pc redording questions

[hubb_99]

here's what i want to do:
i want to record my band live and have each channel come into my computer seperatley that way i can mix eveything using cakewalk or a similar program. My band consists of drums, bass, two guitar, lead and back-up vocals. I wouldn't have to record all those at the same time but at least one guitar, drums and lead vocals at the same time.

here's what I have:
pent III 444 mhz
13g hard drive
128 ram
cd burner
a bunch of recording software(cakewalk, cubase, sound forge...)
creative stock sound card

i realize that i might have to hop up my memory and hard drive

here's my questions:
what would the ideal setup be for me to record everything at the same time and then be able to seperate each track.
how do they do it in the studios?

 

[Gidge]

Aardvark Q10
Maxtor Diamond Max 7200rpm hard drive
256MB RAM (because its so cheap)
the fastest PIII or Celeron your motherboard can take (but see if your current PIII will giveyou what you want first)

 

[AlChuck]

In order to record like "they do it in the studios," you need to be able to record each instrument to a single track at least. Guitars are often doubled. Drum kits are typically miked onto several tracks -- one for the snare, one for the kick, etc. Tracks of just ambience -- a mic sitting across the room to pick up echos and natural reverberation -- are often recorded too. 24 or more separate simultaneous tracks are typically used.

For live drums alone it's hard to get a very professional sound without at least four tracks -- one for the snare, one for the kick, and a stereo pair for cymbals and toms, etc. Add a one guitar and vocals to that and you have occupied 6 tracks already.

With a typical consumer card you can record two tracks at once. So your options are only (1) record live and mix it all as you record it, or (2) record two tracks at a time separately.

If your band is a live act the former can work, but of course you have no separation of instuments and can't play with their levels and effects separately. But you can capture a good live recording if you're really good.

If you want to experiment with effects and such after the fact and want lots of control, the latter method is better, but it's harder to capture the live feel of the band playing together.

 

[Atwork]

you'd need a soundcard with multiple inputs - at least three - to record in the way you describe, and software that will record at least three tracks at once.

 

[hubb_99]

I have been doing some research and I think I am going to go with the Omni studio. I think with a little creative mixing and such it will be perfect for what i want do. I like the ideal of the mic pre-amps so I can plug in and record. I really only need to have five or so tracks simultaneously. and i belive that I can get by just fine with the omni.

 

[Gidge]

hubb, the Omni IS a damn fine card.....but it wont do what you want....it only has 2 preamps and can only record 4 tracks at a time......

the Aardvark Q10 has 8 preamps and can record 8 tracks at a time.....