Really Basic Question

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wgbllb

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I have cakewalk sonar and an audigy platinum soundcard. I want to record jam sessions with friends, recording each instrument individually but simultaneously using the various input connections on my soundcard.

Can this be done with this hardware/software combo? If so, how do I do it? Does it all go to 1 track or several? If it's not possible with the stuff I have, what would I need to record like this?

Thanks
 
You need a multi-input soundcard. One input for each instrument you want to record simultaneously to separate tracks.

Check out the catalogs. Costs can start as low as $400 for an 10-input STAudio C-Port and expand to oh=my=garsh proportions.

Here's an example just for reference: http://www.tracertek.com/dsp24pro.htm
 
Yeah - the only way to do them all at once on seperate tracks is with a multi input card.

If you're not looking to spend that kind of money, you should record them one at a time.

What you can do is just all play at once but only record one instrument at a time.
DO drums first, then bass, then rythm guitar then lead then vocals.

Some of the sounds of others will spill onto the isolated track a bit, but much less if you work to isolate them!

It's cheaper too
 
You'll also have to be listening to what you already recorded, or use some tempo reference like a click, if the play-all-at-once-but-record-one-at-a-time scenario has any hope of suceeding.
 
Thanks so much for the help.....you wouldn't believe how much I read to find the answer to this seemingly simple question. It's so helpful to have people to ask.

OK, so I need a multi-input soundcard...if they start at $400 I guess thats not the best quality...what do they go up to? Is there a name brand that dominates this market?

Will Sonar work with these multi-input cards or do they have their own proprietary recording software?

If all this proves to be too much expense/hassle, is it possible to just mic a small jam room with 1 mic and get halfway decent sound? If so, what would be the recommended hardware in a consumer price range?

Thanks again
 
This is a hard question because there as a million good answers. It would help to know if you have any more equipment... do you have any microphones? Do you have an external mixer of any type?
With what you have now your first limiting factor is the connection between the mic and your computer. I'm assuming you have a sound card with 1/8 inch input jacks (mic and line). This can be used to get you started, but a standard computer mic will suck bad. You need a "real" microphone with an XLR connector. This has to have a mixer or soundcard "breakout box" to plug into. A mixer can be connected to the 1/8 jack with a trip to radio shack for an stereo 1/8 plug to 2 RCA adaptor.

Hope that helps...
 
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