multitrack to computer...help!!

[Kansas]

I am trying to send signal from Zoom mrs802 to computer via rca monitor out to line in on computer...then using audiograbber software to create wav files.
This worked flawlessly when I was using portastudio analog deck...now with the digital recorder I am getting quite a lot of noise plus a pulsating static which corresponds with the hdd light that blinks while unit is playing...any help would be appreciated.

 

[manning1]

3 ideas.
1. try a different stereo line out from zoom if you have one.
maybe an output went bad,
2. if your using on board sound , you should be going into line in
NOT MIC IN. check this. also might be a cable gone bad.
try a different cable. also check in windows volume control that nothing changed. if you were trying some or other downloaded software maybe a setting got changed somehow.
3. instead of using audio grabber try the free audacity multitrack software.
(very easy to record). see if that works or the one i use is powertracks from pgmusic.com. 49 bucks. check it out sometime. 48 tracks on a PC.
far more flexible than a zoom imho.
all i can think of.
peace.

 

[Kansas]

thanks manning...I'll try the windows volume and the other software...I have a feeling that it is a software problem...thanks again

 

[CoolCat]

3 ideas.

3.the one i use is powertracks from pgmusic.com. 49 bucks. check it out sometime. 48 tracks on a PC.
far more flexible than a zoom imho.
all i can think of.
peace.

i have just downloaded the demo, a newbie to computer recording.

my concern is what exactly do i need in "compuetr hardware" terms??

I have a Yamaha MD8 setup...and am attracted to the 48 track capability.

Basic song writing with- Vocals/effects, guitar effects, bass, harmony tracks, and a few misc. noises as the song requests.
Only a few songs and then I burn a CD (would be nice to burn the seperate tracks in case re-edit is needed.)

so again, what PC hardware do you recommend? Ram, HD size/speed, Soundcard?

i was just reading about memory shortages "if you use the effects" and
Ram problems....

 

[manning1]

coolcat. if your talking pc.
i woyuld suggest any recent pc with a decent sound card in it being fed by something like a yamaha mg mixer.
whats your current pc confign coolcat. ??

 

[manning1]

or coolcat you could use the mic pres in the current md8 i guesse
and then line out of the md8 into sound card line in on pc and record 48 tracks.
ie...just using the md8 like a mixer.

 

[CoolCat]

I have a M-Audio DMP, decent mic and TC Electronics which I'm happy with (and recommeded by the gang here in HR). Still waiting on a RNC...not so much concerned with outboard gear.

The yammie MD8 is great, but PC recording has alluded me.
I tried Cakewalk 8, in 98-99..but it was a hassle.

Recently, blindly(didn't refer to the gang here) I tried the USB M-AUDIO and returned it because the 'demo"
sucked and wouldn't allow burning a CD-R...couldn't perform a full test from
start to finish. It looked so user friendly though...plug in a fhkng USB! record 48 tracks!!

Bought a strange Magix Studio 200 cd disc- $10 at Best Buy cheap bin. But it appeared every track was an "overdub"...1 was mono, but then two would have 1+2, track 3 would be 1+2+3, I want 48 tracks solo/seperate.

Recently downloaded Powertracks per the HR crew.(can't save and burn on these demo's I see). It looks like a good start and fairly cheap.

Can you clarify "decent soundcard"?
and standard hardrive, ram ???? you say any recent pc? so 900Mhz or 2gig?

Any recommedo's for "off-the-shelf" pc configuration?

 

[manning1]

coolcat. you wont do better than powertracks imho.
for the money. the sound quality you get depends purely on how good the sound card is. nothing to do with the software. there are people running expensive convertors with powertracks and getting pro radio quality.
if you want only to record one track at a time say.
look at the audiophile 2496 in a recent amd athlon computer with 512 ram and two fast 7200 rpm hard drives.
also talk to other powertracks users (there are thousands as its been around a long time) on the forum and find out their configurations.
if you want to record multiple mics to multiple tracks at the same time, something like bulls hit shrewdly always recommends - the delta 1010lt
would be a decent solution. try and go with an amd with a nforce chipset.
also as ive said many times before , dont put anything else in a pci slot other than the delta. no tv tuner cards or fancy gamers cards.
then just feed the sound card with standalone mic pre's like i do or a mixer.
some tips. having downloaded powertracks ensure in options, preferences,
audio you tell it which in and out drivers you want to use.
asnd if you notice on each track is a little midi plug. click this to record a mono track. (one wave icon) or again for stereo (two wave icon).
peace.
ps - if you cant afford a modern athlon. look around for a 1ghz pc.
but make sure you put at least 512 ram in it or even 1 gig of ram.
but i would get an athlon if you can. they are around 500 bucks.
all the best.

 

[NYMorningstar]

powertracks sucks imho

 

[CoolCat]

trip

sounds great, i'm starting to get the details i was looking for.

7200 speed HD, 512 or more RAM...1ghz or better...Powertracks...
makes sense the sound cards are important.


outboard gear i'm happy with for now, no big issues there. Seperate Preamp,mic, etc.

I'm just short-term looking for something that can beat the Yammie MD8.
(ease of use, no lock ups etc..and more tracks!! fast CD-R burn, ~mastering/clean up...)

so does Powertracks allow saving the "songs" to CD_R in multi-track form?

that'd be cool too.

 

[CoolCat]

hmm?

coolcat. if your talking pc.
i woyuld suggest any recent pc with a decent sound card in it being fed by something like a yamaha mg mixer.
whats your current pc confign coolcat. ??

I have 2qty Compaq's...900Mhz, 20gig (speed ?)HD...Soundcard??

thats my pc config...a big fhkng "?".....

your info is great I'll stop at the swap used pc shop near work.

the sound card will be studied some more.
I just record seperate tracks, song-writing stuff...no Band recordings with multi inputs. Maximum 2 microphones at once but can live with one+overdubs.

I'm getting a good gut feeling on what to ask for, from your inputs..

 

[manning1]

coolcat. before spending any money on another pc.
just try the demo of powertracks on your existing pc.
when you install the demo up in the menus is a track test. it will tell you how many tracks you can record. if you see over 40.
then you shouldnt need to buy another pc.
you might be able to squeek by with the 900 mhz.
but we shall see.

nymorningstar. perhaps you might want to quantify that comment with
specifics on why you think that. you have broken a record.
your the first person ever ive heard that from.
even electronic mags have commented on its value for money.
i think arch_jedi's comment was unbelievable when he tried it., if you remember that.
out of interest mornigstar - what do you use ?

coolcat - just try the demo. pull it apart. but i dare you to find better value for 49 bucks. on another forum a sonar knowledgeable person was commenting on the ease of punching in using powertracks.
just determine whether its right for you for the money.
and forget my advice or anyone elses.

 

[warble]

the sound quality you get depends purely on how good the sound card is. nothing to do with the software.

Hmm, interesting statement. I know with Cubase 2, they improved the sound engine and I noticed a difference in quality - using the same sound interface (Echo Gina 24). Don't sound engines use algorithms in processing sound? It seems to me how it's all implemented would make a difference. I don't know - I could be a zillion lightyears off on this one, but I'd guess I'm not quite that far off course. I'm not saying there are vast differences necessarily between multi-track software products, but would each of them sound exactly the same on the same sound interface as you are stating? Why would software companies improve their sound engines? For kicks?

Guess I'll have to do some comparison testing between Powertracks Pro and Cubase SX 3 and check this theory out. The curiosity bug has bitten me quite hard this evening and I forgot my bug spray.