How do virtual tracks work?

[C-1st]

What is a virtual track? I assume it is a track that is

stored in the 788's ram and must be mixed into one of the 8 tracks. How difficult is the process of mixing the virtual tracks?

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo C-1 = not plastic explosive?

I'll give you a very simple answer about virtual tracks.

If you have an16 track Yam digital recorder, each of the 16 tracks you record has the potential of doing 8 more tracks. [I know you guys will correct me if I err or goof.]

So, let's say your vocalist records on track 2. She/he likes it but wants to do it again without erasing the original cut. So, you punch in the first virtual track and the vocalist does it again. The vocalist can do it six more times and then select the cut he/she likes the best.

It's kind of like having an 8 track recorder for each track on your DAW or recording box that is digital.

I'm sure someone can make it more succinct but, simply, that's what virtual tracks are.

Green Hornet

 

[mikeh]

In addition, most digital recorders let you cut and paist from the virtual tracks. Meaning - if the vocalist laid down the vocal part 8 times (on the 8 virtual tracks of track 2) you could cut the 1st verse from take 1, the chorus from take 2, the bridge from take 3, etc) and "compile them as the "master" on track 2.

Another use of the phase "virtual tracks" could refer to MIDI controlled tracks. As an example, if you sync a multi track to a drum machine and have the drum machine play "with the" multi track (without actually recording the drum sounds) - this would also be considered "virtual tracks". In the days before there were limitless digital tracks available, we use to delay "tracking drums" until last to preserve tracks. In fact it was common to record the drums drirect to the 2 track mix as a "virtual track".

However, history lesson aside - I think the definition you are looking for is what Green Hornet explained.