Analog to Digital (Tascam 424 MKII to Cool Edit Pro)

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sacevedo79

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I've been recording in analog on Tascam 4-tracks for a bunch of years now... I finally started integrating my computer into my recording setup, and I've got a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

I use an SM-57 and SM-58 for mics, Tascam 424 MKII 4-track, and assorted guitars through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe; Pentium III, Soundblaster Live! Soundcard, and Cool Edit Pro.

This is the setup I've been working with now:

1. Record 3 live drum tracks onto the MKII with a gtr. scratch track.

2. Mix the drums tracks down to Cool Edit and return them onto to the MKII in one stereo track.

3. Record live gtrs. (2) and bass on MKII (w/ drum tracks).

4. Mix down these 4 tracks to Cool Edit and return all tracks to the MKII in one stereo track.

I then continue this process, adding more tracks to analog each time and mixing them digitally.

For keyboard tracks, I record directly into Cool Edit in the multitracking view.

OR

1. Is there a way to record directly into my computer? If so, do I have to get an adapter to balance my SM-57/58 into my soundcard? Or do I use a simple PC mic? Wouldn't this make my mics obsolete?

2. Can I record individual tracks (in time) in analog and then just transfer each track as an individual wav in Cool Edit? Can I easily sync up all of these individual tracks in time according to my foundation drum tracks?

If anyone can explain a normal analog to digital setup using an MKII (or any 4-track) and Cool Edit Pro, please do!!!

Thanks in advance!
 
To be honest with you I forgot the outputs on the 424, but I use a fostex 4 track, and you can record straight to drive.

You just need an RCA cable from stereo out to line in.
Hit record, throw your 4 track on input, and play.

It will record to the drive in real time.. if your in multitrack mode you can record over this for 64 tracks I think.

actually it doesnt make your mics obsolete.... it makes your 4track obsolete.
 
So let me get this straight...

...I have the guitar plugged into the Hot Rod, an SM-57 on the amp going to the 4-track, the 4-track plugged into the soundcard's line in, and I just play along with the drum track in Cool Edit's multi-track view while recording up to 63 more tracks?!?!?!? If this is so, a huge weight has been lifted off of me and thanks a million! I couldn't quite get my mind around using analog and digital together... Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
This is how I record.

If you want to eliminate the 4 track all together you can get some adapters to plug the mic directly into the sound card.... But I like my trusty 4 track, and cant bear to part with it entirely.
 
Same here...

I've been using my 4-track alone for the last 8 years. I only got my computer about 3 years ago and a friend of mine gave me Cool Edit Pro... I had no idea until recently what this thing could do! Imagine my shock. So now basically (thanks to your post) I'm using my 4-track as a mixer for all my mics and lines going into my PC. I've got some live drum tracks that were recorded on my 4-track, so I'm going to transfer them into a .wav, and then just use Cool Edit for the rest. I thought people were using those crappy PC mics to record all of this stuff. What was I thinking? Anyway, thanks for the help!
 
I've used my 425mkII into CEP many times.... In order to take full advantage, I suggest you pick up a 4 in/out audio card. You can find the Dman 2044 on ebay for as low as $60. Works like a charm. The biggest thing you want to keep in mind is track sync. If you don't have a 4 in/out card, you can't just dump tracks 1/2 in and dump track 3/4 on another pass. The tape transport wanders and your tracks will be out of sync. If you're just using the PC as a 2 track mixdown "deck" for mastering, you'll be ok. Send the line out of your MKII into the line in of your SB card. Don't use the mic in... those were designed for those .50 cheapo computer mics.

If you're damn patient, you can get around the synching issue by using a click track. I've done it, but it sucks. Here's how.

1) Record a click on track four.
2) Record your stuff on tracks 1-3.
3) Record tracks 1 & 4 as hard panned l/r tracks into CEP.
4) Record tracks 2 & 4 as hard panned l/r tracks into CEP.
5 Record tracks 3 & 4 as hard panned l/r tracks into CEP.

Now you have to manually go in and stretch/squeeze your tracks so that all of the "clicks" line up. Believe me, it sucks and takes forever, but it can work.

Probably the best option is to get a keeper drum track on your mkII and use the other 2 tracks as "basics" (guitar/bass/whatever). Then dump the tracks as hard panned l/r (drum/basics) into CEP. Then use your 424 as a mixer into your PC and record directly to your HD for the keeper non-drum tracks. Hope that helps.
 
Started my first recording session with the new setup...

...ok, so this is what I ended up doing...

I basically used my MK-II as an interface between my instruments and my PC. I'm partial to my soundcard and this setup seems to work really well. I have my Fender Hot Rod mic'd by an SM-57 and an SM-58 and I have them directed to tracks 1 and 2 of my 4-track. Track 3 is a spot for either my bass or acoustic/electric, and track 4 is a line from my keyboard. The good thing about always having these linked up is that I can pick any instrument up at any time and just flip the track on to record. So basically my 4-track is acting as a line mixer for my soundcard.

Last night I used some live drum tracks that I had previously recorded on my 4-track. I transfered the analog version into a .wav and used that as track 1 for the CEP session. I then went crazy adding tracks in the multi-track section. This way, all guitars are mic'd live, lines (such as bass and keyboard) are going directly into CEP, and I can edit each track individually. I was amazed at the results I got from it in only the first few hours!

Thanks for all the help people!
 
The Impossible

What I found difficult was...

On my MD8, I recorded 8 tracks of drums.....each track being a different piece of the set obviously. Then 1 track at a time, I put the tracks into CEP. It was most difficult trying to match up all the tracks especially when other mics bled into other parts of the drums, making it very noticable when they were even the slightest bit off. It took a very long time to get the decent, but they are yet to be perfect.

The MD8 is a perfect interface between my mics and the computer...there may be some compressed quality, however, no 'tape wow' or anything like that. I love the endless possibilities of CEP, but I am still skeptical about it overall (soundcard issues, upgrades, memory necessities, etc.). I think I would still prefer the Yamaha AW4416.....then, when it can't pull through, I could go back to CEP for touch-ups and stuff.
 
Guys, sell the multitracks and buy some clean mixers or preamps to go along with a good sound card and just record to your computer. Your recordings will thank you for it.
 
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