Newbie Digital Questions

[Jimbo]

I am interested in incorporating my computer into my recording setup. I would like to continue tracking to my 8-track reel-to-reel, but I would like to mixdown/master to CD. What do I need in order to do this? I assume a good soundcard and a CD-R (or is it CD-RW?). Of course, I would like to do this as cost effectively as possible. Any guidance on what I need, how I hook it up, and how much $$$ I can expect to spend would be greatly appreciated. Peace.

 

[Emeric]

Well, a sound card will cost anywhere from $20 to $1000 and up. All depends on what you need. The ensonic is a good quiet soundcard, the sound blaster live is also popular. For better cards in the upper end of the price range, stuff from gadget labs, aardvark, lynx etc. CD-RW will set you back anywhere from $150 to $300. This is all you need to do what you want.

 

[Even]

One more thing you are going to want if you plan to "mix down and master is a software program. If you intend to get the tunes to a PC you will need to speak its language. The tunes or tracks will need to be pumped into the computer and saved as files. Wav files. Not that you need a $500 program, but if you plan to edit or master it up a bit you will need something. And you can burn it to either a cd-r or cd-rw. CD R is just a cd recorder. Once recorded always recorded. The cd-rw is the re-writable kind. RW's let you delete and erase certain types of disks.