MGS said:Tim,
When you say digital recordings, do you mean recording the initial tracks to digital, or mixing down the analog masters from your MD50 to PC?
Mark
MGS said:Tim,
Run a set of RCA cables out from the stereo output of your MD50 into the line-in on your computer's sound card (you'll probably need a stereo 1/8'' adapter to connect to the computer). Loop in your effects to the aux section of the MD50. Once the stereo product is on the PC as a .wav file, you can edit it and then burn a CD with your CD burner's software. I'm assuming alot about what you have at your disposal, so let me know if this advice doesn't comply with your setup.
Mark
MGS said:Tim,
If your computer has a sound card, it probably has recording software. You'll have to tell me what kind of card you have. For your purposes, a Soundblaster Live card would be sufficient. It is not specifically designed for pro recording applications (more for gaming) but, trust me, it will work well for your purposes and has a built in .wav file editor (I use this software myself). Better and more expensive cards are available but they are primarily for those who record their initial tracks to the PC directly and don't use an external workstation like your MD50 to mixdown. The MD50 does not "write" per say to any format. You will simply have to play your master tapes on the MD50 and simultaneously record them to your PC via the sound card in real time. I use a very similar setup to what you are thinking of getting into (I have a Yamaha MX-4 multitracker) and will be happy to guide you through any future problems you may encounter. Let me know what kind of sound card you have (if any) and we'll go from there. Give me some specs on your PC, too (hard drive capacity, RAM, etc.) If you don't have a card, get a SB-Live. If you want to hear some of my recordings done on the MX-4 and mixed-down to PC (just like we discussed), visit my webpage at
http://www.geocities.com/jstriomgs
Go to the "sound samples" button and download any of the MP3s. They are large so I hope you have a fast connection.
Mark
MGS said:Tim,
Thanks for the feedback re: "Valentine". Your computer is well equipped for recording, you just need a burner. Each minute of CD quality recording uses about 10meg of storage but your hard-drive is plenty big enough to hold many hours of music. Explore your sound card before purchasing SB-Live. It may have an adequate recording/ editing component. If you go for SB-Live, I am very familiar with it and can tell you exactly how to go about mixing down from your MD50. Talk to you soon.
Mark
MGS said:Tim,
You should have some kind of desktop shortcut to the soundcard's software, or it will be somewhere in your start menu (probably "programs") for Win98. You'll have to find it and examine its functions. It should have a record button, play, pause, etc. just like a real recorder. I really can't tell you exactly how to access it because I'm not familiar with your card. Once you find its record section, connect your MD-50s stereo line-out to the line-in on the back of your PC (probably needing a 1/8" adapter). Then adjust the individual mixer levels, eq, etc. on the MD50 while playing your tape. You should be hearing the tape's material through your monitors. When you have the settings right, play the MD50s tape and hit the record button on the card. Adjust levels as needed on the MD50 and on the cards input level (which should be displayed as a knob or fader on screen).
Mark
MGS said:Don't bother with Microsoft sound recorder. My Soundblaster Live was installed with my PC when I bought it so I'm sure it's available from most PC stores. If you purchase it, let me know and I'll walk you through the recording process.
Mark