Need some help here.

[gabepidgin]

Hi,

I've been recording for a few years with basically no knowledge on recording. I currently use Adobe Audition (1.5) and a 4 track mixer,
(something similar to this)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-MPM4130-4Channel-Powered-Mixer-with-DSP?sku=630421

Basically, what I do is a hook up the mixer to a desktop and record that way. Here's some of the stuff i've done with this crude (it is crude... right?) recording technique: www.myspace.com/spidgines . I record each instrument separately then mix and masterize (sort of).

The recording fidelity is usually not very good. I get some hiss (I usually take it out with filters in adobe)

I'm planning on recording stuff on my laptop from now on.
it's a:
Windows XP Profesional
2.00 GHZ Processor
0.99 GB of ram
The soundcard is a Soundmax Integrated Digital Audio
It has a 100 Gigabytes hard drive plus I bought a Sea Disk external hard drive of 300 Gigabytes.

I'm running low on cash as well.

From what i've been reading on different threads, i'll need an external sound card. I would like to know if this sound card will work:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Alpha-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=245507

Now, in order to record drums, i'll need a mixer (right?). Is this one good?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Xenyx-1222FX?sku=631270

Would it work to hook up the mixer to the external sound card?

The microphones are of no problem here as I have decent ones and I could borrow from friends.

Please help me with this as I know for a fact that there's some really talented people in this forum.

 

[rickshawrecords]

You'll absolutely need an audio interface for your PC. The SoundMax integrated audio is crap... It's on my MB too, but I don't use it.

For what it's worth, I have done "4-track" digital recording sessions with a $65 2-channel Soundblaster Live! soundcard and a $100 used Minidisc recorder. I record drums with a stereo pair into the Minidisc, (check out my Ribbon Mic plans below - They're awesome for recording drums!) and bass & guitar go into my Soundblaster. I then record the playback of Minidisc drums into the soundblaster onto 2 new channels, line them up with each other, and - Voila! - a 4-track session ready for production.

Alternately, I'll use all 4 tracks for drums, (kick, snare, & stereo overheads, or a mixer) then lay down bass & guitar tracks separetely later. I've even used a PA head to mix drums to 2-channels. Not the "best" method, but whatever...

As long as everything is played back at exactly the same speed it was recorded at (the beauty of digital, and a downfall of analog) the tracks will line up with each other.

If I need overdubs, I'll record direct into my Soundblaster, usually through a V-Amp or POD.

- Rickshaw
Rickshaw Records
San Diego, CA