Really stupid/basic analog question...but I'm learning here!!!

[rian4224]

Ok, I have a quick (noob) question.

Say I record a couple tracks via an all-in-one analog tape recorder (let's say a Tascam 388)...have some fun mixing it down, getting the tracks layered to where I want them, got the "analog mojo" going...and hey, I got my song. (I'm keeping things basic here)

So I have my finished product (or rough draft finished product) and whether I'm satisfied with the finished song and just want to convert it to digital format and store it on my PC/Mac...or want to take the indiviual tracks and mix/master/screw around with them on a PC/Mac DAW...HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

I guess what I'm asking is what is the process for recording and mixing with an analog recorder and then transfering a finished product to a PC/Mac?...whether it's just for the convienence of digital storage or further digital playing.

Is it simple? What other hardware/items would one need other than a tape recorder and a PC/Mac?

Stupid question maybe, but I would like to know!

Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[ido1957]

1. Rewind tape
2. Turn up fader #1 Turn all other faders to zero
3. Connect the main outs -> USB/Firewire Interface -> Computer with a Recording Software Program like Sonar.
4. Set up a new track in your software and assign the connection to that track
5. Click the record button on the software, press the play button on the tape recorder.
6. When the whole track has payed and has been transferred to the computer, press STOP
7. Repeat for all tracks on your tape recorder
8. Maniplulate the tracks so the are in sync on the computer because now way will they be in alignment.

 

[rian4224]

Thanks...so if you mixed the tracks on the 388 or whatever platform you recorded it on and were happy with the final song and didn't want to mix it on a DAW, I would just record the finshed song on the DAW software and be done, right?

So basically you need at least some sort of DAW software to transfer songs from a recorder to a PC?...would that be because the DAW software would have to convert the file to .wav, midi or mp3?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Thanks...so if you mixed the tracks on the 388 or whatever platform you recorded it on and were happy with the final song and didn't want to mix it on a DAW, I would just record the finshed song on the DAW software and be done, right?

So basically you need at least some sort of DAW software to transfer songs from a recorder to a PC?...would that be because the DAW software would have to convert the file to .wav, midi or mp3?

You don't need a DAW, though that would work. You just need any software that can record an input. At least as important would be the hardware you use to convert to digital and send the audio into the computer. You may be happy with your built-in sound card, but most here will strongly suggest a proper audio interface for better quality.

Don't record it as mp3, use a format that doesn't wreck the quality of the audio right off the bat. You can always make an mp3 copy for online distribution if needed. MIDI is not audio, it's just data that represents musical actions like piano keys being hit etc. It gets converted to audio by sound modules or VSTi.

 

[adamsph]

Alright i have a question regarding a Yamaha 1602 mixer. I received yesterday and it worked perfectly before i brought it home. Now when i plugged it in it has to be turned all the way up for noise to barely come out. I have checked the fuses and they are fine. What could be doing this?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

If a fuse burned out the mixer wouldn't power up. What inputs are you connecting to the mixer, and what are you listening with? Do you have a solo button pushed? Are channels muted?