Cheapest PC multitrack setup using USB
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Posted on Jun 13, 2009 05:26 am
JonDeath
DEATH
Member Since: Jun 13, 2009
Not sure if anyone here is aware of this but, this is about as cheap as it gets if you want to do multitrack recording on PC with a blue collar budget yet industry grade results..granted you do a good job mastering the finished product.
[url]cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-to-3...294%3A200[/url]
Basically any multitrack program will recognize those and let you assign each one any way you like. Say you buy 4, that's either 4 stereo tracks or 8 mono tracks OR, whatever scenario you decide.
Protools, Audigy, Cool Edit Pro- I used this trick recently with Cool Edit Pro. As long as you buy the better USB sound cards with the CM119 chipset or better, you will get 16 bit 48 khz sampling which is of course CD quality and suitable for both amateur and professional grade recording.
Just got to have a fairly good quality PC or laptop of course to keep up with the streams. I had an ADAT that I attempted to lightpipe into my soundcard for 8 track recordings but to no prevail. So far I've never needed more than 2 tracks at a time and if ever that's the case, I know for fact this works.
Anyone want to buy an 8 channel ADAT mixer with ADAT send/return??
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BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 13, 2009 10:32 am Wow, those are some pretty big claims. Professional grade recording from a $4 soundcard?? That works with Protools?? I can see this being a cheap way to multitrack (if it actually works) but I highly doubt it will be professional grade. Do you have any recording samples? Do you work for them?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 13, 2009 06:28 pm It s the count down to the SPAM banner coming up here shortly.
I really doubt its that good. If your familiar with the chip's they show using in them you as well would doubt the claims.
I can buy the higher end chip in lots of 100 for about $0.04 each from China. The cheaper CM119 chip in the one he links to is even cheaper.
So now consider the AD/DA and its quality.
Jun 13, 2009 11:12 pm What the heck? Who is this guy? He's making the same claims on another thread. Buy six of 'em and run 'em through a USB hub and you have 12-channel simultaneous recording. Professional grade.
Yeah, right. And I have some ocean front property in Arizona I'd like you to take a look at.
Jun 14, 2009 02:06 am There's no need to be rude or childish.
Yes, it absolutely works and no, this is not spam.
Those are CM119 chipsets, they deliver 16 bit 48 khz sampling.
In the past, I had attempted to load up a PC with PCI sound cards but due to the constraints of windows it did not work.
Then one day, I bought a USB capture card that uses the CM119 chipset for audio. When I loaded up Cool Edit Pro and Adobe Audition, unlike my ADAT fiber optic mixer linked into my sound cards lightpipe input, it recognized BOTH my sound card AND the USB capture allowing me to assign each to a track giving me 4 tracks of simultaneous recording.
From there I experimented with these cheap USB sound cards/capture cards and again, Audition and CEP BOTH recognized the addition of yet another stereo input giving me SIX channels including that of my sound card.
...you guys sound like the dimwits from Guitar Center or Musicians Friend horrified by the low cost and simplicity of this set up meaning instead of selling someone a piece of gear costing a thousand bucks, they can instead have a FULL 16 tracks of simultaneous recording for about 50-60 bucks.
cgi.ebay.com/5-PORT-VIA-U...3A1%7C294%3A200
Don't let the price fool you, those are very good cards and will run you 20-30 bucks at Staples.
8 x USB sound card - about 50 dollars
USB PCI hub - about 5 bucks on Ebay for a high grade card.
Now if your computer has 4 open USB's or you simply buy 2 cards, that equals SIXTEEN mono tracks or, EIGHT stereo tracks OR however you decide to assign them.
Simple fact is, I've never needed more than one stereo track since I currently do everything on my own and use an electronic drum set to avoid the hassles of miking my acoustic set when it comes time to record(I've never attempted nor do I want to mic a 9 piece kit!)
16 bit 48 khz IS professional grade, it's just not the highest as 32 bit 192 khz is but, most digital work stations like Tascam, Zoom, Roland etc. offer only run at 16 bit 48khz so this is one hell of a cheap alternative and if you have a laptop, it allows for a multitrack studio on the go with the use of an external USB hub with wallwort power supply since the power demands of so many USB cards will overdrive a laptop.
Jun 14, 2009 06:55 am You're right...but sometimes I can't help being childish and rude. Sorry.
So...what's your latency like? There are all kinds of things that separate inexpensive audio interfaces from the big boys. A/D converters, for example. It just seems a little bit far-fetched to think that the setup you describe is going to give the same results as a $1,000 unit. Also, what do you use for preamps? These sound adapters don't appear to have them. Finally, how do you get two channels out of each USB adapter when it says that the input is a mono microphone 1/4 inch jack?
