Using AA 1.5 and try to figure out how to interface multiple inputs.

[jaz2375]

I have been using AA 1.5 for a couple of years with a single mic directly into the mic jack on my sound card and its been working fine. But now I want to record each instrament to its own track using multitrack. Everyone is saying get an external mixing board, but I don't wanna spend that kind of money unless I have to. I though AA could be the mixing board for me. I just don't know how to record using multitrack. Do I need a midi interface that connects usb? Thats what someone told me, but I though midi was for keyboards. I am lost and searching for a device that I don't even know exists.

Any info you be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

jz

[lpdeluxe]

USB (or Firewire) is the best bet. I've been using a Korg D888 to record band rehearsals with, then connecting it to the computer and importing the tracks into 1.5 for editing.

Anyhow, there are a number of interfaces that accept up to 8 mic inputs and connect to your computer via USB or Firewire. If you go to any online music dealer's website and go to their recording department, you'll find a great many such interfaces at a great many price points.

You designate the USB device inputs in Options/Device Order. At one point I had two Terratec sound cards in my computer, and I was able to route inputs from either card to any track for recording.

MIDI doesn't do much with AA. The only thing I use it for is the Mackie Control Universal control surface. To load the firmware update that allows it to work with CEP and AA, I had to download the MIDI file from Mackie's website, then play it back through Winamp since AA won't play back MIDI.

How many separate tracks do you want to record at once? That will ultimately determine what kind of sound card/interface you need.

However many separate tracks you want to record, is how many inputs your sound card will need.

My sound card (Audiophile 24/96) has 2 inputs. This means I can only record 2 separate tracks at once. Getting a mixer will not solve that problem. It will let you record more than 2 sources, but you will still not be able to get more than 2 separate tracks on your computer. The mixer will "mix" those separate signals and send it to your computer as a single, already-mixed, stereo track.

What you're looking for is an interface. This could be PCI, USB, or FireWire. I recommend PCI, then FireWire, and I'd advise you to stay away from USB if possible.

Edit: A couple more things...

Most built-in sound cards have a Line In jack, which is what you are probably using. In most cases, this is a stereo jack. Which gives you 2 channels, or 2 possible separate tracks. One track would record from the left channel, the other from the right.

And nowadays, FireWire might actually be better than PCI unless you can find a PCIe (express) interface. Either FireWire or PCI(e) would be good.