I'm thinking of getting a tablet for doing some recording, but I'm not sure if it will work like I want it. I was hoping to get some advice before spending any money. Here's what I want to do.
I want to be able to do multitrack recording on a tablet, so that I can take it with me to record band practice. This is strictly for capturing purposes. I plan to download the audio files to my desktop, and do all the mixing and mastering there. The idea for the tablet is strictly that it's portable, so I can record in any location.
I already have a DAW and an audio interface, a Behringer UMC404HD. The only hangup is this. Most of the tablets I've seen have a microUBS input, whereas the Behringer is a regular USB. Would I be able to simply get an adapter, so that I could plug the Behringer into the microUSB, or would that not be compatible?
My other question is, do you need different DAW software for a tablet?
The only real choices for true tablet are Ipad when it comes to processing audio. Android has not developed support to resolve latency issues etc. If money is no object, get an Ipad pro or air at a minimum with 64gb or more. If laptop or PC is used instead, the options depend on the OS you are using.
Update your 404 interface with the newest firmware. This will help with any noise and related issues with IOS compatibility.
Get a powered USB hub, plug the 404 into the hub then use a lightning to USB etc.
There are two great applications which will allow true multitrack input recording using the 404, one is Cubasis from Steinberg, the other is Auria. I have both and use both as they have pros and cons for each. Auria is super easy to setup and will look and act a lot like your existing DAW so recording and processing will be familiar.
You can use Auria to record multiple tracks, great for band recordings and do full mix downs to final if you wanted, or you can export tracks individually or in a batch to your DAW of choice to complete final processing and mixdown.
The software mentioned by the other person above is great software but its not a multitrack DAW, more for recording 2 channels etc., think of it as something like audacity or any simple recording app. Not at all what you want to record your band with IMO.
With Auria, its a full on DAW, uses plugins for EQ, compression, reverb etc. Some you can buy and add and some come with the app. There is a pro version of Auria which supports midi etc. Cubasis does a lot of things similar but has a differnt feel. Its Cubase for IOS and works very well. Cubasis also comes with plugins and also allows purchase for more choices. I think recording and mixing to final product, you can make some phenominal demos and even final mixes with Auria which is probably a more advanced DAW as far as features. If you want to use your own DAW, Auria supports exporting tracks and does it very easily. I use Presonus Studio One 3 and have zero issues recording, mixing , processing and exporting to Studio One from Auria. I also use a Presonus 1818 vsl interface which I have had for a few years and can be purchased around $200 now. They have great mic pre's an offer remote control using the Ipad but with some limitations due to Apple's newest IOS updates.
You probably can't record a band with only 4 mics, I would say minimaly you would need 8 interfaces but just depends on how you record or what you are trying to capture sound wise. Good luck!