8 Track to computer - sinc?

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gmidd

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I'm a real newbie - so forgive where necessary. I've been sending my 8 track reel to reel tascam 38 through a makie 1604 mixer, into my computer thru a soundblaster live sound card. My question is can I record each track, solo, do that 8 times and build 8 tracks that I can then process with a software eq? But then how do I handle getting each track in sync? And after that is handled, durring mixingdown to 2 track stereo would the software EQ remeber the slide positions? I'm thinking this would be easier to get a good mix rather than trying to write down all the slider levels on the makie?
Thanks, gmidd
 
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One thought - an option might be to record a midi syync track on the 8 track, and then you could move the audio tracks over one by one synced.
 
I do have a click recorded on one of the 8 tracks. Which was used when the originall recording was made 15 - 20 years ago. Would a computer program read the click and start the playback of the tascam in sync with what it recorded?
 
gmidd said:
I do have a click recorded on one of the 8 tracks. Which was used when the originall recording was made 15 - 20 years ago. Would a computer program read the click and start the playback of the tascam in sync with what it recorded?
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Yes, I think so. That would be MTC, I suppose. That is what I o used to do when bringing my midi tracks to studios back in the day. I think it worls in reverse - I haven't done this in a while, but as I recall, you start the tascam playback, and the sequencer starts on sync. Remember, the sequencer is the slave to the tape, so it follows its cue so tospeak.
 
It's probably not the best solution, but with patience and careful attention, you can accurately align your tracks to the click track after they've been imported to the computer with software mixers. However, you won't have the identical live timing you originally had on the mix (again, I guess you can if your patient enough and do some critical listening to the original :p ).
 
Find someone with an 8 channel sound card and pay them a few bucks to transfer real quick for you. You will be thankful in the end:D
 
In response to fraserhutch,
The sequence I am now going to build on the computer will be a copy of what is on the reel to reel right? Would the Slave, Sequencer, pick up the sync track fromm the reel to reel and be able to use the one I have? Or will I have to rerecord a synk track that whatever program I end up getting willuse?
I didn't know there were 8 track sound cards. Are there? how much do they run? I would get one in a heartbeat. I have about 100 reels of 8 track I would like to get into the computer.
Am I right in thinking the computer is an easier way to mixdown? Because I wouldn't have to remember the slide positons on the mixer, the software EQ program will do that as I set it right? So the last time thru I would just watch the eq levels change on the screen? and when I'm as happy as time and patience allows burn it to cd.
A Good quality program that does all this will cost? and then I'll and digital video into the mix as my next step, bringinng 8 track reel to reel in a 8 chanel software program for mixing and dumps
 
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If you have the means to record a sharp transient note or even a tap on a mic across all eight tracks (simultaneously) on a section of the tape prior to where the audio starts, you could use that as a guide for lining up the tracks on the computer.
However, as xstatic states, it would be a lot easier using a multi input soundcard.
 
And yes, once you save your project within your recording software, all fader, EQ, inserts, sends, etc... will be saved and recalled upon re-opening the project.

You could try out Kristal Audio Engine for a free 16 track sequencer.
 
The problem with aligning audio tracks after the fact is that it assumes that the tape playback speed would be constant for each take. That may not be the case with older tape machines and older tape. Sync solves that issue and he already has a sync track. Certainly a cleaner option would be to get an 8-track card, but I didn't know that was on the table, and of course, it will cost him.
 
I believe he just has a click track recorded, not that the tape has been striped with MTC.
However, you are correct in that the mechanism of the deck may not maintain consistent speeds during each consecutive playback.
 
We used to call it click track back then (80's) so I assumed that what he had.
 
Could be I suppose.
I just assumed it was just click track as in tempo guide. :confused:
 
gmidd said:
In response to fraserhutch,
The sequence I am now going to build on the computer will be a copy of what is on the reel to reel right? Would the Slave, Sequencer, pick up the sync track fromm the reel to reel and be able to use the one I have? Or will I have to rerecord a synk track that whatever program I end up getting willuse?
Click to expand...
The sequencer can use click track data to follow the track on tape. So, yes, it would be a copy of what is on the tape. Whether it is mtc or midi sync, offhand I don't recall what we used. If you want, I could find out more info on this as it has been about 10 years, but it sounds like you will be going the 8-input card route.

FWIW, essentially, you slave the sequencer to the tape machine and run it 7 times, once for each track (you don't need to record the sync track).
I didn't know there were 8 track sound cards. Are there? how much do they run? I would get one in a heartbeat. I have about 100 reels of 8 track I would like to get into the computer.
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Now you're into another discussion entirely. Do a search in The Rack forum. There are literally hundreds of replies to this question and a lot of really useful info. Short answer, you can spend from $100 to $5000 on such a beast.

Am I right in thinking the computer is an easier way to mixdown? Because I wouldn't have to remember the slide positons on the mixer, the software EQ program will do that as I set it right? So the last time thru I would just watch the eq levels change on the screen? and when I'm as happy as time and patience allows burn it to cd.
Click to expand...
Again, another topic entirely, and there are several camps on this issue. I happen to be a mixer guy - I have mixed both in a DAW and through mixers, and I am just not truly comfortable without my mixer. I like faders and such.
However, there are many who love DAWs and swear by them.
A Good quality program that does all this will cost? and then I'll and digital video into the mix as my next step, bringinng 8 track reel to reel in a 8 chanel software program for mixing and dumps
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Search this forum and you'll find endless debates on this subject. I personally will not go there, and will never again recommend a sequencer package :)

Hope this helps a bit.
 
Thanks for all your ideas. So it soundd like I should get a new sound card and software program that will allow me to do this. Anyone have Ideas?

I Have: tascam 38, Makie 1604, windows 200 Pro , pentiul 4, 70 GB, 256 ram, soundblastre live card. I do have many other proecessors, compresors,gates, aural exciters, midi eqand such thtat I don't know how to use. My feeling is to leave all that out and process within the computer's software.
. Also I'll need a souncard with a headphone jack as the sound I record is not the sound I end up hearing on puter speackers. (big suprise)

Thanks Again you very helpfull
 
crankz1 said:
Could be I suppose.
I just assumed it was just click track as in tempo guide. :confused:
Click to expand...


YES I do believe it is just a click track for tempo and a cue for the next track to be put down
 
gmidd said:
YES I do believe it is just a click track for tempo and a cue for the next track to be put down
Click to expand...

Ah! That's why I was specific in asking if it was some form of MIDI sync.
 
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