I need a "tracks" primer

[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 track 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. Since I will be doing live recording I would want to do just one take and still have the ability to edit each instrument or grouping of instruments individually.

Maybe someone can educate me on the procedure for track editing of a live performance and suggest a unit that fills my needs. As always, cheapness is goodness.

Thanks!

Rudy2

 

[radiorickm]

an answer

i have owned a Mr-8 for a year now.

if you will check out the other recorders in that price range, you will see they all have basically 2 track simul record.

You have to spend some big $$$ in the SIB world to get to 8 track simul record.

the deal with the MR-8 (and probably the others, i cant speak for them) is that you can lay down one track, or two tracks, (either stereo or dual mono). Then you can listen to those two tracks, and put down two more.

Then, because were are digital, you can bounce your tracks with virtually no "generation" losses.

The things aren't really designed to record whole bands at once, ('less you just want a stereo recording). But for the one man bands, and small studios that record one or two things at a time, they are great.

And limiting the 2-track simul record keeps the price where us "little" guys can afford some really great technology

 

[radiorickm]

a 2nd answer

i though maybe i would go in to more detail and try and help you.

When i begin recording, i first come up with a plan on what i want to do.

I begin by recording my drum tracks onto tracks 7/8. This is kind of tricky, since you must know exactly how long the song is. (i just usually play my acoustic guitar so i know where the breaks go and how long the song is.)

Then i go back and while listening to 7/8 i record my guitar in stereo onto track 5/6.

Then, while listening to 5,6,7,&8, i record my bass track.

then i listen to all 5 track and put on my lead vocal usually on track 4.

I then put a lead guitar part on track 3, piano synth on 2, and a back-up vocal on track 1.

as you may notice, i din't bounce anything here.

there are a thouand ways to do this. this is just my example of one song.

nothing is written in stone and you just learn by expirementing and doing it.

good luck

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

In case you're interested, the cheapest SIAB (that I'm aware of) with more than 2 track simultaneous recording is the Zoom MRS 1266 which allows you to record 6 at a time.

There is a newer version of this unit which has just been released (the 1608)and on which you can record 8 tracks simultaneously but it's a fair bit more expensive.

Because there's a newer unit available the 1266 should be going relatively cheap now.