How to 'go' from 4 Tracks on a Multitrack to Stereo

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uber_pirox

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Hey there,

I'm new to this forum and wasn't sure where to make this thread so i thought it is partly related to analog anyway,

I was just wonderign how one would go about 'going(can't think of appropraite word heh)' from 4 RCA outputs on a Multitrack (such as my Tascam 34B :D) to what usally is two RCA connectors or XLR.

I have seen a Tascam LA-40 which supports different impedances, has 4 RCA ins and outs and 4 XLR ins and outs but this wouldn't really help 'go down' to Stereo.

Sorry if this is a really stupid question or is simply answered by some sort of cable or something hehe, i tried googling and searching this forum but nothing came up.

All help is welcomed :)

William
 
uber_pirox said:
Hey there,

I'm new to this forum and wasn't sure where to make this thread so i thought it is partly related to analog anyway,

I was just wonderign how one would go about 'going(can't think of appropraite word heh)' from 4 RCA outputs on a Multitrack (such as my Tascam 34B :D) to what usally is two RCA connectors or XLR.

I have seen a Tascam LA-40 which supports different impedances, has 4 RCA ins and outs and 4 XLR ins and outs but this wouldn't really help 'go down' to Stereo.

Sorry if this is a really stupid question or is simply answered by some sort of cable or something hehe, i tried googling and searching this forum but nothing came up.

All help is welcomed :)

William
Click to expand...

Normally you'd use a mixer. If you don't have a mixer and don't want to get one, you may be able to find a little box TEAC used to make on ebay. I have one, it goes from 4 to two and has left and right hard panning switches for each track.
 
I thought of this , however, would a mixer not already be used to record the four tracks in the first place?

E.G. a four bus mixer with the outs of the four buses going to the 4 inputs of the Multitrack ?

Or would this not work?
 
Oh, of course. I thought you already had the 4 track without a mixer. Some 4 tracks have mic inputs so you don't technically need a mixer to record. All mixers have a stereo output as well as any channel or buss outputs.

I'm not sure if I'm confused by the question. Let me know.
 
:D This is true on my multritack , 4 1/4" Mic inputs with a 0db / 20db Mic attuenment setting, however this would generally mean only 1 microphone per track would it not, or would this depend on the outs of the mixer,

I was thinking of say using track 1 for bass, track 2 drums , track 3 guitar, Track 4 Vocals or for overdubs,

Basically -

Would i need a mixer first to 'get' all of the microphones to the inputs of the multitrack, and then another mixer to go from the 4 outputs to stereo ?

And also, do (most) mixers have single RCA outputs for each bus ? and also single RCA inputs for each bus to go from the output of the 4 tracks of the multitrack to the stereo rca or xlr outs ?

This is getting quite confusing :p
 
Let me ask you a question uber_pirox...You want to record on the 34b...but you want to keep all the tracks seperate to dump into a Compter for mixing and editing? Is that what youre after? That way you dont have to mix it before going to the computer so you can mix it on the computer/editing software???
 
You need a mixer to do what you want with that machine.

Most mixers will have 1/4 or xlr inputs and outputs, but you can buy cables that are 1/4 on one side and rca on the other. (same for xlr to rca)
 
if i understand correctly, sounds like a four channel mixer is what you need. you could put four mics on a drumset, run them through the mixer and into one or two of the tracks on your recorder. you could then add your guitar bass and vocal tracks to the other three tracks (you could use the mixer or not, since you have mic inputs on your 34) When you're done recording, just plug each track's output from the recorder into each channel on the mixer, adjust the volume and EQ, and go from the mixer's stereo output into your computer or tape deck. a four channel mixer can be found pretty cheap. If you want to avoid having to unplug everything when it's time to mix down, then get an 8 channel mixer, but that might not be neccissary for what you're doing. you don't need two mixers either. just be willing to unplug and re-plug. :)
 
MartyMcFly said:
Let me ask you a question uber_pirox...You want to record on the 34b...but you want to keep all the tracks seperate to dump into a Compter for mixing and editing? Is that what youre after? That way you dont have to mix it before going to the computer so you can mix it on the computer/editing software???
Click to expand...