And what's with your screen name and stuff? Are you obsessed with death or something?
Please don't misinterpret my skepticism as being childish or rude. It's just that when something like this comes along this forum, and it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Jun 14, 2009 02:33 pm Look at the picture
While the ad says mono, you'll clearly see the 3 poles are there for stereo input as is the case with any CM119 driven audio device, it is in fact a stereo input end delivers 1 stereo channel.
Same is the case with any PCI card's mic input, it identifies the input device as either stereo or mono. Feed it a stereo signal and you have TWO channels-a left and a right and can access Window's microphone preamp through the Window's Mixer just as with any other sound card.
I am running a 2.75 ghz processor with 2 gigs of RAM, not the most powerful PC by a long shot but have had no latency issues thus far recording 4 tracks at once.
There are numerous USB capture cards in this price range that will work, some even have a video capture such as the EasyCap video card which is also on Ebay for under 8 bucks if you hunt around. I own this one as well and YES, it absolutely works and you can use more than one at a time.
Latency is really only an issue with video when using a PC like mine and that's only if I try to do other tasks so that's a no no.
Digital Multitrack Workstations such as the Rolands, Zooms, Boss, etc. are VERY basic internally. I understand you're tech retarded but I am not. Most of the units costing 300-600 dollars won't let you do more than 4 tracks of simultaneous recording and why?
BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP DESIGNS AND OVERPRICED. May as well be using a laptop and routing into your sound card's mic and line in then channel assigning each L/R with your recording software.
Guitar Jim I'm going to assume you just have a very boring life which is why you're being so rude and borderline nasty. I've encountered other moderators such as yourself and it's generally because there's 200 million people online yet only about 20 of them regularly visit your site which has you rather bitter and desperate for attention.
In fact I'm willing to bet you're jealous that you weren't smart enough to come up with this system yourself.
IT WORKS and unless you live out of a garbage can, 6 bucks and the temporary use of an onboard USB port is an expense I'm sure you can suffer to find out I am in fact right.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 14, 2009 04:16 pm No need to get defensive, unless there is a need.
The thing is your dealing with people, who as myself have been doing this for many years. And have been in the digital age since its beginning and have seen this kind of thing over and over and over again.
Cheap is one thing, take the Behringer UB or UA interfaces for instance. They utilize the higher end audio chip you have listed on your ebay page. It has worked for 2 out of 1000 people. Use the search tool and look up all the threads regarding the cheap and low end interfaces sold today and for the last ten years. You will find thread after thread here of the folks who have nothing but trouble. And it is mostly due to incompatibility with other hardware or software being used.
Staples only carries 2 sound cards, both are PCI and the Diamond brand. No USB type at all found there.
And as I stated above, your claim of them running on a powered USB hub is nonsense. For one thing, it will add extreme latency to an already slow sound chip that is meant for playback only. And as I and Jim both stated. What about the AD/DA converter's. Are you going to tell me that a little USB card that doesn't even cost as much as one of the converter's in my interface will compete professionally with these?
By the way, we will soon see if you claim is true. I have 4 of them on the way. If nothing else they will make nifty decoration's.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 14, 2009 04:46 pm Read this page www.cmedia.com.tw/usb_cm119.html and then tell me that this is a high end chip for audio.
As well, you still haven't shown me anything about the AD/DA converter's on their little interface.
Windows microphone pre-amp???? WTF are you talking about???
Latency is only a problem with video?? Really, maybe you better do a search on that as well.
From your nonsense rantings I can see that you have never owned or used any of the equipment you are so fast to rant on about being crap. So if you bothered to read my last post at all you will see. I first off don't live out of a garbage can, which by the way is strike two for you inching you closer to being banned. I have ordered 4 or your little jewels and we shall see if your claim is true.
And maybe you had better take a look around at the membership here. I highly doubt 20 people per day would keep this site alive, and ranked as high as it is.
Have a wonderful afternoon Joe.
Jun 14, 2009 05:36 pm Ya know, I'll buy the fact it'll do the job, I used to sell $10 sound cards at a retail store I managed that would do the job...so it's possible, but there is no way you are getting "professional results" from anything with mini-plugs and a C-Media chip designed for VoIP...
I'm not taking shots at this product, I am sure it'll record, and I'm sure it'll play back...but I would dearly love to have a look at one of these to review for the site and find out for myself. I'd certainly look at it with an open mind. I did just spend about $40 on a video/audio capture USB device that works awesome...so it can be done...
