2 track vs 4 track+ recording

[jamminji]

Hi all,

In reading many of the posts here it seems like most people here do all their recording via a two input sound card. Does everyone just keep layering one track at a time, over and over? Does anyone bring in more then 2 tracks at a time? I have a tascam 4 track recorder/mixer and want to bring in 4 tracks at once. Is this something that is not very popular?

jam

 

[Slackmaster2K]

I wouldn't say "most" people have 2 track systems. Lot of us have 8 track systems, tons have 4 channel (e.g. Delta 44 is very popular here), and then lots of folks have 2 channel cards.

Yes, I would say we all layer tracks...overdubbing is used extensively no matter what you're recording on, and whether you're recording yourself or a band.

The reason people would only have 2 channel cards is that they're recording themselves and they'll never need more than 2 simultaneous inputs. That doesn't mean that they're limited to 2 tracks...they're limited to what their software and hardware limit them to, which often means virtually "unlimited" tracks.

The Delta44 is the entry level 4 channel card and runs at about $200-230. As I said, you'll find that a whole lot of people around here have them.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[Stealthtech]

Also, just to mention, folks using 2 input cards can be using an external mixer for multiple inputs {like recording a band} only 1 stereo track is recorded to disc however.

 

[mixsit]

...A pair of eight ch. RME's. Band tracking uses 10 or more at a time. Then 2 d/a's for master, and two pairs of a/d's and d/a's switch to external effects sends/returns, plus a few for the overdubs.
Wayne