Basic recording question

[gospel]

I have been doing a lot of research trying to learn more about recording my gospel group using a computer. I will need to record 4 tracks simultaneously if possible. I have learned quite a bit about recording directly into the computer using my pa equipment and a Delta 44 soundcard. But I was also wondering exactly what using a digital multi-track recorder and dumping into my computer for mastering and burning to CD involved.
I know that a digital multi-track is quite a bit more expensive than just buying a Delta 44 and the 44 has four ins where the 4 tracks go directly into the computer. Most of the less expensive digital 4 tracks that I have looked at only have 2 outs (that I am guessing would go into my computer?). In other words I would only be able to record two tracks at a time. In addition to the questions above there are a few more:
1. What kind of sound card would I need to use a digital multi-track?
2. Is there some other way using a multi-track with two outs to record 4 tracks simultaneously?

[beatmachine]

Well, if you want to record it all at the same time, live(and you have a soundcard with four ins of the same kind), i suggest not using another device at all...get out and buy Cakewalk Homestudio... or somethin like that, and just record it.

[c7sus]

If you need four simultaneous inputs and four seperate tracks then you need a soundcard that will support 4 ins. If you can overdub then you could get by recording one track at a time.

I'm not sure I understand by your question about "digital multitrack". By that do you mean a standalone DAW like those by Roland/Boss/Akai/etc?

If that is what you mean then you would record onto the DAW and then either mix down to stereo and dump that into your computer for burning. Or you could dump tracks individually from the DAW into Cakewalk or similar, add FX, then mix down and burn within the computer. But I think that would be pretty redundant, gear wise.

I think when you get into cards of the quality of the Delta you mentioned you are probably getting higher quality converters than you would in a low-end DAW. Lots of people here are using those pieces and are happy with them. I'm a bit skeptical of anything that offers an "all-in-one" solution. Somewhere along the way the have to sacrifice either component quality or features in order to meet the price point they are aiming for.