Looking to set up a home recording studio but idso of help/advice

[serious]

I am looking to run computer programmed software while running live instruments through my 4-track with the ability to record both simultaneously onto my computer. I do not know how to do this or if it is even possible. I believe I have all the neccessary equipment but I am lacking knowledge in this area. Any help would be welcomed and greatly appreciated.

cowboyblacks@aol.com

please put "recording studio" in the subject heading as I tend to get a lot of junk emails and do not want to delete anything that is important. Thanks!

[ignition]

I think most people around here would agree that if they're going to take the time to help you, you can take the time to check back here for the answer, rather than us just emailing you. Besides, how are we supposed to pad our post counts by email?

That being said - to do this, you'll need the multitrack software (n-track is a good, cheaply priced option), a soundcard that has as many inputs as you want to record at once (ie: if you want to record all 4 tracks at once, you'll need a card with 4 inputs), and some way of outputting 4 tracks seperately from your recorder. As far as I know, most 4 tracks don't have direct outs for each track, but depending on what you have, there might be a way to do it.

If you're only looking to record a few tracks at once, you could get by with the soundcard you have, and just record from the stereo outs on your 4 track to the line in of your soundcard.

travis

[serious]

I appreciate your response. I apologize if I offended anyone in anyway by asking them to email me. I am completely new to posting on a forum and did not realize that I should ask for people to respond to me here instead of emailing me. As long as I can get the answers that I am in search of, any way that I receive them is just fine with me

[OnTheBlackRock]

first off, i use to have portable studio's which is what a 4-track is... when I got a Mac G4 and protools I had no need for it anymore... I just traded in my old portable studio's got a nice mixer with direct outs etc and ran it straight into the sound card or my Digi 001 ... recording first on a portable studio with not that many tracks at all (4 isn't alot) will just degrade the sound... if you have the option of getting computer software and record digitally then go trade in your 4-track and just use the pc... you'll get a way better and clearer sound than with your 4 track (especially if it's an analog tape deck one)