simple mutitrack recording

[ecord]

So right now I am using a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard that came with my dell. There is a line-in, a mic-in , and a Versajack that can be set as analog line-in (all 1/8"), it also has a MIDI/joystick port. Does this mean I can record three seperate tracks at once? If yes, what mixer do I get in order to do this? I know if I get a cheap mixer I can plug in a couple mics into the mixer but it would only record as one track since it is just going in one of the line-in ports. Is there a way to have it go into all three line-ins using one mixer? Basically, the only recording I am doing is acoustic guitar and vocals, no keybord,drums or anything else. I want to use two mics to record the guitar in stereo and one mic for vocals and record all at once each mic on a different track, can I do it? with the soundcard I have already? oh right, what mics should i get for the guitar and vocals for around $50-$100 bucks each mic? Thanks again for the help

 

[PoetSleep00]

Well first it depends on the type of soundcard it is. If it is able to record two at once, then i suppose you could use it with a compatible recordng program. However with all honesty, I'd purchase a new soundcard for your pc. I used to own a Delta 44 card which wasn't expensive. The difference between cards is the data transfer rate and the quality of the transmission. I think the best deal out there is the ProTools MBOX. You can get it for $500, maybe less on ebay. Its the best for two track recording. The only problem is expanding the system beyong 2 tracks. But It is a great solution for 2 track recording or vocal overdubs.

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

You will be better off, in the long run, purchsing a new soundcard..

Take a look at M-Audio.

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

M Audio


http://www.midiman.net/index.php?do=products.list&ID=pciinterfaces

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

Also take a look at some of the Shure mics ......

SM 57

SM 58

http://musiciansfriend.com/


http://www.sweetwater.com/

 

[ecord]

Thanks guys,
Am I going to be able to record three tracks at the same time with the Audiophile 2496, Emu 1212M or the Delta 44? If yes to all three, do I still go through a mixer? One last thing the Shure 58 and 57 are both good for guitar and vocals? or is the 58 for vocal and 57 for guitar? thanks again

 

[ecord]

by the way I am using all mics one vocal and two for the guitar so with these new soundcard do i just plug the mics into it or do i need mic pre's and stuff. Thanks for the help I just want to get this going

 

[AlChuck]

The Delta 44 can record 4 tracks simultaneously, but it has no mic preamps, so you would need an external mixer unless all your sources were line level.

The Audiophile has only two line-level inputs, but it does have a S/PDIF port, so you could record four tracks if two of them were from sources that you could connect via S/PDIF. It also has no mic preamps.

The Emu is new, I know nothing about it...

The SM-57 is frequently used as a guitar mic and for snare drum. I'd guess the SM-58 makes a better vocal mic, but for vocals you might also consider a nice condenser mic, there are many inexpensive ones available these days from Rode, Studio Projects, M-Audio, etc.

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

I agree with everything AlChuck said.