Multitrack software question

[MikeA]

As I have stated before I'm in the process of putting together a recording PC for my church. I suddenly got that deer in the headlights look when I happened to think "What if the guys who help me out with the sound system can't grasp starting the software and getting the service/sermon recorded?" I realize that for week to week recording having a multitrack PC recording system may be overkill but that is not all it will be used for. One of the ministers here does a 1/2 hour weekly radio program that he wants to record at the church instead of going to the station and we will also be recording gospel groups. My question is this: Is there some way that I could set up for my guys so that they could crank up the software, open a template (or something like that ) that was called "Sunday service" and it would set all the inputs, outputs, levels, etc., up and basically be ready to record very quickly? Sort of like a one button setting that configures an automated console for tracking? Or maybe I should just put a copy of Sound Forge on the PC for that type of recording and teach them how to run that? Thanks...

 

[TexRoadkill]

In theory you could make it work but if anything goes wrong (and it usually will) they will be in trouble. Computers would not be my first choice for long recording sessions especially if the user is not very experienced.

SoundForge or CoolEditPro would be good choices.

A DAT deck would be the easiest and most robust solution. I would also have a cassette deck patched in as a backup.

 

[MikeA]

Thanks Tex,

Another option a friend who is doing this same thing is looking into is one of those Marantz CDR30 units which is a portable type deal with XLR mic inputs (with preamps) as well as line inputs which would end up working very much like the cassette deck we are using now. We could also easily carry it to a classroom that needed to have something recorded. It would be cheaper than the PC too, but ultimately, not as versatile. I want a PC but don't know if that is the "right" decision or not. I know, I know, only I can make that call. Thanks for the insight...

 

[wes480]

Hey Mike..got your email. Even though Tex is right...I still think that going with the PC solution will be really simple.

I've used a few different software programs...but, for instance...in cool edit pro...using the Aardvark Q10 which you are looking at - it's this simple...

1. Open Cool Edit Pro.
2. Select the input that the program should record from
(you have 8 on your aardvark...so, if the preachers mic is going to be channel 1...and thats what they need recorded..then hit channel 1).
3. Arm it to record...
4. Press record.

It's a really simple process. Like Tex said though...things could go wrong. I can see where it could be a problem. Say there is some software malfunction....and the guys have no clue how to fix it...or they have to restart..or whatever else.

Personally, I've been using Win XP with my Aardvark, running Nuendo for about 6-7 hours a day for the past month and I have never even had to restart.

But, something like a DAT..is going to be more stable in theory.

Another consideration i thought of, was that the guys are going to have to know *something* about basics of recording...like, making sure they get preamp gain set right. Or that, if you end up with a mixer - they don't have some deadly EQ settings or something.