Just when I thought I had this sh**t figured out!!

[BeatDaddy]

Wassup Fellas!!

I've finally got the beginning components of my system up and I'll be damned if I'm not confused again.

I wanted to use my computer as the hard disk recorder, but it seems as though I would be better off with a regular HD recorder and download the finished product into the computer for mix down. The problem is I don't know how to route it all

What I would like yall to help me with is the best configuration of the following;

Hardware

Roland XP-50 keyboard
Delta 66 Soundcard with breakout box
Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro Mixer
Tannoy Reveals Monitors

Software

Vegas Video
Sound Forge 6.0
Cakewalk Pro

Also, any suggestions on a good HD Recorder around $500?

 

[dachay2tnr]

but it seems as though I would be better off with a regular HD recorder and download the finished product into the computer for mix down

And why is that?

 

[BeatDaddy]

And why is that?

Well it seems that it would be better to record each track through the mixer and onto a seprate recorder, then send it to Vegas to do the final mix down.

My problem is I'm not sure how to record the individual tracks into the computer without relying solely on the EQ and mixers in the software.

I think I am mixing up the difference between a mainly digital setup and a more traditional set up

 

[BeatDaddy]

Does the Delta have MIDI I/O? If it does, hook up your keys MIDI I/O to that. Now, run your audio outs from the keys to any TWO channel strips. Avoid the stereo inputs because you're gonna need more gain than they can provide.

No, it doesn't have a Midi I/O that I'm aware of, it has (4) 1/4" Ins & (4) 1/4" Outs in a breakout box, and S/PDIF I/O on the card itself.

You monitors can be run off either the main outs from the Mackie, the control room outs, or Alt 3/4., it's your choice. You'll probably find one way that you like best and doesn't need a lot of repatching.

Gotcha!!

Now, if your delta doesn't have MIDI I/O I would suggest a MIDIMAN MIDIsport USB I/O. This way you can track MIDI sequences. When you have your sequences all down and edited THEN you play back through your keys, and record the audio off the channel inserts that you have your keyboard plugged into.

I hope that the midisport is like the name suggest, USB, because I don't have a single PCI slot left. I definitely will check into it.

Oh, and why spend $500 on a crappy DAW when you've got a much better setup already?

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

Thanks C7!! This is a great start!

 

[cominginsecond]

And why is that?

Well it seems that it would be better to record each track through the mixer and onto a seprate recorder, then send it to Vegas to do the final mix down.

You realize, of course, that you didn't answer his question. He asked: Why do you feel it's better to record on a standalone HD recorder? You responded: Well, it seems that it's better.

So, I repeat dachay2tnr's question: Why is it better?

 

[BeatDaddy]

You realize, of course, that you didn't answer his question. He asked: Why do you feel it's better to record on a standalone HD recorder? You responded: Well, it seems that it's better.

So, I repeat dachay2tnr's question: Why is it better?

I guess the answer is that I haven't figured out how to record tracks separately using Vegas or Sound Forge. When I record using Cakewalk, it blends each track, instead of leaving them separate. I haven't been able to get the sound card to work with Vegas for recording.

So what I have been doing is recording the track in Cakewalk then exporting it to Vegas for EQ and final mixdown. I have emailed Vegas and am waiting for a response. So it seems that if I have to do athat it would be simpler to record it into a HD recorder.

Tell me where I'm going off!

 

[cominginsecond]

I guess the answer is that I haven't figured out how to record tracks separately using Vegas or Sound Forge. When I record using Cakewalk, it blends each track, instead of leaving them separate. I haven't been able to get the sound card to work with Vegas for recording.

So what I have been doing is recording the track in Cakewalk then exporting it to Vegas for EQ and final mixdown. I have emailed Vegas and am waiting for a response. So it seems that if I have to do athat it would be simpler to record it into a HD recorder.

Tell me where I'm going off!

You know, of course, that there is a way to record tracks and keep them separate, right? Otherwise, we'd all be using standalone HD recorders.

Anyway, I would check to see what channel on the soundcard you're using for the input on your tracks in Cakewalk. I have a Delta 44, which is a 66 without the S/PDIF i/o. You'll want to make sure that "Left M Audio Delta 66 1/2" is selected, if your signal is going into the first analog input.

Did that fix your problem? You may have selected one of the "Mon. Mixer" channels. This would cause the problem you described in Cakewalk.

 

[BeatDaddy]

I want to thank all of you for your help!!

I got an email from Delta and they gave me a solution that solved the problem. What it was as far as getting Vegas and Sound Forge to work witht the Delta card, was to set it as the default card (DUH!!) . Once I did that, I was able to use Vegas and record tracks separately. So I don't need a separate HD recorder afterall.