Software for PC

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statecap

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I have a Compaq Pc.
It has the sound card that was in the machine when purchased (New).
I have a "A", "C", and "E" drives
Also a CD burner.

I heard once that you can install some sort of software program in this machine that will allow you to be able to record separate tracks from your 4 track recorder into the computer.
At which pointe you can add effects to the tracks and mixdown via the computer or record back to the 4 track for additional tracking.
This sounds just like what I need to add the effects I am looking for to a 424 MK III without going out and spending the money to buy a digital recording machine.

Can someone help me?

TKU

Marty
 
You can transfer tracks one at a time to multitrack software like n-Track - www.fasoft.com - then mix them down. You just need a cable going from the Line-Outs of the 424 into the Line-In of the soundcard. To record all four tracks simultaneously you'd need a soundcard with four separate inputs and software which can record four tracks simultaneously. N-tracks can do this. The soundcard would cost though. The recording section on the 424 usually becomes redundant when you get such software because you can now record directly to the software multitracker, through the 424? Maybe I misunderstood the question? Wouldn't be the first time.
 
If you mis-understood it, it's most likely because I wasn't clear.

This is the game plan;

1)Record 4 tracks on the 424
2)Send each one of those tracks into the PC
3)Add effects to my liking
4)Mixdown within the computer
5)Transfer that mix to a CD

Better?

Marty
 
4-track to digital-- gettin'n*sync!!

Statecap-- why not just record *directly* onto the hard drive? Chances are that the quality will be better. If you lack a mixer/preamp, you sould get by with using the 424 as one for a bit...

If you do wanna record the tracks on the 424 first and then transfer them, you can do it with almost any card--just not at the same time. If your card has one stereo input, that's essentially two channels... take tracks 1&2, pan hard left and right respectively, and record to PC. Save (as "1-2.wav", or something). Repeat for 3&4.

AT this point you could split the files (save left channel of the first wav as "track1.wav", the right channel "track2.wav", likewise for the wav of tracks 3&4), but you'd find a problem at mixdown-- tracks one and two in sync with each other, three and four in sync with each other-- but NOT in sync altogether! The analog machine will run a slightly different speed every time it's played; you might not even notice sync problems until the end of a song!!:eek:

What I'd do here is take the wanted musical portions of the 1-2.wav file and compare it to the wanted musical portions of the 3-4.wav file. Identify which one is SHORTER. Then, open the LONGER file in a sound editor. Then, using the "Time Compress/Expand" feature in SOund Forge or another editor, "time compress" the music on the longer file to match the length of the shorter file's music. (Time compression sounds better than time expansion.) NOW you can split and save the tracks so you have four separate tracks as they were on the 424, ready to effect/mix, with a minimum of processing. This is what I do to remix my crappy old 4-track recpordings on the PC.

I hope this made sense; I just started blathering away! :)
 
Would I be better if I were to just go out and buy a 788 or the like instead of messing around with this??
 
Personally, I think direct-to-PC recording is your best bet. You already have a 'pooter, you can get software for free/cheap.... why buy another piece of gear?

Are your effects plugins or outboard stuff? That could change the equation.... But you seem to want to do effects and mixing on the PC. So why not just record to the PC as well, leaving the cassette tape out of it entirely? Then you get all the tracks and effects you want, without the tape hiss or the loss from sending tracks from analog to digital and back to analog to go back to digital (424.PC.424.PC...) You CAN do it, but doing it that way *will* sound lousy before long!
 
Thank you......I will give that try.

Someone gave me the address for "N-Track"

I'll try it and see if that does what I want.

If it does work, know anyone in the market for a 424???
 
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