
Feb 11, 2003 08:59 am so i wasted all that money on a audigy thingy when it was useless for home recording then?
Feb 11, 2003 09:06 am unfortunately, ya, but, if it helps at all it is a very common mistake made by people just building their first home studio, they read the hype and marketing propaganda spewed by SB and then see it's the best card at Best Buy, Circuit City, COmp-USA or whatever and buy it, not thinking to look at their local music gear store for better "recording" sound cards that seel for as much, and sometimes less than SB's "best" card.
Bottom line is this, it can do the job, but it has very vivid limits, and primarily SB's and SB clones are made for gaming and watching DVD's. NOT for an even semi-serious home studio.
patMember
Since: Feb 10, 2003
Feb 11, 2003 09:10 am would it cause any problems to buy and install a second soundcard? for recording purposes? and if so what ones would be recommended?
Feb 11, 2003 09:11 am Look into the thread stuck at the top that has much of the commonly recommended sound cards. The one you want depends on how you record, how many tracks/instruments at once primarily. People constantly ask which card is best, and it wholey depends on how you record. I personally am a big fan of M-Audio, and they have a size and configuration for just about everyone's needs.
patMember
Since: Feb 10, 2003
Feb 11, 2003 09:14 am thanks a million,
and cheers to everyone for the very helpful replies.
8)
Feb 11, 2003 09:15 am glad we could help, and good luck, sorry to hear you got sucked into the SoundDisaster blackhole.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Feb 11, 2003 11:54 am For those of you who use a dual sound card config on your pc, how do you toggle between the two? And I'm guessing you just stick each one in a PCI slot, right?
Feb 11, 2003 12:00 pm Most programs allow to to define the source input and the playback output of each track in you song, you just pick different ones as you need to. Your app will allow you to choose from every in and out that it knows is on your PC. Some will even display voice modem inputs...not that you wanna use them.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Feb 11, 2003 12:12 pm ohhhhhhhhhh... I get it...
MurphyAn outburst for perfectionMember
Since: Dec 11, 2002
Feb 11, 2003 04:32 pm voice modem inputs, maybe if you want that Telephone vocal sound!!
I've also got "Wave Mapper" what's that?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 12, 2003 10:06 pm I have an SB installed along side my Delta and don't have any problem's with either card.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Feb 14, 2003 02:41 am yeah I'm running the facotry card and the delta. Just install them both in the PCI slots, then choose which card you want to use as the main sound device in the control panel. Also most software will allow you to chose it's ins and outs, and if not it will be routed back to the main sound device that you have selected earlier
