Simultaneous Multitracking

  • Thread starter Thread starter Imalazypup
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Imalazypup

Imalazypup

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Hi everyone,

Super noob here looking to get some help from some people smarter than myself.

I'm looking to record multiple (I'd be happy with even 2) tracks at the same time (For example, if I sang and played guitar at the same time, one track would be vocals (guitar would bleed into mic I'm sure) and one would be the guitar). Obviously this would allow me to manipulate each track as I please. My mediocre voice could use some reverb, but my guitar doesn't :)

My current, relative set up is:

Mics (I have multiple) -> analog mixer (Peavy PV8) -> M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB -> Laptop running Reaper (windows 7 32bit)

The mixer is using the L and R main outs to connect to the fast track.

I greatly appreciate the help and/or effort in advance.
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrackPro

Is that the interface you have? (There's a couple different models) Plug in the mics and record, what's the problem? The mixer is probably useless, unless it has spdif outputs (which it prolly doesnt), then you could run 2 more tracks into the fasttrack and record 4 tracks at once. Plug your mics directly into the fasttrack, there's no point in having the mixer in there, it's just another piece of equipment adding noise to your chain.
 
suprstar said:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrackPro

Is that the interface you have? (There's a couple different models) Plug in the mics and record, what's the problem? The mixer is probably useless, unless it has spdif outputs (which it prolly doesnt), then you could run 2 more tracks into the fasttrack and record 4 tracks at once. Plug your mics directly into the fasttrack, there's no point in having the mixer in there, it's just another piece of equipment adding noise to your chain.
Click to expand...
+1 The FastTrack Pro was designed to work as your interface, no need for a mixer.

Sure, you can use a mixer if you want to capture everything in stereo via Fast Track Pro. However, the Fast Track Pro is misleading as it's 2 analog In and 2 SPDIF In, and MIDI. Therefore, you won't get 4 analog In.

Since you are recording voice and guitar = 2 tracks, the Fast Track Pro is perfect for your situation. And you can still record additional tracks, 2 more at a time.

If you still want to be connected to your mixer, I suggest PAN the vocal Mic to Left, and your Guitar to Right. Then, in your Recording software specify Left as a mono track, and Right as a Mono Track = 2 tracks.
 
More of the same-Lose the mixer. The fast track already does everything you are asking for, and the mixer doesn't help. It just adds noise to your signal chain. Many noobs don't understand that a mixer is precisely designed to do the reverse of what you are trying to do. It makes a bunch of tracks into 2 tracks, not the other way around. In other words, it mixes them together. Plug your mics into the Fast Track, send them to the computer, and then process and mix the tracks in whatever recording software you have, In this case, the mixer is the problem, not the solution. You use a mixer when you have more sources than inputs. So, for instance, you could plug a bunch of mics (usually drums) into the mixer, and create a submix, so all the drums are on one or two channels. You have to get it right going in, though, because once it is recorded, you can't change the relative volume of those tracks, or process them individually. For your stated mission, it's just a hindrance.-Richie
 
Thanks for the help guys! Much appreciated.

I took the mixer out of the mix, but now I need to figure out how to choose the correct channel (?) for each track. Right now I am able to record each mic as a seperate track, but only by selecting Mono and doing the Left/Right thing.

I'm sure there is a better way, but I just don't see source option to designate correctly, I just need to learn Reaper a bit more.


Thanks again!
 
As far as I understand what you are saying, that *is* the right way, and I don't know of a better one.-Richie
 
Right now I am able to record each mic as a seperate track
Click to expand...

Then mission accomplished. Its not only 'the right way', it's just THE way! What's the question again? AFter it's recorded, the track is a track. The source it was recorded from is irrelevant.
 
Yup, what these guys said... you want two mono tracks.

I also suggest you play through the song one time with just the guitar and use both mics on it. One up close near the 12th fret, the other back a foot or three. Record two mono tracks, one for each mic. Then play the song again, one mic on the guitar and the other for vocal. Yup, you'll get bleed, no problem, though.
 
Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

Chili, thanks for the advice, I will be sure to do that.


I really appreciate the help :)
 
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