Mixing Down From Portastudio to Computer

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bferber

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I have a Portastudio 424 MKII (4 track cassette) and want to be able to mix down from the unit to my computer, instead of to a standard 2 track cassette.

Other than using an external CD burner (expensive solution!), I would like to take the Line Outs (2 RCAs) from the Portastudio into the computer, store the files on the hard disk and then eventually burn them onto the computer's CD-R drive.

What do you recommend is the least expensive way to do this? Are there other/better ways to do this?
 
Hi there. I'm doing the exact (sort of) same thing you're trying to do.

I'll tell you how I'm doing it, and maybe someone here with more experience can tell you a better way.

1.First of all, you need a program that can simulate digital tape. I'm using a free demo of Goldwave--you can get it at their website (Goldwave.com I think).

2.Next your going to need a cable that combines two RCA connectors into an 1/8" audio plug. I got mine at the Radio Shack.

3.Connect your RCA plugs to your mixer and the 1/8" plug to the stereo input on your soundcard--not the mic input!

4.Start up Goldwave, create a new sound (make it however many minutes you will need).

5.Press record on the device manager on Goldwave, and press play on you portastudio).

When done w/each song, you can edit the song w/Goldwave--taking out the empty space at the start, fade in/out, turn it into an MP3, etc.

It takes a little time messing around to get it right, but it is VERY easy.
 
Holder:

Thanks for the information! Have you tried using the Edirol UA 1A to attach the Portastudio to your computer? It as 2 RCA plugs as inputs and USB output. It sounds like it will do the same thing as you've described with the RCA to 1/8" plug (albeit at a higher cost - the UA 1A is around $70).
 
Never heard of that usb thing. Sounds like it might sound better than the 1/8" plug.

In all honesty, I think it sounds good using an 1/8" plug--I've got a DAT deck, and the way I'm doing mixdowns on my PC sounds just as good (if not better) than the DAT.
 
I do the same RCA to 1/8 stereo using a free Quartz Audio program, but I (For some reason) seem to instantly clip the PC's inputs without getting my Porta's fader's up into the optimal gray. I've checked that I wasn't using the mic in instead of the line in on the pc and I've internally adjusted the pc's master input mixer to no avail.

Would a Rca to 1/8 attenuating cable resolve this?

If so, who makes them?


Thanks

:)
 
bferber said:

What do you recommend is the least expensive way to do this? Are there other/better ways to do this?
Click to expand...

You'll need a tracking/sequencing program like Cakewalk, Ntrack, Cool Edit etc.

you should then playback just one track at a time on your portastudio, and record each track on a seperate track on the computer. When you have all 4 tracks recorded you can then just drag and drop the audio tracks to line them up so they all play in sync. Now you're ready to mix and burn
 
For the analog tape mixers, that will work fine. I do that. But if you're using digital, you better buy a really good soundcard with a digital (optical/coax) input. also, be careful, as on cheap soundcards the line-in can be hissssssy
 
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