MArty this isn't eactly what i was tyring to find out but, if i wanted to do this, which could be useful, what would have to be done?

Thanks for your time :)

and ding dong -

but that way you would have to rearrange your mics for each instrument part *Edit - just read the last line of your post heh* and have to play everything serpeate , i had something like a 12 or 16 track 4 bus mixer in mind so i could (eventually when i have the equipment) record live / all the parts together just because i think it would 'line up' better that way, and its easier to do everything in one go than to fiddle aobut with timings and such later on, downside is leakage of sound into other mics ,

around 8 tracks for drum mics , a single track for bass , another single track for guitar, which leaves a vocal track and then a spare track for overdubs

And i realised that after i posted, i was thinking of having a mixer going into the recorder and another mixer going out simultaneously(sp) xD So i would only need a single mixer haha,

Also when recording from tracks on the mixer to the recorder, seeing as there would be a stereo out which would require two rcas would that mean i would have to use two tracks on the recorder?(As there is a single rca connector for each track on the recorder)

Is there not some sort of cable to go from a 'Double RCA' to a Single Rca, or is there some way of going from a stereo (two rca) out to a mono (single rca) in? Just to preserve precious tracks on the recorder itself , 1 track drums , 1 bass , 1 guitar , 1 vocals (sorry if i've repeated myself lol)

Would plugging one of the RCA jacks of a double RCA cable produce the same effect or would this mean audio in only the left / right side?

Thanks for all the help so far guys :)
 
Farview said:
You need a mixer to do what you want with that machine.

Most mixers will have 1/4 or xlr inputs and outputs, but you can buy cables that are 1/4 on one side and rca on the other. (same for xlr to rca)
Click to expand...

Woops nearly missed you out there Farview :)

A Single xlr cable would be mono, or am i wrong?

Sorry if some of these answers are incredibly basic, am just learning heh, your probably thinking why i have a Reel to Reel without knowing this stuff , but my dad was an Audio Engineer and so i have access to a lot of his gear and am just learning as much as possible from an early age, am taking Music Tech in college next year :D
 
uber_pirox said:
Also when recording from tracks on the mixer to the recorder, seeing as there would be a stereo out which would require two rcas would that mean i would have to use two tracks on the recorder?(As there is a single rca connector for each track on the recorder)
Click to expand...

not neccisarily, you could just use a single RCA cable to go into your recorder. just use either the right or left output on the mixer and go into whatever track you want to record to. If you're going to the trouble of putting up to 8 mics on the drums, you might as well record onto two tracks, that way you can get a stereo image. and you'll need a bigger mixer ;)

[/QUOTE]
Would plugging one of the RCA jacks of a double RCA cable produce the same effect or would this mean audio in only the left / right side?

[/QUOTE]

It would be a mono signal. So if you do a big Lars Ulrich drum fill on the toms, you won't hear it go from one side of your headhones to the other. But it won't be stuck all the way right or left either. When you mix down, you can pan that mono drum track to the middle, or wherever you want.

you should tell about the actual peice of equipment you are mixing down to. a tape deck? a computer sound card?
 
Heh thanks for that it makes it a whole lot clearer , aobut the mono and stuff

Yeah it would be a Computer a sound card atm, going from the stereo RCA out of the mixer to the 6.3mm line in on the sound card, which then goes onto a CDR to distribute to friends heh, try distributing 10.5 inch reels :p

i was just looking up today a CDR master recorder by Tascam in the far future when i actually have money to invest in , DSD looks pretty slick but then i realised thats only on SACD's and such

Heres the link if you want more info :

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/4989

(google didn't want to work at the time so i just pasted the link from dolphin music form earlier today)

P.S. when you say use a single RCA cable in either the Left or the Right output, would that give the same mono signal as you described when using a double RCA cable ?

and P.S.S (or P.P.S lol)

Would each bus on a mixing desk have its own RCA or XLR or 1/4" or some sort of output to go straight to the individual tracks of the recorder?

Cheers
William
 
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