Recording Tracks

[animaldan]

Hi Guys , very new here thanks for having me .

i am also very new to the world of recording/mixing . i have an arena PROMX-800 16-track mixing desk and i am using mixcraft 5 software on my laptop . I can record a single track from the desk to laptop no problems , what i want to do is record one track whilst the whole band is playing , can anyone advise as to how to set up the desk properly to do this .

Thanks in advance

 

[Massive Master]

With the stock interface, you're going to be limited to two tracks (or a single stereo track - Such as the board's output). If you make a mix of the entire band to the board's output, there you go. If you want (and most people would want) individual tracks of the elements of the band, you'd need an interface with as many I/O as you need individual elements. And as many individual preamps (no idea on your board if there are track outputs or not).

 

[animaldan]

recording tracks

thanks for that , need to spend some more money lol

 

[TimOBrien]

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $16
Amazon.com: Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies (9780470385425): Jeff Strong: Books

PC Recording Studios for Dummies - $16
Amazon.com: PC Recording Studios For Dummies (9780764577079): Jeff Strong: Books
(Wish I'd had those when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
Amazon.com: Recording Guitar and Bass: Getting a Great Sound Every Time You Record (Book) (9780879307301): Huw Price: Books
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Home Recording for Beginners by Geoffrey Francis
Amazon.com: Home Recording for Beginners (Artistpro) (9781598638813): Geoffrey Francis: Books


Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: The Best Audio Interfaces for your Home Studio by TweakHeadz Lab
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)