MR-8 vs. Computer Recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ricklh
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Ricklh

Ricklh

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I have both an MR-8, which I really enjoy, and Cakewalk's Guitar Tracks 2, which I've been getting more involved with lately. Just wondering if you guys prefer one over the other or try to combine both - like use the MR-8 for basic tracking and then use your software for mixing down? What I really like about the MR-8 is I can get tracks down quite a bit faster than I can with my software. Also, do you get better quality sound from your computer than you do your MR-8, or not that much difference?
 
beter sound

you will get better sound if you have a 24bit soundcard, mr8 is 16 bit...

but for all the headaches involved, i like just transfering the recorded tracks from the mr8 to the pc, and mixing there...

no latgency rblems or soundcard issues, but many people love recording into the c, just not for me....
 
Hey, computers are great, but I just can't tolerate the noise when recording via microphone (especially a condensor). Buying quiet components would be expensive, I haven't a clue or the desire to soundproof what I have, nor do I wish to store my CPU in a closet down the hall. As for sound quality, I'm strictly a hobbyist with a $50 soundcard (which, by the way, has virtually no inherent noise) so I'm thinking the sound quality of the BR-864 I have on the way will be ok in comparison.

I also think it will be convenient being able to tuck the unit under my arm and record wherever I want - can't do that with a desktop.

However, I do plan on using the PC to edit, mix, master and burn cd's for playing/backup/storage.
 
dave in toledo said:
you will get better sound if you have a 24bit soundcard, mr8 is 16 bit...

but for all the headaches involved, i like just transfering the recorded tracks from the mr8 to the pc, and mixing there...

no latgency rblems or soundcard issues, but many people love recording into the c, just not for me....
Click to expand...

How do I find out if my soundcard is 24-bit or not? It's a Realtek AC97 and I'm running Windows XP.
 
Ricklh said:
How do I find out if my soundcard is 24-bit or not? It's a Realtek AC97 and I'm running Windows XP.
Click to expand...

go to start , settings control panel sounds, hardware, and properties for you card

most stock cards are usually 16 bit
 
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dave in toledo said:
go to start , settings control panel sounds, hardware, and properties for you card

most stock cards are usually 16 bit
Click to expand...
His soundcard won't make much of a difference if he's recording with the MR-8. He's not going to have to worry about noise from the pc either unless he records in the room with it started up. The MR-8 transfers via usb and a program called a Wave Manager. If you want decent recordings, a 16-bit soundcard should be good enough. The MR-8 is 16 bit any way.

You've got decent software for recording so you should be set. You just need to gain experience with recording, lots more with mixing and mastering. You have begun a long journey....

Good luck!
 
I'd say both methods have their uses. I use my DAW (a small P4 system with a MAYA 44 soundcard running n-Track Studio) for most recording work, but occasionally I need a certain ambience or to record an instrument that's immovable, like a real concert grand piano or a church organ(!). For this purpose I've bought a MR-8, and am very happy with it. I also use it to record basic parts on acoustic guitar by myself, where the noise from the PC prevents sensible operation while recording. The MR-8 is much more flexible for that use. It's like having a stationary sound studio with a mobile unit to go with it.

regards, Nils
 
Nils K said:
I'd say both methods have their uses. I use my DAW (a small P4 system with a MAYA 44 soundcard running n-Track Studio) for most recording work, but occasionally I need a certain ambience or to record an instrument that's immovable, like a real concert grand piano or a church organ(!). For this purpose I've bought a MR-8, and am very happy with it. I also use it to record basic parts on acoustic guitar by myself, where the noise from the PC prevents sensible operation while recording. The MR-8 is much more flexible for that use. It's like having a stationary sound studio with a mobile unit to go with it.

regards, Nils
Click to expand...
I like your thinking. I record on my MR-8 and mix it on my pc. It's a great set up for me. I don't have to worry about buying fancy soundcards or pc noise or any of that. And I can take the little red box anywhere. Of course the pre amps are lacking, but I have solutions for that. But my set up works great for me :D
 
guitar tracks

i know there are a couple of people using it around here, i also use n track but use what you already have......

when recording in 24 bit and mixing on the pc the file is processed at 32 bit float, there is a big difference and lots of people can hear it , some cant.... but the file is of higher resolution so there is more detail

its a pain to me also though, i use the mr8 because i bought it, i have it, shame not to use it, and the difference between a file mixed n the pc and streight from the mr8 is like night and day
 
Rokket said:
His soundcard won't make much of a difference if he's recording with the MR-8. He's not going to have to worry about noise from the pc either unless he records in the room with it started up. The MR-8 transfers via usb and a program called a Wave Manager. If you want decent recordings, a 16-bit soundcard should be good enough. The MR-8 is 16 bit any way.