That being said, everybody else, stop the insults...ya wanna talk, have differing opinions and all of that, fine, stay off the insults please.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 14, 2009 06:22 pm I'm more interested in the VoIP aspect of this device. I do not see this working with Protools as claimed earlier. I also question whether it will work with Vista. I personally wouldn't go this route because my USB hub would not allow these to be installed side-by-side. They are too wide to do that. I also do not think these would co-exist with any other soundcards.
JonDeath your comments about being "tech retarded" is way out of line.
BTW - just because a card is 16 bit 48 khz doesn't make it "professional grade". If the converters are crap then this is a moot point.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 14, 2009 07:39 pm I'll just ask these last questions after the tech retarded comment.
How old are you really Jon?
And how many years of electronic engineering and audio do you have behind you?
Jun 14, 2009 09:26 pm Wow, bitter much?
You guys are rather pathetic and have no lives
I'm not going to argue with children who are angry because their dreams in music left them lying flat on their faces.
So yes, you are tech retards since you didn't see the DAC listed as 16 bit. It's called nanoboard you caveman. I've made several mutlitrack recordings using this system, the quality is excellent and it's shameful that you will mislead those without the money to pay a loser like you or dump into the equipment themselves who will greatly benefit from this cheap and efficient setup.
My PC experiences no latency and as I stated, it's mid grade.
Yes, Staple's DOES sell PCI USB hubs, gets off your butt for a change and actually deal with people in person.
Would you like to see my dick??
It's certainly bigger than yours just as my brain is.
I know for fact I'm right and for fact you're wrong. You all come across as the losers that work at Guitar Center and Sam Ash who spent big bucks on expensive equipment just to find out nobody wants to listen to your music.
You guys are losers and I don't associate with bitter crybabies that try to take out their failure, ignorance and insecurities on the alpha male by ganging up on him.
I'm better than you in any way we measuer-brains, looks, skill, talent-you name it.
I'm looking over your profiles and it's obvious, nobody wants to look at you let alone listen to you.
This site is nothing more than a means for you to tell people that whoops, you CAN'T actually pull this off on your own and you need to hire me.
Want to duel on guitar?
Vocals?
Anything you can do, I GUARANTEE I can do better including **** your woman only I don't have sex with farm animals.
Goodbye, have fun rotting in your own pissed off worlds of misery and dissatisfaction. There's truly nobody as angry or bitter as a failed musician who's hair has fallen out or is nearing senior citizen's discount years.
You guys FAIL
Jun 14, 2009 09:35 pm Wow, you are a major league jerk, glad you are leaving...wow...only people with little confidence fight back with that kind of venom.
"several" recordings huh? Talking down to people that have done hundreds, perhaps several hundreds, over the course of decades...that's kinda funny.
Good luck Mr. Death.
Perhaps just bitter that your self pimping of an ebay product didn't pan out quite like you'd hoped...
Jun 14, 2009 09:40 pm [quote]Guitar Jim I'm going to assume you just have a very boring life which is why you're being so rude and borderline nasty. I've encountered other moderators such as yourself and it's generally because there's 200 million people online yet only about 20 of them regularly visit your site which has you rather bitter and desperate for attention.
In fact I'm willing to bet you're jealous that you weren't smart enough to come up with this system yourself. [/quote]
I just wanted to see that paragraph rewritten in bold print! (I don't think there's one truth in it!)
I was merely trying to express my skepticism, and perhaps I did it in a less than friendly way. Sorry about the rudeness and borderline nastiness. As for the "tech retarded" comment, I hope that was directed at me and not Noize, because - while not a very nice way to phrase it - it's a fairly accurate description of me. Noize is the Man when it comes to all things Tech, and I'll reserve any further comment or judgement until he tests out your system.
Jun 14, 2009 09:44 pm Yes I'm the JERK that showed everyone a cheap way to do 16 track recording for 60 bucks on PC that absolutely works and is tried and true.
Lets do the math here.
480 mbps USB PCI card
8 x 12 mbps = 96 (when run full stream)
So even when recording a full 16 tracks at once, you're still only running a unity stream of 96 mbps
There was no need to be nasty but you all clearly have deep seeded issues and nothing better to do with your lives. Instead of saying nice work, we'll pass the word around, it's a vicious attack from bitter, angry old men.
This isn't even skepticism, it's the whining of bitter, angry old men who's lives didn't turn out the way they had hoped they would.
I invented an analog circuit that synthesizes the trumpet for guitar.
How tech retarded does that make me?
Jun 14, 2009 09:53 pm Actually, I had no bitter words at all and offered to give your product an honest, open minded review for further publicity on a web site that get hundreds of thousands of page views a month, but hey, that got over looked...
Again, good luck to ya.
