Introduction to Multitrack Computer Interface Recording

**arcadeko** · 06-15-2011

Originally Posted by grimtraveller

Never again will you have to bump this thread. Forever and a day, it now is and shall remain, a sticky.
Arise, Sir Schtickfelden of Stickenham !

I'm off to celebrate.

YAY!

And no... that's not me

**Ahmacrom** · 07-01-2011

Hi everyone. In the article, there is little mention of the outputs on the interfaces. Is that the term then, that "computer recording" is the process of recording on to the computer and staying in the computer for mixing etc? My challenge is understanding how the outputs of the interface go to an analog mixer for headphone mixes.Just using a mixer with the interface. I read the whole tweakheads site and did not find the analog mixer to soundcard article helpful at all. I'll keep looking around these forums.

**jape** · 07-13-2011

Excellent article, cleared up a lot of points for me. Thank you.

**mjbphotos** · 07-14-2011

Originally Posted by Ahmacrom

Hi everyone. In the article, there is little mention of the outputs on the interfaces. Is that the term then, that "computer recording" is the process of recording on to the computer and staying in the computer for mixing etc? My challenge is understanding how the outputs of the interface go to an analog mixer for headphone mixes.Just using a mixer with the interface. I read the whole tweakheads site and did not find the analog mixer to soundcard article helpful at all. I'll keep looking around these forums.

You typically would not go from an interface TO a mixer - plug your headphones directly into the interface.

**Sydney** · 07-16-2011

Thanks arcadeco for the great information! My main issue has been getting a really good stereo recording from my keyboard. You mention:

RCA jacks are also common (usually L/R red and white stereo) for line inputs/outputs.
Common analog outputs are similar to the inputs but ¼” jack outputs are probably the most common, usually a left and right.

I do have a Soundblaster Creative Live Drive IR panel on my computer that came with the soundcard. It only has one 1/4 input, but it DOES have RCA L/R inputs that I think I'll try. Do you think the RCA inputs will get me a good stereo recording?

Thanks,

**arcadeko** · 07-16-2011

Originally Posted by Sydney

I do have a Soundblaster Creative Live Drive IR panel on my computer that came with the soundcard. It only has one 1/4 input, but it DOES have RCA L/R inputs that I think I'll try. Do you think the RCA inputs will get me a good stereo recording?

That is a pretty old card - I think I had one like 10 years ago! I used it for low quality voice over stuff. I don't think I ever used the Aux in but couldn't hurt to try it out. Not sure what the bit depth of that card is - you really want at least 16 and really 24 is ideal. The specs say it records at 48kHz so you may be able to get a decent signal from it.

**stevieb** · 07-16-2011

Excellent little post, and certainly sticky-worthy. I would suggest you expand on it as your time and knowledge permit, and update it from time to time.

**arcadeko** · 07-16-2011

Originally Posted by stevieb

Excellent little post, and certainly sticky-worthy. I would suggest you expand on it as your time and knowledge permit, and update it from time to time.

I am thinking about doing one on DAW basics next. Maybe they can change a setting and make the first post editable again and I could just add it there. Otherwise it will be waaay down here

**Sydney** · 07-20-2011

Arcadeko,

I do have a Soundblaster Creative Live Drive IR panel on my computer that came with the soundcard. It only has one 1/4 input, but it DOES have RCA L/R inputs that I think I'll try. Do you think the RCA inputs will get me a good stereo recording?

Well, I tried the RCA L/R inputs, and I am not getting a good stereo sound. Which means I'm going to have to upgrade my audio interface.

All I want is a good stereo recording for my keyboard, and MIDI capability. When I mean stereo, I mean the kinda sound where you can feel it go back and forth to both ears, touching your eardrums. I just cannot seem to get this.

When I look at the pictures of the audio interfaces that you have links of, I can't see the 1/4 inch L and R inputs. Do most of them have this and I'm just not seeing it?

Thanks,

**arcadeko** · 07-20-2011

Originally Posted by Sydney

All I want is a good stereo recording for my keyboard, and MIDI capability. When I mean stereo, I mean the kinda sound where you can feel it go back and forth to both ears, touching your eardrums. I just cannot seem to get this.

When I look at the pictures of the audio interfaces that you have links of, I can't see the 1/4 inch L and R inputs. Do most of them have this and I'm just not seeing it?

Thanks,

Almost every interface will have the standard 1/4" instrument jack as well as an XLR 3-pin mic jack - as for the midi - you don't need a midi input in your interface since you can get a USB-to-MIDI cable on ebay for like $10

- as far as stereo - if you need to record stereo output from a keyboard then you will need to get a minimum two channel interface. Almost every interface is stereo capable - like an Avid Mbox - or even an Alesis Multimix 8 would work at about $150 (you don't need the USB 2 if you only want to record 2 tracks, if you want to record each 8 channels separate get the USB 2.0 which is around $250) -

there are several small interfaces that will work that are inexpensive.

Is there any reason you want to record the midi also? the midi is just the keystrokes on the keyboard - no sound - but you can apply that to different synths via midi. You could actually record just the midi into Reaper and use a free VST synth to reproducs the sound - then you wouldn't even need an interface because you wouldn't actually need to record an audio signal - just the midi data.