Multitrack/Overdubbing setup?

[bloodsample]

Hi,

First time post, hope this is the right place..

I have a basic PC recording setup but as it currently stands, I'm not able to overdub recordings. What I mean is that if I, for example, record an acoustic guitar track and then want to add vocals while listening to the recorded guitar, everything gets recorded in the new track (both vocals AND guitar). I want to have the vocals be in their own distinct track without the previous stuff played over it every time.

I hope that was clear enough.

Ok so I thought of an easy fix to this, but it seems a bit superfluous, let me know if I'm way off here.

Gear chain:
MICS --> UB1202FX (small mixer) <--> Audiophile2496 (audio interface)

The connection between the mixer and the audio interface is via the Tape IN/OUT of the mixer (RCA cables, both IN and OUT on the audio interface)

While I record, I monitor everything with headphones plugged into the headphone OUT of the mixer.

The trouble is that when I select the TAPE IN (coming back from the PC) on the mixer to not go into the mix, I can't hear it on the headphones. But if I do enable it, then it is recorded along with everything else (which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid here). Now on the mixer I can send the TAPE IN to the control OUT but then only the TAPE IN goes to the control OUT and I can't monitor the actual mic inputs of the mixer (ie I can't hear what's coming into the microphones as I record). I found a cheap fix where I merge the control and headphone outputs with a Y-adapter, but then I only get a signal in the left side of the headphones (not practical).

Another solution I thought of is to buy another small 4 channel mixer (50$) to use only for merging the two signals to the headphones. So I'd run the output of the PC into the input of this new mixer as well as the outputs of the old mixer into the new mixer and run the output to my headphones. Is this the way it's supposed to be done?

How are people able to hear both the pre-recorded tracks and monitor the inputs of the mixer at the same time while only recording the mixer inputs to a track (and not the pre-recorded stuff) using headphones? I'm guessing people must use headphones otherwise you'd just get bleeding into the mics. I don't have a separate control room, this is a very basic setup and everything is in one room, I guess that's part of the problem.

I hope that wasn't too confusing.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo A-Positive:

Don't really know what type of rig you're using. However, There should be no problem to getting a PC program to do overdubbing. I use a stand-a-lone; I had several types over the years.

Most good stand alones can record 8 tracks at once; however, that's a lot of tracks for the "average" dude wanting to do some music and vocal or solo work.

I seldom record more than two tracks at once; it's usually the keys/chords and the drum box; once that's done, the rest is easy. Just add on whatever; or, do a vocal.

I'm just guessing that you have a system problem; only thing is, I don't know what system you're using; maybe one of the talents on this site can fill you in. Over-dubbing is not difficult. Maybe post on the equipment forum?

Cheers,
Green Hornet

 

[Steve Henningsgard]

The problem you're having is that you're sending both your microphone signals and your return-from-the-computer(monitoring) signals to the "Main" outs. What you need to do is to separate the signals! Here's how to do it:

- Plug the "Main Outs" of your mixer, into your 24/96 inputs.

- Send the Output of your 24/96 to the "CD/Tape IN" section of your mixer.

- Make sure the "CD/Tape to MIX" button is OFF, and the "CD/Tape to Ctrl" is ON.

- In your recording program, you should have the option to "Monitor Inputs". This will send both the already-recorded signal, and the currently-being-recorded signal to the Output of the 24/96, and thus will come into the "CD/Tape IN" of your mixer. Tell us what program you're using and we should be able to help you out with this one.

 

[bloodsample]

Thank you so much!

You were right, it was just a software issue. I did some googling and found that all I needed was a little button..

I've had this setup for a few years and have been recording with Sonar LE the whole time and I never even thought of the "ECHO ON" button! I feel so stupid now.

I thought I had to buy new hardware, you just saved me some cash! To think that one little button caused me so much confusion.

I would never think this was a software thing, I thought the mixer was incapable of this. I guess all we need is to know that something is possible in order to figure out how to do it.

Thanks again.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Type O:

Man, it's always easy when someone shows you how or you discover it. Everytime I turn on my box, it's a learning session. One day I spent about 30 minutes trying to figure out why I could not get a signal into track 3: Solution? All I had to do was plug in the input to track 3. It was plugged into track 4.

Cheers,
Green Hornet