Help with recording system

[ari]

Hello,

I'm trying to setup a small recording studio.
I want to be able to record at least 8 tracks simultaneously.

I need guidance on the various options: hard disk vs. digital tape (ADAT), etc.
Do I need a mixing console?

I'm afraid this is only the beginning of the questions

Thanks in advance,

Ari Constancio (ari.constancio@netc.pt)

 

[dachay2tnr]

If you choose to go the Computer Hard Disk route, you will need a sound card capable of 8 inputs - some choices are the M-Audio Delta 1010 or the GadgetLabs 8/24, although there are also several others. You will not NEED to have a mixer, but you WILL need pre-amps (to boost the mic signal to line level which is required for input into the sound card). Most people go the mixer route because they have the preamps built into them and give you a lot of other capabilities. Mackie is a good choice for this.

Other things (besides the obvious computer) you will probably need/want are monitor speakers, headphones, software (e.g. Cakewalk, Cubase, Vegas Pro, etc.) - plus mics and a lot of cables.

Some of your choices on equipment (sound card, software) will be dependant on whether you plan on doing any Midi work, or whether everything will simply be mic'ed.

I'll let others speak to ADAT, or standalone Hard Disk recorders, as I am not familiar with the requirements.

One word of caution about recording 8 tracks simutaneously - assuming you are mic'ing everything and depending on your room setup, you are very likely going to get "bleed" between your tracks. This will make later editing of the material somewhat of a problem.