Sonar 4.......some questions

[cj_equitality]

Okay thanks alot, so if i was wanting at least four mics on the drumikit alone, i would need to get a sound card with at least two line ins on my soundcard?(if i was to record track by track)

Thanks

 

[crosstudio]

Okay i kind of understand...

So would i be able to record say 16 tracks using an average soundcard with jut one line-in, although Sonar has up to 32 tracks :S

I've got the tascam fw-1884 which is a digital mixer. it allows you to record 8 tracks at a time.

I've also got the edirol FA-101 which is an external D/A/D (no mixer) which allows you to record 8 tracks at a time.

both work using the firewire (1394) port (not usb) on your PC. the difference is that the FW-1884 will give you all the qualities of a traditional mixer whereas the FA-101 is basicly an external soundcard and you'll be using the mouse for everything.

 

[dachay2tnr]

Okay thanks alot, so if i was wanting at least four mics on the drumikit alone, i would need to get a sound card with at least two line ins on my soundcard?(if i was to record track by track)

Thanks

Yeah, that's pretty much right. Except when you get to multi-input sound cards, you typically find that the connections are no longer stereo line-in ports, but rather individual mono connections. So most likely it won't have two line ins, but rather 4-input connections. Depending on the manufacturer, the type of connections used will vary. Some have RCA jacks, while others have 1/4" phone jacks (i.e., a guitar jack), etc.

BTW, you also need pre-amps - since the sound card requires a line level signal (hence the term, Line In ). However, you indicated you will be using a mixer. That will work as the pre-amps for you. You can not plug a mic or guitar directly into (most) sound cards without boosting the signal first. Some, however, do have built-in pre-amps.

Sounds to me like you need to do some research on sound cards. Everybody's got their own preference and pocketbook in this area, however, you wouldn't go too wrong with one of the M-audio Delta series. http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=pciinterfaces

 

[cj_equitality]

Ah okay i pretty much understand but just need to know one other thing... sorry about all the questions haha.

Yeah anyway my computer just has the stock soundcard with one Line In.

How would i record two seperate tracks using the one Line In?

Or is that where the mixer comes in? :S

Haha see when we decided to start recording i just thought it would be a piece of piss, just recording through software but then i realized it goes a little deeper than that.....

Oh well thanks for your help, does anyone know any good websites that have the basics of all this so i dont need to keep asking questions?

And oh yeah, what would be better to use, Guitar Pro 3 or Sonar 4 Producers Edition?

Thanks

 

[dachay2tnr]

How would i record two seperate tracks using the one Line In?

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--HOSYPP117

 

[cj_equitality]

Oh right thanks, could i record two different guitar parts (one through each of the two Mono inputs on the "y" cable put through the stereo tracks) and then pan them both center?

Would that in, effect, result similair to recording two stereo tracks, one each. (Minus the whole 3d surround sound feel)?