Question about Post Processing/Mixing with a computer

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trader941

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Ok, i guess i'll start with my signal chains...

Instrument --> preamp --> 8 bus mixer --> each bus goes to a channel on my fast track ultra --> computer.

Here is my question about post processing, how can i get the signal to go backwards to the mixer to allow me to mess with it.

I can figure out how to get 1 channel back to the mixer at a time, just mute everything and play 1 track at a time through the outs on my m-audio fast track ultra into a channel on my mixer, but is there a way to do more than one instrument at a time, for instance, now i want to do my entire drum kit at once, or i want to mix/process both my lead and backup vocals, or maybe even the whole band. How do i get those tracks seperated in my mixer?

Thanks
 
That's as clear as mud, Trader.
Try again and I'll bet you get some help.:)
 
The Second Try

Ok, let me try again lol.

I want to take multiple tracks that i have recorded into audacity (or another program), and send multiple channels out to my mixer. I want to know what equipment it would take to do that.

For instance, I am recording 2 guitars, a bass guitar, a lead and backup vocal. I would take guitar 1, send it to bus 1, guitar 2 to bus 2, bass guitar to bus 3, lead vocal to bus 4, and backup to bus 5. The outs for each bus would go into the ins on my computer interface (Maudio fast track ultra) 1-5. They would come up on my computer screen while i record in audacity, as channels 1-5, all seperate :).

What i want to be able to do is the process backwards. I want to take the tracks on the computer, send them back to my interface, back to my mixer, and be able to EQ, compress, reverb, or add other effects after I have already recorded the tracks.

The trick -- I would perfer to do this with multiple tracks at the same time, as it would make my life easier and shorter. Right now, when i send the signal back through that USB cable, it comes out of each of the 6 outs as a mono signal of all the channels mixed together. I want there to be a way that each one of those outs would represent the seperate signals that are mixed together to come out of my speakers. This way, I could take all 5 of those previously mentioned signals post recording, and put them together in a mix quite nicely, and mix them down or just send them all back onto my computer using my busses.

I don't know if that explaination worked any better, but i can give it another shot if you guys need me to. I think i have a few more words left in me :).
 
Sure.
I could do that with my Echo Mona if I wanted to mix Surround Sound I think but if you want to bring those tracks out, assign them to individual tracks on your mixer, add effects and then record them again.......:confused:... a bit much for one soundcard, I'd say.
 
Yeah, thats kinda what i want, except not recording while i'm doing this post processing.

I just need a way to take that mixed signal and force it to be partitioned, instead of mixed, get what i'm saying?

What equipment do i need for that?
 
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You can't "un-mix" a track already mixed down to stereo. You can only take the individual tracks you originally recorded and push them out.

But what that requires is several channels of D/A conversion - basically like what your fast track ultra does, except in reverse.

G.
 
I bought the Behringer ADA 8000 which will do that but I would be running it out through the Mona into the Behringer since the Behrri isn't an interface.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--BEHADA8000
Have a look at some of the 8 channel interfaces.
You would want to see matching outputs or at least ADAT I/O (not SPDIF) if you go the Behringer route.
Then check the specs and reviews for one that matches your needs.
You want to know that you can assign the tracks to each line out during playback.
Hey! Karaoke!!:p
Edit:
I just need a way to take that mixed signal and force it to be partitioned, instead of mixed, get what i'm saying?
Well I thought I did until you wrote that.
 
It's like a I just need a direct out from my computer for each channel.

I would wonder if something like this would work...

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-ADATHD24-Digital-Recorder?sku=246021

This way, i could use (some of) the 24 ins as my multitracker after my mixer, then record it, use the connector to my computer to record to my computer, and also record to this unit, then later i can play the song back out of each of the channels, at least thats how i would think it would work.

I could get a unit like this, except smaller, like 8-12 ins/outs, if anyone has a recommendation, or if i'm way off, go ahead and tell me.

Yes, that behringer box looks about right, but idk if that would be able to assign the ins/outs of each of the channels (i would tend to doubt it)
 
Not getting confused between ADAT optical signals and ADAT recorders, are you?
If you really want to go that route, there are plenty of 8 channel digital recorders for less money.
I use the Korg D3200 which will also work as a mixer but not as an interface.
 
It's always safe to assume i'm confused :).

Really, I don't understand what i'm talking about right now.

How do professional studio's edit their mixes? What equipment do they use? How is that stuff hooked together?

pretend i'm a newb (it won't be too hard :))
 
Okay!
Boy, I never saw that coming.
You want an audio interface.
You're a drummer so you will need 4 inputs minimum, 8 inputs eventually. (One kit can use up 5)
You plug your microphones and instruments into the interface.
It converts your signal to digital and sends it into the computer.
It connects to the computer via USB, Firewire or PCI cable.
The studio software (DAW) which you will buy or download opens up into several tracks.
The effects will all be in there for you to play with.
Add your effects to each track. Edit them. Pan them etc... Now you're mixing.
You will not need to bring those tracks out again for any reason.
You can do all of it inside the computer.
When your happy with your mix, you convert it to a stereo signal, burn it to CD, add a snapshot of yourself and three buddies jaywalking and "Voila" you gotsa hit!

Learning to do the actual recording is a steep curve. The rest will kind of fall into line.
So here's what you must read. http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
This guy is good. Just be patient with him.
 
Yeah, I've actually read a lot of those guides, they were very helpful. I understand that i can do everything on my computer, but I am one of the people that perfers real knobs/faders to play with, so i was looking for a way to bring it back out onto a mixer. Computer screens and mouse clicks just aren't as good, in my opinion.

BTW, it's worth mentioning that i'm not a drummer, infact, that is one of the few most often used instruments in (popular) recording that i can't play at all (bass being the other one). I would consider myself primarily a vocalist.
 
Then I would suggest that you start looking at one of two things.
An audio interface that also serves as a control surface or a digital recorder.
I've already told you what I have so you can check them out. There's also the Tascam Neo which I would take seriously and finally, brand new on the market.... The Zoom R16.. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600773-REG/Zoom_R16_R16_Multi_Track_Recorder.html This is an incredible machine which acts as a stand alone recorder, audio interface and control surface.
If I didn't already have the Korg, I'd be all over it.
 
Ok, i looked up that link, thank you for recommending that mixer. I can get two of those small little mixers for the price of 1 larger analog mixer with 8 busses, and have 16 channels instead of 8, and i could use the cubase software while i'm at it.

I will probably get that mixer, and it should fulfill my needs (acting as a controller for cubase allowing me to not have to use that dumb old mouse too much)

Thanks
 
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