Mastering 4 track to PC

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ian292

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I have been recording to 4 track for years and mastering to tape. This, of course, sucks.
Today I mastered to the Recorder that came with my Soundblaster Live. I'm so proud of myself ;)
2 problems that hopefully someone can help me with:
1. Output level on recorded .wav file is a bit low.
2. I wound up with a totally unmanageable .wav file!

So how do I fix the output level, and how do I convert to a file type and size that I can e-mail around, copy to CD, etc.

P.S. I have no money, so the solution should cost under $50, let's say. Or preferably nothing.

THANKS!!
 
Well to help the output level problem, you can find a number of programs like sound forge, cool edit, or anything like it that has a "normalize" feature which will bring your .wav to a much higher volume.( www.hitsquad.com/smm has a lot of demos) And as for the size of the file, just look on that same site for mp3 enocders this will make the file about 1/10 the size without too much degredation in sound quality.

hope this helped

Simon
 
.wav files are really big, live with it:)

MP3 is great for e-mailing tunes etc but if you want to put your mixes on a CD for listening in a regular CD player, you have to keep the .wav format.

However, the SB value records (you cannot change it) at 16bit 48kHz, which isn't the standard CD format. So, you need to convert the recorded .wav to 16bit 44.1kHz in order to listen to them on a CD player. Music SW usually has the option to convert .wav files to other formats. What you want in the end are 16bit 44.1kHz stereo .wav files and burn them onto CD. Make sure that they're stereo files. When you record, you usually record mono .wav to get separate tracks and when you're done, you mix down to a single stereo .wav.

Sorry, I'm too confusing today. Logging out.

/Ola
 
Another option vs normalization is to increase the volume under the process >> volume header. A bit trickier (because you have to do it without clipping) but I prefer it to normalization.

good luck

zip >>
 
If you don't have a program that has NORNALIZATION, then you will have to adjust YOUR volume levels.

(right-click the speaker icon on your task bar)/Open Volume Controls/(adjust your volumes)/Options/Properties/Recording/OK/(adjust your volumes).

Hopefully, that might provide some assistance. :)
 
Good point Spin...I was assuming they had an editor program like SoundForge.....doh!

zip >>
 
thanks for all the input

I tried the demo of soundforge, and the volume increaser worked like a charm.

I haven't paid for the full version yet, because I can't figure out what all people use it for...
How could I integrate it into my 4 tracking to make things better, besides the volume boost of the final mix?

Oh, and what's the difference between Sound Forge and Sound Forge XP studio? Can I use the effects on one of these programs to let's say record vocals to my 4 track recorder?
 
Although SF can be used for recording most people use it as an editor. One you finsh mixing down your 4track and send it to the hard drive on the PC the fun begins...

In an editor you can do a ton of things...fades, crossoverfades, volume manipulation, compression, equalization, reverb, normalization, adding delay or any other effect. The editor comes with some plug-ins but you may also have to buy some. If you know disregard - a plug-in is a program which runs within the editor program. You can get some free ones at analogX website but the better ones you have to buy. I really like the SonicTimeWorks plug-ins. You can get some free 14 day demos at www.sonictimeworks.com to check them out.

Sometimes just for fun I will rip .wav files from commercial stuff and just mess with it. I've actually improved poorly mixed CD's that way.

zip >>
 
what about this?

Can you use it to let's say process vocals through compression and reverb, tweak it til its just right, and then record the .wav ONTO the 4-track cassette? And then maybe I could record the guitar onto Soundforge with some flanging and distortion, then record that to the 4-track...etc.
and then use another file on soundforge to master my beautiful 4-track tape to hard disk????

I think I already know this is possible, but does anybody do this?

Also, which program should I get? (see my previous post)

THANK YOU!
 
With the right set-up you can do it all on the PC....if you want the end result to be on a CDR why would you record to the computer - go back to the 4 track then back to the computer? :confused:

Maybe I don't understand what you want to do here...???

If you want to record on a PC you need a few things...

1) Soundcard w/ full duplex capability (so you can hear while recording)

2) a mic

3) a mic preamp ($99 for an ART MP)

4) multitrack software ( you can get free versions of n-track or protools.

