Layer tracking???

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anugroove

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Hi,
Im new to recording with digital multi track recorders like portastudios and workstations, and I just want to know if you can layer tracks with these. What I mean is record a drum track, then the bass line, rythumn guitar, lead guitar, and vocals? All by layering them one on top of the other. I just need to layer a bass line over a beat, and then a melody over that, and the vocals. I was thinking one of the 8 tracks off of eBay ~$150 shipped. Years ago, I had a band, and we tried to record using two old 2 track recorders, recording on one that had built in mic pres, and then switch the tape to another, playing that one, feeding the first track into the one with mic pres, and recording the next track on top of the first one, If you can follow that.
Anyway, I just want to know if the portastudios can layer tracks.
Thanks
Chris
 
anugroove said:
Hi,
Im new to recording with digital multi track recorders like portastudios and workstations, and I just want to know if you can layer tracks with these. What I mean is record a drum track, then the bass line, rythumn guitar, lead guitar, and vocals? All by layering them one on top of the other. I just need to layer a bass line over a beat, and then a melody over that, and the vocals. I was thinking one of the 8 tracks off of eBay ~$150 shipped. Years ago, I had a band, and we tried to record using two old 2 track recorders, recording on one that had built in mic pres, and then switch the tape to another, playing that one, feeding the first track into the one with mic pres, and recording the next track on top of the first one, If you can follow that.
Anyway, I just want to know if the portastudios can layer tracks.
Thanks
Chris
The technique you're describing is called "bouncing" or "ping-ponging." With a multitrack unit, there's no need to do that unless you plan to record way more tracks than the unit can handle. Keeping the instruments on seperate tracks allows you to have much more control over the sound when you mix it down to the final stereo (or in some cases mono) track.
 
My tascam dp-01 cost about 300 bucks new. It can record up to 8 tracks. Then I can bounce thoose tracks down to just one track (so techincally I could record up to 64 tracks).

Generally what I do is record 6 tracks and then bounce thoose down to 2 stero tracks then I can record 4 more and bounce thoose down to 2 stero tracks. So 4 tracks on on my dp-01 will actually have 10 tracks on them, and I have 4 left.

I'm never needed more than 14 tracks on anything I've recorded.

If you decide to get a used 8 track off of ebay, make sure it comes with the intruction manual. I bought one off ebay that didn't and holy crap was I confused.
 
JazzMasterWil said:
My tascam dp-01 cost about 300 bucks new. It can record up to 8 tracks. Then I can bounce thoose tracks down to just one track (so techincally I could record up to 64 tracks).

Generally what I do is record 6 tracks and then bounce thoose down to 2 stero tracks then I can record 4 more and bounce thoose down to 2 stero tracks. So 4 tracks on on my dp-01 will actually have 10 tracks on them, and I have 4 left.

This is incredibly efficient...way to get the most outta what ya got!

Jacob
 
well how do i bounce, will that be in the instructions, these machines are capable of this right.
Chris
 
anugroove said:
well how do i bounce, will that be in the instructions, these machines are capable of this right.
Chris
Yes, the manual should tell you how to bounce. You'll have a lot of fun! I remember when I got my first 4-track (a Tascam Porta-One). I had to tear myself away from it.
 
JazzMasterWil said:
so techincally I could record up to 64 tracks

Hi

You can just keep going, you don't need to stop at 64. Following this method does allow you more tracks but you should be aware of the issues it causes:

In analog each bounce adds noise and the signal of a track added early in a series of bounces will seriously degrade in quality. In the digital domain the problem is more less non-existant

The big problem is the subsequent lack of control of the bounced tracks later in the recording process. What if you need to EQ just on track that was composited with others in a bounce? You can't do it. What if you need to boost or cut the volume of one of those tracks during final mix? You can't without affecting all the other tracks involved in the bounce.

The mixdown stage is key to a successful recording. Sometimes bouncing just has to happen, but if you can, avoid it. With the digital domain you have a lot of options. If you are using midi instruments, pull them together using a small mixer into a stereo input pair. If you have a PC (duh!) then why not export tracks to your PC, and play them back together using Wavelab. Use Midi to send a sync signal to your PC. This keeps the tracks fully editable, but keeps your recorder as your main platform.

Cheers

John
 
well, here is my deal, we(me, my cousin and his friend) are recording rap songs. and me and heath, make the bass lines and beats and the melodies, he writes most lyrics and raps, i write some to, but not great at rap songs, although not half bad at rock! but anyway, my cousin is no good at music, so its only me and heath doin stuff, and we need to atleast bounce once or twice, for vocals, and melody.
Chris
 
I have found reel to reel recorders on ebay for around $50 or less shipped, but they are record only, as in straight in, straight out, theres no real controls or a way to bounce, how would I bounce tracks with a reel to reel recorder.
\THanks
 
Just record to computer so track count isn't an issue. Bouncing tracks limits your ability to change anything later.
 
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