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No Name

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Everyone in here is talking about how CPU recording is better than the digital recording machines.Im thinking about buying a Fostex VF-160 16 TRACK Digital recorder w/ built in cd burner.It has 16 tracks,20Gb,and most importantly 8 mic inputs.I have a keyboard, bass guitar,drums,and 4 singers to record.This all cost $799. Could I get something for a lower price as far as recording thru my PC Or is what Iam getting for the price a good deal
 
Some people like hands on hardware.
The PC route is more flexable and allows for deeper editing and arrangement and a large assortment of handy tools unlike consumer level hardware.
The $$ will depend on what you choose as far as software, AD/DA converters and interface which can easily run you $500 upwards into the $1000's.
 
No Name said:
Everyone in here is talking about how CPU recording is better than the digital recording machines.
Click to expand...
I've never heard anyone generalize like that...... it depends entirely on your situation and your comfort level with computers.

Recording on PC can present more technical hurdles than a dedicated h/w unit might.
 
Without asking any questions and if your budget is just $800.00, I would suggest that you go the PC route.

But, of course..... we will need to know more about your specific recording needs.

spin
 
I will say this much
mixing on a pc or mastering SUCKS

I just don't get how yu can do that very well with a mouse
:shrugs:

but they are right
it's preference really
 
Buy a used analog tape recorder. Because the unit you named, fostex vf160, sucks.
 
One of the plusses on the PC side is simple upgradability... Of course there are many more variables than a dedicated unit, but on a PC you've got the pick of the crop from preamps, burners, speed, RAM, plugins, programs, etc. You can also start small and easily expand as your budget allows. With a dedicated unit, you're pretty much stuck with what you have until you can afford to replace it completely.

Just a thought.

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com
 
I have decided the computr route since everyone has told me pretty much NO on the digital recorder.I have purchased a E-MU 1820M master level recording studio.One thing I screwed up on was I forgot while I was ordering about I have 4 singersAnd we all sing at the same time.The problem is there are only 2 mic lines how can I get around this problem.It mentioned it has 6-1/4 balanced inputs . Can I hook up a mic thru this way.Here are the specs(SO YOU WANT SCREAM AT ME)
--I/O conf.
--2 tfpro mic/line/hi-z preamps(w 48v phantom power
--6-1/4 balanced inputs
--8-1/4 balanced outputs
--turntable input
--24 bit/96 khz coaxilS/PDIF in/out
--24 bit/192 khz adat in/out
--24 bit/96khz optcal s/dif out
-2 set of midi outs/ins
--4 stereo 1/8 speaker outs
--stereo headphones out
'--firewire interface

System features
32 bit e-dsp hardware effects acceleration
over 20 effects algorithems
plug in effects architecture
zero lattency mixing monitoring
intuitive drag and drop patch mix dsp patchbay/mix/effects
interface

package includes
Emu 1010pci card
Emu auto dock
creative pro software
quick start guide
windows driver
emu patchmix
emu e dsp effects library
audio software package
--

Sorry it took so long What else will I need to set my studio up with?
 
I assume you are using dynamic mikes when playing/recording and not condenser mikes. I also assume that the E-mu has switchable line levels for the 1/4 inch inputs. If this is true then you could get 2 XLR female to 1/4 inch male unbalanced adapters at radio shack and run those extra 2 mikes into them and switch the line levels on the E-Mu to -10.

If you are using condenser mikes or you want to keep all of your signals at +4 then you will need to get a mixer or 2 preamps with the appropriate in/outs.

I'm not sure if we got the whole story:

Are you recording live or overdub?
Do you have a mixer? What model?
Do you mike you guitar amps, bass amps, drums?
What keyboard do you use? Does it have balanced outputs? Most keyboards don't.
How do you monitor the playback?

Then I can tell you what else you need.
 
heres the dealio

I will be micing the drums and probably the guitar.The bass we usually run thru our Studiomaster 712 700 watt mixer.We will be overdubbing.The keyboard is a Ensonia KS 32.Not sure about the inputs on it but if I remember correctly it is a balanced line.I have not bought monitors yet,Is there anything around 150-200 dollars I could get off somebody.
 
mics iam using

Sorry I forgot Iam using Dynamic Cardiod performance mics
 
Your Studiomaster, how many busses does it have, in otherwords can you assign channels to a certain bus fader that controls signal to its own output? If it has 4 to 8 busses then your good to go.

If not then:
Is there a direct out for each channel?
Does it have a "B" mix?

It's easier if you have a mixer with 4 or 8 buses so you can route the input and playback signals separately during overdubbing.

Otherwise you will have to rig it so that the computer will mix internally and your Studiomaster mixer will be
"direct out/channel fader down"
or
"mix B knob up/channel fader down"
on the channel that you want to record while listening to and in sync with the already recorded material in the computer.

You can get a used pair of Yamaha NS-10's and a used 100W amp for your monitors. It's worth the little bit of extra money to be able to hear what you are recording. Make sure that you splice a fuse housing in the speaker wire so that you blow the fuse at high levels instead of damaging the monitor.

Good luck with your recordings and come back to let us know how it goes.
 
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