Jun 14, 2009 09:57 pm Then feel free to exclude yourself from the other jerks you permit to behave this way and the one you've given moderator authority to.
Guess you don't take any responsibility for any of that though.
Jun 14, 2009 10:01 pm Believe me, the behavior has not gone unnoticed, however, you haven't exactly been the model of good decorum yourself coming in and just pimping your ebay product. SO, well, rocks thrown and glass houses and all that.
Jun 14, 2009 10:01 pm It's also noticed this isn't the first place you have veonomously defended yourself on.
You do not get pro quality products from the lowest quality components, but I am still willing to give it a serious review.
Jun 14, 2009 10:04 pm Gee why would I defend myself from angry nasty people who gang up on people and attack me?
As I said, delete my account.
People like those here are beneath me and put themselves there.
Good luck with bitterness, it's clearly a romance for all of you.
Jun 14, 2009 10:09 pm Rock on with your bad self dude. Good luck with your device.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jun 15, 2009 12:06 am Wow, simply wow... I'm sure with your PR skills you will go far.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jun 22, 2009 01:09 pm I can get that trumpet sound as well from my guitar by letting my pre clip when micing.
I wanted to read this, but calling people dimwits and retarded just because they are skeptical of a 4$ soundcard is... I don't even know, but it is enough to make me never look at the product.
Last but not least, nobody ganged up on you until you became a complete Ahole. One "ocean front property in Arizona" comment and you fly off he handle. Take your meds dude.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 23, 2009 02:38 pm Quote:
Anything you can do, I GUARANTEE I can do better
does that include self control?
That's a shame, as you probably had quite a few lurkers interested in this solution, as many people don't require high-end gear to make basic recordings. This solution may have well fit some users . . .
but
some of your claims are suspect, so it can't be out of line for some to be leery. then your poisonous attacks on people's character, homelife, family, etc. really show the thousands of viewers on this site alone, that your claims should indeed be challenged.
I start to think now, that the solution listed here may in fact be suspect, and un-suspecting purchasers and users may get a bum device, and have nothing but fits.
eh, but without empirical evidence, i'm only theorizing, so take it as such.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 23, 2009 03:45 pm Holy cow! Smooth sailing, smooth sailing, then WHAM! "you all are cavemen, blah blah". Freaking wow!
Now we've had a few sensitive types come through here, but at least they calm down and join the community. But this is a whole new breed of insanity.
Like Noize politely pointed out, we've all been fiddling with digital recording for a while now. And if you had actually joined the community, read some threads, and become acquainted with the community before spamming us with your product, you'd know that we are not prone to attacking people (even if they deserve it), and that we don't give undeserved endorsement to just any product being peddled by a brand new forum member. Posting links to products on day 1 of membership = spammer, nearly 100% of the time.
When something comes along with fantastic claims, we demand fantastic proof.
Jun 23, 2009 05:35 pm Yeah...I, however, regret my initial comments. Tongue-in-cheek doesn't always translate well over this thing called the Internet. As a Moderator I should have been more welcoming and kept my skepticism to myself. That being said, he really over-reacted.
Jun 23, 2009 05:40 pm OK, we can let this go.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Jun 23, 2009 06:06 pm I really don't care if it works. I don't think I'd use it if it did. Just the same... outside of the recording-card bs, and general mean-stuff that was said by this guy, I simply cannot resist mentioning...
I don't want my guitar to sound (kind'a)'like' a trumpet... EVER.
Why in the world would someone make a device like this, when there are so many soft-synths that produce a much higher-quality end-product? Is it a case of 'needing' to play a guitar to produce the sound? Have an 'aversion to keys/midi'... or 'playing the real thing', but 'refuse to interact with people who have the particular talent required to kick *** on a trumpet'? I just don't get it, but I can guess it's the latter of excuses. Could be wrong... just can't see that happening for some reason.(Especially those 'round here)
As much as I hate to see guys like this ****ing on my absolute favorite site... the truth is that it is on the internet, and can be dealt with accordingly. Just the same, for future-reference MrDeath... being nice to people who are skeptical of things that they, in all reality, should be skeptical about, will get you just about this far in almost every other aspect of your life that it pertains to. It's a bit of that whole 'natural-selection' thing. So, please evolve... and by all means get laid, but whatever you do, please do not breed. Thank you.
Lock, please?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jun 23, 2009 08:31 pm Sorry, but this thread is like a bloody car wreck, I can't stop looking!
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jun 23, 2009 09:16 pm well... if that guitar clip was recorded though these and it was supposed to sound like a trumpet... then we can estimate the quality level of these things...
99.99% THD ...thats good right? :)
