Mixing analog and digital

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cgpratiug

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I'm thinking of using a Scully record amp as a preamp to my sound card, and outboard effects and Urei leveling amp. Is this a good idea? I'm using a Gateway desktop with a soundblaster PCI 128D sound card. I'm new to digital recording and I am currently using Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro.
 
Scully made professional analog multitrack studio recorders. I have a 1 inch 8 track, but I want to use the recording amps from a scully 2 track 1/4" machine as an input to my computer sound card. The leveling amp is actually a compressor/limiter. You guys must be too young to remember the old analog stuff. I'm over 50, so that might explain my problems.
 
Well, you've got be by about 20 years :)

I'd probably be categorized as a semi-serious home hobbyist, but I've been doing computer recording for about 8 years.

As I'm not familiar with the machine, (though I wish I was) I'll assume that "recording amps" are pre-amps and generate a standard line level signal (obviously not power-amplified - that'd blow the hell out of your sound card).

This being the case, it'd probably be a great idea. I'm sure that they're nice vintage preamps that sound beautiful.

Something to keep in mind, though, if you're used to the quality of a 1" reel, you're probably going to be dissapointed by the quality of your soundblaster. The sound card's job of converting analog to digital is a huge factor in the quality of your sound. While the soundblaster is considered "okay" for beginners, I don't believe you'd fit that category.

If you're in the "digital discovery" stage of computer recording, have at it. If worst comes to worst and your sound card gets blown, it'll give you an excuse to get a pro card.
 
I'm hip to scully recorders just not your use of the word amp. I assume you need preamps for your mics and I would be surprised to find preamps on an older recorder like that but I could be wrong.

FWIW If it does have pres you would still be using the equipment in the worst way. Track on the analog decks if you want that sound. If you dont want to use the multitracks then sell them and get some decent preamps or a mixer.
 
Thanks for the reply guys, you've offered some great suggestions. I will most likely fire up the Scully recorders for serious recording as I still have 5 rolls of 1 inch 3M 250 tape. I think the best thing for me to do is use computer recording for saving my arrangements and practice sessions and burning CD's. It's a lot cheaper than tape. If I can't wait until I get my Scully running again, I'll probably end up getting a more professional sound card for digital recording. I like digital because it's easier to edit with cuz I would probably end up ankle deep in tape.
 
One thing you can do with the multitrack is get a SMPTE to MIDI time code convertor and sync up the computer to the analog deck. That way you can track to the deck and dump the tracks in sync over to the computer. Then you can have the best of both worlds.

You would sacrifice one track for the SMTPE signal so you could even use your stereo deck but you would be limited to one track at a time. If you are really cheap you can even reuse the tape after dumping the keeper track to the computer.
 
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