How do tracks work?

[Rudy2]

Howdy all,

I am confused about "tracks" as pertaining to digital recording devices. I thought the advantage of multi-track recording was that it allowed separating the various voices so that individual editing could be done later. In the case of an older Sony MDM-X4 minidisc recorder, it appears that four inputs exist so that, say, you could simultaneously and independently record a violin, guitar, accordion, and bass for example. This I assumed would allow post-recording editing of each individual instrument or track.

When I checked out the new Fostex MR-8 digital recorder it seems to have only one input, or two for stereo. Yet it is called an eight track recorder. It appears as if it is limited to recording just one input source, such as a signal from a mixer board. Where is the utility in that? If I wanted to edit just the violin or bass part wouldn't I have to record the same song several times and dedicate a new track to each instrument?

Maybe some one can illustrate how tracks are used. I would rather do just one take and still have the ability to edit each instrument individually.

Thanks!

Rudy2

 

[notbradsohner]

a "track" is basically just a channel that auido can be recorded on speratley. If you want to record multiple things at the same time on seperate "tracks", you need simoultaneous tracks. the fostex mr-8 offers 8 tracks, but only two can be recorded at the same time.

ps. if you are looking for a used mr-8, i have one for sale. pm me or notbradsohner AT yahoo.com

 

[wheelema]

Notbradsohner is, pardon the pun, right on track. There are a number of ways to get multiple tracks into a computer, depending on your budget and pain threshold. For example, my gold channel setup would be....

Mic ---> FMR RNP (x4) ---> FMR RNC (x8) ---> Kurzweil KSP-8 ---> Computer

The KSP-8 does double duty as an effects processor and a converter. You would need the KSP-8 mLan/firewire option to route the signal to the computer. Note that the KSP-8 maxes out at 48 bit conversion. The cost here, sans computer, monitors, microphones, and whatnot is pushing $8K. God willing, maybe by Christmas.

Not too damn LIKELY, but maybe.....

 

[Songwriter333]

You're on the right track (pun):
To my knowledge, a multi-tracker has various purposes (like archive media), a couple are: #1 (already covered, and the most common) To be able capture separate individual tracks of the same instrument/vox or different instruments/vox, and to have the ability to edit each individual track in post-production or replace any track with a new track, and #2, to be able to record, simutaneously, multiple instruments/vox unto individual tracks.
It is purpose #2 that helps bring to relavence the recording in stereo. If we are to record in stereo and have the fullest and most adaptable sound to work with in post production, then 2 tracks are occupied by one instrument/vox, so if the multi-tracker is limited to only two simutaneous tracks at a time while the record button is on, then you can not take advantage of purpose #2 without losing stereo.
One can still output your instruments/vox to a mixer, than output all channels from mixer to input 1 and input 2 of multi-tracker, but it is at that point that you lose the ability to edit individual tracks. Hope that explains it a little as well.