need help w/ a live band multi-tracking setup

[dkh7m]

i want to try recording my 3-piece band while we play live, but tracking each mic/instrument so we can tweak the mix after we're done. i have a laptop running cakewalk sonar 2, but i don't know how to go about inputting each instrument and mic to record simultaneously. what's the best (inexpensive) hardware to use for this application? i've seen a couple of 6 channel mixers w/ USB output (alesis makes one for $150), but i can't find any info on whether that will do what i want. i've also considered buying a couple iMics and running each mic/instrument into one side of the stereo input on those.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ssscientist]

The Mackie USB mixers are two in, two out as far as their ability to separate a computer mix goes.

Something like an MAudio FW 1814 or a Presonus Firepod is what you need if you want to record separate tracks while you're all playing.

The alternative is to track the project in overdubs with the drums --- or a rhythm reference --- being laid down first.

 

[Cazzbar]

Yeah, I agree with ssscientist on just concentrating on getting the drums recorded first.

I bought an expensive 24 track recorder to record a 4 piece band live... knowing I would need loads of inputs to record a live band, but the reality is everybody wants to redo their guitar solo/highest vocal/bass line in the 2nd verse, you name it! You could be in a studio for 6 hours playing the same song, and you'll never get a take that everybody is happy with! (yet switch the recorder off and everybody turns into blooming musical geniuses )

So I only ever use my 24 track recorder to record 4 tracks of drums now (snare/kick/stereo overheads) with everybody else adding their parts separately afterwards, getting those vocals in early. You do loose that 'live' feel, but at least everybody is happy with their performances.

So I would say look for an interface with 4 mic pres (for live drums first, then mic'ing guitar amps, vocals) and a couple of line inputs (for keyboards, guitar pods, effects etc...)

But if getting that live feel is important, then it's just a case of adding up all the inputs you need. The Alesis Firewire Mixers could be ideal on a budget.

 

[mikemorgan]

The Layla by Echosystems is available with a pcmcia interface for your laptop. It sports 8 in/8 out of analog to hook to your mixer busses. This unit has been around for a while and should be available for relatively few bucks. A Pentium processor is HIGHLY recommended for your laptop though.

Also the Motu 828 is a firewire version that has a lot of good reviews.

 

[dkh7m]

thanks for the input. luckily, we don't have a drummer we're a three-piece acoustic band (guitar, mandolin and bass). the reason for the desired setup is that we're all too busy to sit down and do proper multitrack recording (tried once, it was a disaster), and we live at least an hour away from each other, so practices are rather infrequent. in the past, we've just run a line-out of the PA head into my laptop and gotten some pretty good recordings. problem is, it's hard to guage the mix in the confines of the garage, so sometimes we'll have an awesome take, but the 3rd vocals will be too quiet, or the mandolin too loud, etc. mostly though, we just record practices and hope that somewhere in the mass of beer-fuelled tracks, there's one or two gems that we can slap onto a CD at some point in the future.

i got cakewalk to recognize the L and R inputs of three individual sound cards (one on-board and 2 USB) the other night, but the USB cards are pretty crappy and wouldn't record right. i've heard good things about the iMic, but i wanted to see if there was another way to achieve the same effect w/ a single unit. sounds like the firepod would be the way to go if i had $600 to spend.

bottom line is, we're not looking for A-1 quality. right now, we just want to be able to record a good demo that we can use to get gigs. we have a live recording right now that's ok, but it's dated and the treble is way too high. i guess we're just victims of our own laziness. nobody wants to take the time to do a recording right, even though we talk about how great it'd be all the time

 

[Cazzbar]

I know what it's like trying to mix a band before you record! geesh, the frustration (hence the purchase of my HD24)

But I was definitely staring at the alesis firewire mixers in my local shop yesterday (froogle link) thinking that would have been a cheap and cheerful way to go (It would also have been a standard mixer as well !)

Although I've no idea what they're like, if you can get one to work for you that would be the cheapest option i think... (unless you want to buy a 2nd hand HD24 )