Multitrack recording solutions--your recommendations?

Posted on

Member Since: Nov 06, 2007

At a distant festival each year I get to be a Live Sound Tech...assistant. I wannabe an incredible Sound Tech like my mentor, but with two days experience per year, it ain't gonna happen. I could get experience locally if I had a certain level of skills already, but I don't have any way to get those skills. Or do I?

Here's my idea: I purchase a recording device that can simultaneously record 8 (or more) tracks. I go to a local concert and the kind sound tech lets me tap into the direct outs or inserts from 8 channels and I record the raw input. Then I go home and feed the 8 channels into my mixer as if they were coming through the snake. I practice, using different equipment, effects, speaker placement, and perhaps constrain the input signals for more challenge. Once in a while I go get a fresh set of tracks to mix. I practice more, and eventually I get the skills and confidence I seek.

Yes, I'm a Live Sound grasshopper and this is a Recording forum, but we both have a stake in the overlap. Please offer your advice on quality multitrack recording tools. I want to capture multiple raw inputs and feed them, unmixed, into my system, so I don't think I want a workstation with mixing capabilities and built-in modules duplicating the discrete components I already have. Or is that still my best choice?

[ Back to Top ]


The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Nov 07, 2007 02:39 pm

Do you have a laptop or mildly portable desktop computer?

Member
Since: Nov 06, 2007


Nov 07, 2007 03:57 pm

Essentially no. I have an old ThinkPad that wouldn't have the oomph. My 2.6GHz desktop isn't portable enough, has the standard 2-channel soundcard and an old CakeWalk 8.

But I'm open to all suggestions, including a new laptop. I'd need to get the 8 inputs in. Since I'd get my inputs from direct outs or channel inserts, I shouldn't need mic preamps in the device that passes the signals into the laptop, just line inputs, right?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Nov 07, 2007 04:27 pm

I like your idea, though I don't know how valid it'll be.

I'd imagine something like the fostex vf160 would work, recording 6 or 8 inputs, line level. You could add more with a lightpipe preamp. i think behringer has one, the ada8000. I'd check to see the fostex outputs 8 individual signals.

I guess if you change some of the variables, then it could give you some experience changing things on your desk. Sounds like a do-able practice, even if it is unorthodox.

You could have some friends come over and change your knobs when you're on break, or have a drunk customer keep asking you if the band can play freebird. Stuff like that. =)

You could have friends set up your environment, like they were the band, and then start demanding changes, and monitor issues, and such. They could make changes, and they you could come in cold and try to make a good mix in, like, 10 minutes or so.

Plus, if you get a device like the fostex, you may start getting work for recording gigs, and mixing it for them. Start paying off your hardware purchases. Maybe find a new line of work for yourself too =).



Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Nov 07, 2007 04:47 pm

I have a lot of history with Zoom and they make some nice new devices like you describe. The HD16 is the new one. The MRS1608 is another one.

Zoom has an odd reputation, very much loved by those who have owned one, but crapped on by people who have never owned one :)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 07, 2007 08:27 pm

Charlie, are you looking to get into live sound production or the engineering/mixing end of things?

There are a couple of routes one can take as well.

Member
Since: Nov 13, 2007


Nov 14, 2007 01:44 pm

A pc is a must and if you need more than 8 channels then I would go with the Mackie 1200f. If 8 is enough then the 800r. The preamps are the Onyx series from Mackie and they are very very good. Go a google search on reviews on them. I use a Mackie 1640 which gives me 16 channels (Onyx). But its a mixer also. It may be an option that would open up other avenues for you. Like getting into sound reinforcement for hire and offering recording at the same time. The 1640 Mackie allows you to be both.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Nov 14, 2007 02:50 pm

Bush, why is a PC a must ??? I know a number of people doing excellent work with the standalone Tascam, Fostex, Zoom and other 8, 16, 24 track systems ??

Member
Since: Nov 13, 2007


Nov 14, 2007 04:20 pm

Sorry I stand corrected. I forget about these systems all the time. But they do leave little room for upgrades. When I was researching and buying equipment, I wanted something that was upgradable, offered tons of plugin effects. Recording to a pc and mixing out of the box offers all that. Plus the standalone systems are very proprietary. The pricey Tascam DM3200 32-Channel 16-Bus Digital Mixer has four effects. I have 100's using a pc as my platform. And the tiny screens are funny. What good are they :) Plus I have under 1700 in a system that will do a hell of alot more that these standalones. I can do sound reinforcement for a live band. Record the show, through 16 premium preamps. And provide stage monitoring. In the studio I can record, mix, and provide individual headphone monitoring for up to 6 musicians. Thats alot of features. I doubt a stand alone in the 1700 range can do all that.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Nov 14, 2007 04:29 pm

Yeah that's pretty much the total rundown of reasons why I prefer to record and mix on a computer. The standalone units have one big advantage and that's portability. And they do tend to be more stable than your average PC as far as crashes and unexpected behavior.

But PCs are so flexible, upgradable, expandable, and with internet access you have virtually unlimited access to free effects.

Maybe a laptop would be a good compromise here though. The flexibility and access to cool expandable features of a PC yet the portability of a standalone unit.

Except laptops are generally pretty expensive, especially when you add the cost of a FireWire, USB or PCMCIA interface with 8 channels.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Nov 14, 2007 04:34 pm

I'm not against PCs are all but there are a lot of people who prefer the stand alone units, there are whole web communities dedicated to them. Stand alone units seem to offer some a more focused approach + most still allow you to transfer to and from a PC if you prefer that way.

In general PC's are more unreliable and prone to weirdness than stand alone's.

For the record I choose a PC, partly because it seem I prefer the more visual nature of the mixing, but others see things differently.

Member
Since: Nov 13, 2007


Nov 14, 2007 06:14 pm

I do agree there. If you have a pc that not very stable you can run into problems :) My studio pc I ran through alot of tests. I had a lock up once so far and luckily my recording software managed to save my edit. So make sure you have a stable pc.

Related Forum Topics:



If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.