computer interface v. four track

  • Thread starter Thread starter LI Slim
  • Start date Start date
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Could I just plug the minidisk multitracker into my computer? Or is there some sort of adapter for the minidisk? My PC has a CD-RW built in so I don't need a stand-alone burner, I don't think.

I'm not afraid (yet) of learning to mix on the computer but portability might be a good idea.
 
Slim,
You can connect any multitracker you choose to your PC. Its usually done through the sound card. Be sure your sound card has the same type of inputs as your multitrackers outputs. Some are analog, some are digital, some have both. I never even thought of Nilbogs idea of transferring data to the pc via cd! Very creative Nilbog.
The point is, there are enough options to give you many sleepless nights before decide on one. Believe me!
Study this site for a while, and you should be able to get plenty of info to help you make a decision.

Twist
 
Standalone units

Transferring is tedious, in my experience. It's much easier to just record directly to the PC and avoid an extra trip through converters. Unless you really need to be portable or you find a killer deal, I'd suggest avoiding 'em.
 
Well, the point of having a standalone AND a burner in your computer is to bypass the soundcard.
I looked into it and I would have had to spend mega $$$ to get a good sound through my soundcard, and since my studio is in a different part of the house, a standalone deck was the only option.
So you will still have to end up buying a new sound card, and you'll spend more for one that will get as good of a sound as a directly burned CD. Believe me, I've tried both.

Mixing down to your computer directly would be nice, though, if the MD8 had digital outs. Unfortunatly it doesnt. (Although there a some benefits of analog tranfer).

Keep in mind that your recording is like a chain, and it will only be as good as the weakest link (soundcard tranfer).

-Nilbog
 
Huh?

Nilbog, have you checked the prices on fairly good 4 in/out soundcards lately? I have a Fostex DMT-8 that records at 16/48. My Gadget card's converters whoop it's butt.
 
maybe it's just my computer...but I've never been able to get a really good sound out of (or into) my soundcard.
-nilbog
 
learning what I already thought

Well, after all the above and some additional research, I'm pretty close to getting the Aardvark Direct Pro, or maybe the Echo Mona. The testing-type people rate these as excellent excellent excellent. Some of you and others who are pros or otherwise knowledgable suggest separate preamps, mixers, etc., but it appears that these all in one-type products really work, at a pretty high level. As a recording neophyte, it makes sense to me that as long as you have a good mic, an integrated tool that boosts the signal, converts it and sends a lot of 00000000000000000s and 1111111111111s into the file, it should work. I'll find out soon enough. Thanks again.
 
LI Slim,

I have another suggestion for you. You could look into the new interface options that have surfaced in the last few months. These are mixer/audio interfaces and they allow you to record your music into your computer AND have a mixer that can work with your recording software.

Check out the Tascam US-428 or the Event EZ-Bus.

http://www.tascam.com

http://www.event1.com

Trak
 
Trak-

I have ordered the Aardvark Direct Pro. It does come with a complete mixer in the form of the software that controls the levels, compression, etc. while one is recording. Are you talking about something else?
 
4-track or computer

roland makes a great 8 track digital recorder/studio that goes for about 900 bucks.it records on a 250 mb zip disc and has a digital out.it is portable has a bunch of built in toys and delivers great quality sound.if you dont have a zip drive you could use the digital out to go into your computer to convert to mp3.i think it would be a good investment.when you want to go over to (someday)the drummers house to record you don't have to drag your computer along and when it comes time to mix down you won't have to listen to the drummer tell you how it should sound (not to piss off any drummers but some of us like to hear the vocals).under a thousand and the better of both worlds.this 8-track offers 64 tracks to record on but only plays back 8 at a time.so going into a computer you could record all 64 tracks download 8 at a time and mix to mp3 or cd from there.the 250 mb disc holds about 3 hours of music and you can change the disc out easly so with a couple o disc (about $25 each and reusable forever compared to tape it's cheep)you can easly record a song or a jam session.well i didn't mean to ramble so there is my 2 cents worth.(inflation)
 
LI Slim said:
Trak-

I have ordered the Aardvark Direct Pro. It does come with a complete mixer in the form of the software that controls the levels, compression, etc. while one is recording. Are you talking about something else?
Click to expand...

Yes I'm talkin about a hardware mixer with real knobs and faders that can control your recording software.

Trak.

http://www.event1.com
 
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