capturing multiple channels on computer...

  • Thread starter Thread starter randyrhoads
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randyrhoads

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i need to be able to capture several tracks simultaneoulsy on my comp,
whats the best way to do this?

i am leaning towards the event ezbus, and adding the ez8 pci card...
( which means i can capture up to 8 at once )

so far i have no equipment at all.... ( i got an axe, a guitar amp, and a comp... )

this whole recording stuff is quite new to me... but i can hold my own with computers ;)

don't wanna spend too much... not a huge choice here in aus...

thanx.
 
Hey, what do you know, I'm just getting started with this too. I'll keep up to date with your thread and give you any info that I get that isn't on yours. I'm at the same position you are. I have the bass, the guitar, the amps, and the computer;)
 
What is "several simultaneous tracks"? 2, 4, 6, 8?

You will need a soundcard with an equivalent number of inputs. For ex., the Delta 1010 allows for 8 inputs at the same time. I believe Echo and Aardvark have equivalent products as well. The Delta is going to run you about $500-$600.

If you can live with less, the Delta 44 has 4 inputs (I think) and is of course less money.

In addition to this, what will your inputs consist of? If they are all mic's, you will need pre-amps as well. 8 inputs from 8 mic's will require 8 pre-amps. Generally the best way to do this is to get a mixer. You'll get the most bang for the buck that way. Maybe look at a Mackie. You can probably get a Mackie mixer with around 14 -16 channels for $700-$800.

Of course you will also need mic's as well (if this is what you're doing). Shure SM57's are pretty good for micing instruments. for vocals you'll want a decent LD condenser mic. Acoustic instruments might need a SD conderser.

Let us know a little more about what you're trying to do, and we can probably offer better advice.
 
ok thanks for the quick replies...

i woulkd be capturing up to 8 channels at once...

i will need a fair variety of mic's but i got that figured out, looking to record electric and acoustic guitars, elec. bass, keyboards, and i'll give vocals a shot too ;)

yeah i was afraid that getting a sound card with multiple inputs would mean i still gotta get a mixer. thats why i liked the look of the 'event ezbus' it's usb and can double as a control interface for cakewalk/cubase etc.
then there is a specific pci to go with it the 'ez8 optical audio interface' or something like that... which means you can capture up to 8 tracks at once :)

no doubt i'll keep adding to my gear, but i wanna start recording a few things VERY SOON, even if it's just DI before i get some mic's.

i'm not after a pro quality studio, i just need to get some of my idea's down, lay some backing tracks, maybe make a demo, etc.

i've gotten my head around most of this stuff it's just the final step of actually hooking everything to my comp for more then one track.

keep the advice coming,

cheers,
randy.
 
Check the C-Port...about 450 bucks 10 channels at once...you will nee a pre-amp also.

M-Port about 800 bucks the same as the C- Port, but you won't nee the pre-amp. It has built in pre amps.


fins out at zzounds.com
 
Here's a totally different way to approach this problem. What if you could get a standalone multitracker with 8 mic preamps (2 with XLR&Phantom, 6 with 1/4" jacks) and a soundcard that would enable you to send the signals from multitracker's input directly to computer for simultaneous 8 track recording. And all this for $1000 (in US that is). Sounds too good, doesn't?

Nope. Get a Fostex VF160 and a Terratec EWS88D and you can do all this and much more. Just think about all the possibilities. You can take the multitracker easily with you to record away from your computer and transfer tracks between the computer and the multitracker when needed and you wouldn't have to worry about the computer crasching in the middle of a take. And if you need to record more than 8 tracks at once you can get an external AD converter or digital mixer to record up to 16 tracks at once.
 
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