Multi track recording on a PC

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Member Since: Jul 18, 2003

Hi all,

Is it possible to record multiple sources/tracks from a mixer using a PC at one time? What software would that be? How will I connect it to the PC since my sound card can only accept 1 stereo input or is there another method to do that?

Thanks.

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 18, 2003 09:01 am

Yes, you have to buy a sound card that has more inputs. Look in our "Gear Bag" section for lots of them, most of us here have cards that accept anywhere from 2 to 10 input, and many of those cards you can run together, so if you have 3 cards that each have 8 input (and you PC is powerful enough) you will have a 24 input PC.

For software there is IntuitiveMX, Vegas, Cakewalk, Cubase, Logic, Magix, Acid and MANY others.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Jul 18, 2003 06:03 pm

wipe out, one trick I learned hanging around here, is that you can record two channels at once on a typical soundcard by simply panning one
to the left and one to the right frmo the mixer and sending teh "stereo" signal to the comuter, recording it as stereo, then manually separating those two tracks in software.

Member
Since: Jul 18, 2003


Jul 18, 2003 10:38 pm

Thanks for those info. It looks like that multiple input soundcards are of special types not like the regular stereo or 5.1 cards and they are not readily available in local computer stores here. Gives me also an idea to record 1 track at a time using my regular soundblaster soundcard and putting them all up together in software.


SM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic's
Contributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002


Jul 19, 2003 04:08 am

wipeout, you're not going to find too many high end sound cards in your local computer store , you may look to find them in you local music store , or on line at sites like musiciansfriend.

Member
Since: Aug 01, 2003


Aug 01, 2003 08:03 am

If I were you, I'd just buy more sound cards. Sound Blaster cards are not that expensive (much cheaper than a pro card with 2984719238713 inputs) and install them into your computer. You can have more than one card, it's really not difficult. That's what I do anyway...I have a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, Sound Blaster Live, and I use the on-board audio...and this is good enough for recording drums as long as you have a mixer which you said you did. I use the santa cruz' two inputs. One as a mic input, the other as a line and I plug a mixer into the line input, then use the mic inputs on the sound blaster and onboard audio. Hope this helps.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Aug 01, 2003 08:26 am

whatever works for ya. i started out with just an SB AWE64 for the longest time. Now I'm very happy with both a medium-high end 4 channel recording card and a cheap soundblaster. One's better at recording, one's better at playing videogames :O)

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 01, 2003 08:30 am

hehehe, I still HAVE my old SB AWE64 Gold. Back in the day it was the bomb...I still to find a use for that card, but PC's don't even have ISA slots any more...

:: sigh ::

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Aug 01, 2003 08:38 am

the AWE64 was my introduction to goofy MIDI and soundfont sounds, but surprisingly they sounded pretty good compared to alot of stuff coming out at the time. I still remember painstakingly playing the little mousable keyboard while my karaoke box (dual cassette recorder w/ mic pres) was connected to the soundcard's outputs. i should find those tapes, remaster to digital and put them up online somewhere. Bouncing cassette tapes on that karaoke machine is what got me into all this audio recording stuff !! :OD

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Aug 01, 2003 04:38 pm

You can get a decent 4 in 4 out card for around 250, which would be better than multiple sound disaster cards, although I'd keep one in just for midi and consumer use.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 02, 2003 03:14 am

I used to bounce tapes on a karaoke machine too... back in the day when I was like 9... an old casio keyboard for bass and drums, electric guitar w/ no effects plugged right into the karaoke machine, vocals... really bad songs... all I can remember is a chorus that went something like "fresh fish fat fish get your fish."

I'm glad I have no idea where any of those tapes are.

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