5) An editor (SF or Cool Edit)

If you want send me an eMail and I can see what you have / what you want to do / what you want to spend and see what fits you. There are many options. I would also reco you do some searching on the board to find more info before you decide.

zip >>
 
ZIP - thanks for taking the time to help me!!

In my first post, I said I was cash poor. I will be for at least a couple more months if you feel me.

So I want to make decent sounding demos that I can transmit electronically and write to CD with what I already have:

Guitar, amp, dist. pedal

Cheap Cardioid mic

Tascam Porta 07 4-track

333 mhz celeron 64 MB PC
with MIDI sequencing software and Soundblaster LIVE card

about $50 - $100 bucks for a program like Sound Forge to master to and/or something else (?)

So I guess what I still need to know is:

Can Soundforge operate as an effects processor to create my tracks on TAPE, and then also operate as a mastering tool?

THANKS!!!!!1
 
I'm not familiar with the Tascam (I use all PC) but if it is a mixer with mic inputs you can record to it then send your mixed files to the PC through your soundcard. The Soundblaster has a stereo 1/8" mini phono so you may need adaptors to do so.

You can use SF as a recorder or editor - yes. To RECORD on a PC you will still need a mic preamp. If you connect your mic directly to the mic input on the soundcard you will get poor results. This is why you will need a mic preamp (ART MP I think is the cheapest at $99) to get the signal strong enough to go into the line-in on the card. There are 3 miniplugs on the card...output , mic and line in.

To get anything decent you will need the preamp. Once you have the file recorded I THINK you could connect the output of the soundcard back to the Tascam. I say think because I have never tried it.

Keep in mind your soundcard is 16 bit vs 20 or 24 for a better card. I know this because I have the same card. I record this way and it does work but for a really good recording on a PC you need a good soundcard. Same goes if you send an audio signal from your Tascam to the PC...it will sound OK but not high quality.

I think there are editors (maybe SF XP) which are 70 -100 bucks but I have a better version. Those run several hundred bucks...

You can go to www.sonicfoundry.com to down load a SF demo or you might try www.hitsquad.com to try another type. There are several besides SF...Cool Edit is one of them. Try them and see what you like.

You can also do audio manipulations in multitrack software. I currently use Cakewalk Pro Audio but there are many out there...n-track www.fastsoft.com and Protools can be used as well. Not sure the Protools website though - just seach Protools and find the site. There is a free version of Protools you can get.

I still would record on the Tascam and send that to the PC to clean-up w/ an editor or record directly to the PC and skip the Tascam. I do understand the limited budget thing though...:)

I'm getting ready to upgrade to a Digi 001 / Protools LE set up and record EVERYTHING to the PC. It has a 8 in 8 out breakout box and is 24 bit...BUT it's like $900. And it's MY preference AFTER I did all my homework. (zip ducks and waits for the wrath of sonusman...;))

Don't get too caught up in spending a lot of money until you really decide what you need. Search this board for info FIRST...many swear by mixers / outboard equipment and many by the PC route. Experiment with what you have and learn on it - then search, learn and consider all options.

I hope this helps.

zip >>
 
You can also get an 19.95 version of cakewalk home studio and use the 4 track as a preamp for the microphone.
 
Thanks zip!

>You can also get an 19.95 version of cakewalk home studio and >use the 4 track as a preamp for the microphone.

What does Cakewalk home studio do?

4 track as preamp...? OK . But do I use the 4-track's line out, monitor out, or sync out?
 
ian....

you would use the mic inputs as the preamp. The outputs would go to the soundcard as I described above.

Cakewalk Home Studio is another multitrack software program used to record multiple tracks on a PC....then mix it down to one stereo .wav file which can be burned onto a CDR. Think of them as a mixer build into the PC....you use the mouse to control the faders vs your hands on faders and knobs...

Cakewalk HS / n-track / Protools all are multitrack programs...download some demos and see which you like best before you buy. (or just use the free ones....limited capabilities but they work:))

zip >>
 
digidesign........DOH!! Why do I always forget that one?? I go there everyday and drool while I dream of my soon to be new system...:)

zip >>
 
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