Looking for mixing software and firewire mixer advice

[JJTHEHAMMER]

I am about to buy a computer. The following question may sound pretty dumb,,,,,I am definitely a NEWB!!

Is the following even possible?
I would like to have a 16 channel recorder without buying one.
I would like to buy the other 8 channels in a software based program
I have a:
Tascam DP01FX 8 track digital recorder
I would like to have 8 more channels to mix down through the TASCAM by utilizing a software program that would record at least 8 more channels and be able to mix those back down to the recorder so i have a 16 channel digital mixer.

I think I already know the answer to this so go easy on me........

[dzach]

I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to do here. It seems like you want to be able to mix 16 seperate tracks at the same time, which will be impossible to do on your Digital 8-track, so I don't know why you'd want to dump your tracks into the computer and then back onto the 8-track.

If you really want to mix down through the 8-track, the only way I can think of is recording the first 8 tracks you want, dumping them into the computer, and then mixing all 8 tracks into one channel on the Tascam. Then you'd have 7 more channels to play with, but of course you couldn't adjust any levels for the previous 8 tracks.

If you wanted to mix 16 seperate tracks at the same time, you could do it on your computer. Do the first 8 tracks, dump them into your audio software. Then start start playing back your audio on the computer and do your first overdub on the 8-track. Bounce to computer, sync with the first 8-tracks, repeat. It would be an incredible pain in the ass, but I guess it would be possible.

Or you could just sell the Tascam and buy a USB interface for your computer, and have unlimited tracks

[Fieva]

Originally Posted by dzach

Or you could just sell the Tascam and buy a USB interface for your computer, and have unlimited tracks

Can't argue with that post at all.

[Carter]

I can argue about the USB part! Firewire my friend, Firewire!