Got a couple of q's....

[Mip]

Well, i've decided against going for the all out computer recording method, and i'm probably going for the more affordable TASCAM 424mkIII four-track. I've got some questions about it:

1. Can this thing bounce tracks? If so, could I do this - bounce 4 tracks to no.1, then the remaining 3 to no.2, then the remaining 2 to no.3, then record to 4, giving me 10 recorded parts, if you follow me?

2. Does this sound like a good idea- record to the tape in the 4-track, then copy it onto my computer, edit it, copy it to CD from there? If so, is Soundblaster Live a good card to use? What is some good cheap software to use for this?

Thanks!

 

[regebro]

Yes, it can bounce tracks, but can't bounce from the track you are recording too, so you can only bounce three tracks to the fourth (but you can probably add at least one more instrument while bouncing). Otherwise the plan is sound.

I record to tape and the mix down to a computer, using the PC as a "mastering device". I use a Soundblaster Live for this, that will surely do fine for you.

 

[jet-rocker]

hey.
I did the whole record to the tascam, out to the computer for years. No complaints really, I was able to get relatively high quality recordings and burn them to cd.
You just need a 16 bit full-duplex soundcard, most soundblasters work)

I was lucky though I have an old hacked version of wavelab.
I don't know. I know there was a program bundled with the my old Awe 64 that would do the trick. Wave studio I think.

Although these days for a similar price you could get something like Tascam's usb controller thing for about 450 and n-track for $50. Anyway, good luck.

-jet-rocker

 

[virtual.ray]

Why not go one or two steps further? Record your 4 tracks,mix 'em to a cd/Minidisc,plug it back in to the 4 track and play along while recording it all to 2 tracks (on a different piece of tape),then record 2 more tracks on the 2 open tracks on the 4 track,mix and record to CD/Minidisc.Primitive but effective.

 

[kristian]

4 tracks are good, i used them for a while. but if you are planning on buying the 424 new, then i dont think that is agood idea. for that money you can get a used 488. 4 more tracks, no more bouncing. you could get a gadgetlans 424 i think thats what its called 4 channels in simultaneously. tahts half the price of the 424 new. and a lot more flexible. i am an exponent of analog, and casette based systems are as easy to use as a door handle. so it all depends.