Computer Based Recording/Interface/Soundcard Help.

[Mjespo125]

Could someone point me in the direction of a Interface or Soundcard that will allow me to record 4-6 tracks simultaneously? I am currently recording to a lap top with Adobe Audition with a mixer that has 7 XLR inputs, when I record everything is summed up to one track. So could someone tell me what I'm missing?

 

[danny.guitar]

There's the M-Audio Delta 44 and Delta 66.

 

[Mjespo125]

And then to record from the mixer I have would I use cables to connect the outs on the mixer to the ins on the soundcard?

 

[knightfly]

Nope, the mixer's main outputs won't let you have individual track outputs unless it's an 8-bus mixer, and I've never seen an 8-bus mixer with only 7 inputs; usually more like 24, 32 or more.

If your mixer has "insert" points next to each XLR input, it's a fairly safe bet that you can patch out of those points and into a multi-input sound card (1 insert point per sound card input) and get separate tracks into your 'puter that way - one way to do this is get some adapters from Radio Shack - they offer one that looks like a 1/4" stereo male but ends up in a single RCA female on the other end - plugging this into your insert points will "tap off" the signal from each channel and let you run cables from there into your sound card... Steve

 

[Treeline]

If you're limited to a laptop, an ordinary soundcard won't help much. I have a Delta 66 and it works very well for me. But for a laptop, look around for a firewire mixer. That will allow you a direct line in for each channel recorded, usually after the preamp and before anything else. For instance:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MACONYX1620

You add $400 to this for a firewire interface card. Ain't exactly cheap but it works and the preamps are far better than the competition in the same price range.

You can download the Mackie manuals from the main site and they have a great deal of info.

Ironically, a Delta card and a new computer might cost you about the same...