Can I record to com hrd drv but final mix thru outboard mixer?

[Seeker of Rock]

I've been in analog for a few years now and am considering taking the digital step. Have a PC. I hate the thought of having to click and drag one fader at a time during final mix. I want to be able to have physical control from outboard faders but use my computer hard drive to record the information. Once I send the analog signals (tracks) I'm recording into a soundcard recorded to the hard drive, can I run all of those individual tracks back out to my board for physical mixing? My first guess is I will need a soundcard with as many outputs as there are tracks since it is going back to analog. Or am I completely out in left field?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

My first guess is I will need a soundcard with as many outputs as there are tracks since it is going back to analog.

That's exactly what you need to do... something like one of the MOTUs will give you multiple INs/OUTs......

I pretty much operate the same way except I use an HD24 instead of a computer for tracking and mix it thru an analog console......

 

[Seeker of Rock]

I thought about that option too. I'm guessing hard disk recorders don't crash like computers tend to do...straightforward purpose, straightforward result. I may look into that route as well, though I don't foresee getting that deep into it right now. I'm stepping up from a 488 MkII , which I do love still, but 8 tracks is starting to get a little tight and cassette vs. hard disk is...well, you know. Any opinions on the Alesis or Fostex HD? BTW, went to your website earlier and loved it! Absolutely beautiful studio. I popped by for just about 10 minutes to look around during that 'list your rack gear' thread. May pop back over to see if you have some sound clips to check out. I'm excited to hear your product.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The Alesis is an excellent unit... great sound - very reliable.... but I really don't know much about the Fostex unit to give you any useful comparison... sorry!

Thanks for the kind comments on the studio -- I sure love working in it! There are clips at the site if you want to check them out -- just click on the CLIPS menu item in the NAV bar at the left.

 

[Bulls Hit]

If you decide to go the PC route, a couple of Delta 1010Lt soundcards sync'd together would give you 16 tracks back out to your mixer.

The 2 cards would cost you $440 which compares pretty favourably with any other 16 track solution

 

[LemonTree]

That's the route I went. I bought a Delta 1010 and two Delta 410s giving me 12in/24out. I never actualy use the inputs on the 410s but streaming 24 tracks back through the desk is a godsend to me. Not to mention the flexability of editing you have once it's recorded to the hard drive.....something you won't get with a stand alone HDR