You've got decent software for recording so you should be set. You just need to gain experience with recording, lots more with mixing and mastering. You have begun a long journey....

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Rokket.

About the MR-8, what I do to get it to the computer is simply going analog connection from the headphone jack to my sound card. Does going USB really make that much of an audible difference? I tried it a while back but I thought the volume level was too low, compared to analog transferring.
 
no no no

dont try and record the tracks to the pc, you use the fostex wav manager program, its free and transfer the already recorded tracks to the pc with wav manager, you dont want to re record them throught the soundcard
 
dave in toledo said:
dont try and record the tracks to the pc, you use the fostex wav manager program, its free and transfer the already recorded tracks to the pc with wav manager, you dont want to re record them throught the soundcard
Click to expand...

Okie-dokie. Now I can't remember if I ever downloaded the Wave manager or not.
 
daveintoledo, I just got done transferring to a wav file, then exported to my computer, then imported the wav to Guitar Tracks and played it back in that. Cool! I'm all set, thanks, man. (and the rest who replied.)
 
Ricklh said:
daveintoledo, I just got done transferring to a wav file, then exported to my computer, then imported the wav to Guitar Tracks and played it back in that. Cool! I'm all set, thanks, man. (and the rest who replied.)
Click to expand...
I'm glad that you figured it out! Welcome to a whole new world! Best of luck with your recording :D
 
guitar tracks

if its half as good as n tracks, you wont beleive the difference in your recordings.....
 
Ricklh said:
I have both an MR-8, which I really enjoy, and Cakewalk's Guitar Tracks 2, which I've been getting more involved with lately. Just wondering if you guys prefer one over the other or try to combine both - like use the MR-8 for basic tracking and then use your software for mixing down? What I really like about the MR-8 is I can get tracks down quite a bit faster than I can with my software. Also, do you get better quality sound from your computer than you do your MR-8, or not that much difference?
Click to expand...


I never had much success recording directly into the computer. The noise was too great. I must just have a noisy soundcard. I figured that by the time I upgraded the soundcard, I would be better off just buying the MR-8 given that the cost difference isn't too great. I, like others here, transfer the tracks over to the computer vis Wave Manager and play around with them in Cakewalk 2004. This way of file transfer avoids yet another noise producing link in the recording process.

BTW, others may disagree but unless you're doing some serious recording (ie marketing CD's on a large scale) I don't think anyone will truly notice the difference between 16 and 24 bit recording. Arn't CD's 16 bit anyway?

Speaking of hearing differences, I ran an experiment a couple of weeks ago. I have ben curious just how much difference there is in the various mp3 compressions, from least compression (largest file size) to greatest compression, (smallest file size). I had my daughter invite a couple of friends over and I did the double blind study thing with them. The responses varied from, "I can't hear the difference" to "I like the last one." The last one had the greatest compression! These kids listen to a lot of music! Who knew? I have to admit that I could tell the difference and I liked the least comrpession best but the differences were milimeters, not feet.

I only mention this because I think at times we spend too much time sweating over percentages that mean little in the end. Mind you, I am talking strictly about those of us who record for our own amusement and perhaps for demos, NOT the pro wannabees. That having been said, I will still never be satisfied with my setup! :D

Regards to all and Merry Christmas! Steve

PS I ran the mp3 experiment to determine the best compression setting for my mp3 player. I plan to travel overseas this coming summer and I want the most bang for the file size buck.
 
There are those who will tell you (the pro's on here, and I believe them) that recording in 24 bit and then mastering in 16 bit will give you much better sonic results. I don't have the equipment to do it, so I stay 16 bit, but as soon as I can start sinking money into it, I want go as high as I can, giving a better end result. I too will have to try it myself, but like I said, I trust the pros on here, and I am pretty certain there will be a significant difference in the sound quality.
 
24 bit

yes cd's are 16 bit, but you will get the detail fro the higher resolution, even though the file is being interpolated down...
 
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