Multitrack or PC?

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eviljoker7075

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Hey, I have been contemplating purchasing a Fostex MR-8 multitrack recorder... up until now I have been using my PC with Kristal Audio Engine.

My question is, which is better, in your opinion, the portable multitracker or my PC software, also, if I was to stick with the PC what is a good soundcard to use (so far I just have a normal one with line in and mic ports)?

Thanks
 
What kind of PC do you have now? Processor, ram, HD space etc?
MR8 is really great and easy as an entry level recorder, but is limited dynamically witrh 16 bit and in sound quality with 44.1 sample rate.
For $200 you can pick up a firewire or USB PC recording system.
However
You will need learn and get some recording sofware (ntrack for cheap) and spend some hours learning it, a decent cheap preamp (Maudio DMP3 for instance) and a decent mic (1000 of them for <$200 that are good to satrt with).
IMHO you will need all these things with the MR8 too. Every couple months PC recording interfaces get cheaper and do more, at this point I think they kick the crap out of most mulitrackers. BUT you have to be invested in learnign the software, sometimes troubleshooting the PC itself, and investing in the PC itself. If you are technical and/or have access to a good comp, you can do this pretty easily.

Daav
 
What's wrong with KAE? It does the trick doesn't it?
 
Why lock yourself into 16 bit with an old multitracker when you can get 24 bit recording on your PC with a $99 Audiophile
 
Ahh right, that looks pretty sweet... but is there one that will allow maybe 4 track simultaneous recording?
 
eviljoker7075 said:
Ahh right, that looks pretty sweet... but is there one that will allow maybe 4 track simultaneous recording?
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yes there are plenty of them that can do 4 tracks, and even more. it depends on how much you're going to spend. start searching for "audio interface", and i'm sure you'll find what you want.

what sort of computer do you have? whether or not you can do this (and how complex you can get) depends pretty much entirely on your computer. what CPU do you have? How much ram? hard drive space?

have a look at this page under "FireWire interfaces", "USB interfaces" and "PCI interfaces". you may need to buy a firewire card if you're computer doesn't have one, but those aren't that expensive.

FireWire vs USB has been argued at length, so you might want to read up about that when chosing your interface. in very general terms, they're equal.

happy hunting!
MD
 
Do both - get the mutlitrack & then run it into your PC when the tracks are full.
 
Bulls Hit said:
If you want a chance at getting reasonable quality recordings never buy any card with the word 'Audigy' or 'Soundblaster' in the name.
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What's wrong with them? It came highly reccommended by a friend, and the online reviews seem to be good...
 
eviljoker7075 said:
What's wrong with them? It came highly reccommended by a friend, and the online reviews seem to be good...
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Well, it's a card made for general computer use mainly (gaming, MP3 listening, watching movies, etc.) and not serious audio use. I previously used an Audigy card before I got serious, but I would bypass it now, because if you're serious, you will eventually.
 
eviljoker7075 said:
So what is actually wrong with it?
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it wasn't designed for sound recording. if you want the technical jargon, it has crap A/D converters, which basically just kills your sound. it was designed to make games and movies sound good.


you wouldn't use a Ferrari F40 for offroad now would you?

i suggest you read some of the articles on http://www.gearslutz.com/ until you understand what it is you're actually looking for.
 
I bought a Delta 44 for recording, but I keep my Audigy 2 and it works great for monitoring and I even use some of the sound processor effects.

It is true they aren't great for recording, but that doesn't mean they are crap. ;)
 
Treeline said:
http://www.dv247.com/invt/29911/ (Alesis firewire mixer / interface)

http://www.dv247.com/invt/23617/ (Echo Layla PCI card / interface)

http://www.dv247.com/invt/29998/ (M-Audio Fastrack USB interface)

Don't waste your time with gaming sound cards - the Audigy is great for playback but its converters simply cannot handle the recording tasks you would be throwing at it. The cards that work are in the prosumer - professional level.
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hmm, thank you for those links... I'm not really sure if I have the money to shell out that kind of price yet... are there any decent sound cards (must be a sound card as I need a new one) that will be good as recording cards for around the £100 mark?
 
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