soundcards/software

[rubee]

hi all - i'm new to this place. just bought a new, more powerful pc that's geared toward my musical interests, which encompass the whole process of playing and recording, and am in a bit of a quandary...
previously, i just used my tascam 424 - and then took it along with the recording to my buddy's place, hooked it up to his protools (heeehee) or his soundcard, rather and did my cd that way - mixed and burned it digitally.
the quandary is that now i want to do this myself. i need a souncard that has more inputs than the one that came with my pc... but i really need only 4 inputs (to coincide w/ my 4 track) any future recording will be done one or two tracks at a time, so...
also, what's the best deal on recording software/effects?
Like a previous post, i too am swimming in propaganda.

my hard drive includes a cd/r/rw, so everything will be accomplished internally...

[Carter Simcoe]

the Lexincon Core2 has 4 inputs.

[rubee]

as a matter of coincidence, i was (just now) checking out the lexicon core II - it seems to fit the bill. but i can't tell from the literature if it will be compatible with cakewalk sonar....???
tc

[Carter Simcoe]

well i don't own either product. I have an Echo Layla sound card and am waiting on Sonar to ship. What I do know is that Pro Audio 9 is compatable with any soundcard compatable with windows so it is a safe bet that Sonar will support it. You also might want to check into a Echo Mona. It also has 4 inputs the new ones are expensive because they have built in preamps but you might be able to find one of the older ones without the preamps on E-bay.

[rubee]

yeah, i noticed that the monas were pretty spendy...

so, preamps would serve what purpose exactly? boosting line signals in? is noise a concern with preamps? from my standpoint , transferring tracks from analog - (and not liking dolby very much - a necessary evil sometimes) noise is sort of a problem, especially trying to achieve an audible enough digital product... but then maybe for that reason the preamps would be a benefit eh..?
tc

[Carter Simcoe]

actually preamps are only useful for microphone inputs, so you would not require them to transfer your analog recordings. However if in the future you record anything directy to your computer using microphones you will want some kind of preamp. this can be accomplished through a sound card with built in preamps like the Mona, a mixer or just a stand alone preamp (something like the PreSonus BlueTube preamp). You should note that while you CAN plug a mic directly into your sound card and record that it will sound much better if you run through some form of a preamp first.

[rubee]

Thanks for the help, carter - new stuff should be here in a couple days... if i get tangled up in it, ill be back!
tc

[Carter Simcoe]

no problem. What did you end up getting????

[rubee]

Well, i went with the lexicon2 core...and i needed a new mixer, so i got a behringer eurorack 20 channel board (w/line preamps) got a new rode condenser mic, and if that's not enough, i got a pearl drum kit - the compact traveler, & some cymbals - my 8 yr. old son is an up and coming neil pert, in a band and everything - it's cute!so... i'm hoping that the eurorack will serve dual purposes - stage and studio...
tc

[Carter Simcoe]

Wow, sounds like you really decided to splurge! Have fun and post again if you run into any problems, i'll try and help if I can.

[duck]

Good preamps are needed for good clean signals. The eurorack should work nicely(even though its not a mackie)
If your computer can handle recording I would basically take the tascam out of the chain and use it for a scratchpad for music and uploading any music you may already have on tape. I wouldnt even use it for normal recording as you will find out after hearing digital. With that mixer and all those inputs and options your ready to rock and roll. You will have way more than 4 tracks and wont have to bounce.
As far as software goes just make sure your computer specs can handle it and be prepared to take time to learn your software and hardware. I would start out with something simple like PowerTracks Pro ($29) or cakewalk. Plenty of guys here to point you in the right direction! Get used to telling your wife "Ill see you in the morning"

Duck

[Somnambulant]

Greetings, all! We just bought a Gina24. We have a dedicated PC, mixer, compressor, etc... We just got our feet wet last night with a few tracks. We are running CoolEdit Pro 1.2. Any advice on what to expect? We are recording mic'd drums, guitar, bass, and vocals. So far everything sounds awesome! Considering we had been using an 8 year old Portastudio, that's not surprising. I am psyched about learning the ins and outs of digital recording. We have been playing with the idea of setting up a home studio for about 5 years. Now that we have one, we have a LOT to learn...