tascam 424III and my computer

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parisric

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was wondering if i can hook the 4 track to the computer and download the mix there to burn a cd, if so is there special software or hardware that i might need. the computer is new the tascam is older.
 
You can. There are a few ways this can be accomplished.

One way would be to connect the line out from the tascam to the line in on your soundcard. Depending on your budget, you can purchase a nice soundcard and the editing software to really make a nice mix or you could just use what you got. Really depends on your vision of the end product...

There are a plethora of resources available on this bbs to determine what you need, if so desired.

Anyways, you could connect the tascam to the pc and send one track at a time to the computer where you could put them all together later.

Or, you could go with the easier method of mixing down from the tascam to a cassette. Connect a cassette player to the line in jack of the soundcard (using a 1/8"M to 1/8"M will do the trick for a basic set up...found at radio shack for a couple dollars). You can use any type of wav editor software, such as creative labs wave studio - quite lo-fi. Keep in mind you aren't going to get the best sound quality here...but it will work.

I used this method for a while to listen to quick demos in the car. It helped me think of parts to add while driving to work. Worked well until I hooked up a makeshift studio in the car - went way overboard...that's another story though... ;)
 
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ive forgotten if the tascam mk3 has 4 individual outs for the 4 tracks ...
but if it does then using a 4 input sound card you could record the 4 tracks to 4 computer tracks.....recording tracks individually to the pc can sometimes be a problem due to any speed variations of the tascam.
however if your lucky with the tascam and its perfect speed each time
it might be doable. a trick is to put a drum machine click on all 4 tracks before the song on tascam starts then record on the computer in multitrack software and line up the clicks after by editing.
but its a bit hairy.
 
I used to have a 424 mkIII and cannot recall 4 channel outputs. I believe it only had stereo RCA outs. I may be confusing it with another model but I'm fairly sure. I'll check.
 
Shit. I hate being wrong.

Definitely has individual track outs. Sorry for the misinformation.
 
parisric said:
was wondering if i can hook the 4 track to the computer and download the mix there to burn a cd, if so is there special software or hardware that i might need. the computer is new the tascam is older.
You need only purchase a cable that has an 1/8th in TRS plug for your soundcard's input, with two RCA plugs on the other end for the TASCAMs Line Out jacks.

As for software, there are many that fill the bill, and some are freeware and shareware. I use MusicMatch's Jukebox, but paid for it. Your new PC may already have something workable on it.
 
i want to thank those who offered their help, i will ge the things that i need and probably be back with more questions. Music is something i always enjoyed and reaching my mid 50's want to try my hand at creating and recording my own, i see it as an alternative to maybe being a greeter at my local Wal Mart. talk to you later , thanks again ,, ric
 
freeware

a quick search for 'free sound recorder' will bring a host of replies, windows sound recorder will do in a pinch though for some retarded reason it wasn't designed to record for more than a minute (file size concerns?) you can just record blank for a minute and then start recording again at the end of the file until you have a blank .wav long enough to record your song onto. but there's better free stuff out there...

here's a link:

http://www.free-sound-recorders.com/link.htm
 
osus. if you try what i use , i think you will be impressed
with what 49 bucks buys you.
48 tracks of audio/midi multitracking, editing, and effects etc.
try the demo of powertracks at pgmusic.com.
you'll be surprised at the features.
i was happy to pay the money after trying all the free software.
basically you get a full blown recording studio in your pc.
keep an open mind and try the demo.
another i like and use is magix musioc studio.
peace.
 
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