Transferring from analogue to digital

[Kopacabana]

Hi there

This is my first post so please be kind!

Many years ago I used to make music using a Fostex analogue 4-track. I am now keen to go back to making music but first I would like to transfer all those old tapes into a digital format.

Now I know next to nothing about digital recording but I would have thought that this should be fairly simple to do. I imagine one would would have to play back each of the 4 tracks, one-by-one, into a mixing / recording program and then calibrate / quantise it once all the 4 tracks are in.

Am I right to think this? Is there specific software that will allow me to do this, or would something simple like Mixcraft do the trick?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[jcmastering]

It's preferable to transfer all tracks at the same time. You'll need an interface with as many inputs and most recording software can do this.

 

[Farview]

You really want to do it all at once. Tape machines don't run the same speed all the time so, over the course of four 15 minute passes, you will end up with timing and tuning problems.

Four input interfaces can be had for pretty cheap.

 

[Massive Master]

Software is the easy part - You need an interface with (at least) 4 I/O to connect the four-track machine. You probably don't need balanced connections (although it wouldn't hurt either) and you'll probably find that going in one-by-one will give you four tracks that don't quite line up with each other - 4-track machines, and the tapes they use, are notoriously difficult to sync.

 

[Kopacabana]

Thanks a lot for your help guys.

I imagine I could find a suitable accessory that will take my 4 'outs' into a single 'in' on my laptop. Can anyone give me some guidance as to where I should look for one?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Thanks a lot for your help guys.

I imagine I could find a suitable accessory that will take my 4 'outs' into a single 'in' on my laptop. Can anyone give me some guidance as to where I should look for one?

Such interfaces usually will connect to your computer via either USB or FireWire (FireWire usually being preferred for anything more than 2 channels at a time), so as long as you have a free port on your PC, you're cooking with gas.

Check out www.musiciansfriend.com, www.sweetwater.com, www.bhphotovideo.com and the like and search on "interface". Last time I loooked, there were not a whole lot of 4-channel interfaces - manufacturers seem to like to mostly jump from 2-channel to 8-channel - but they are out there.

G.

 

[Kopacabana]

Cracking advice guys. Thanks.

Off to buy a '4-into-1'......

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Oops, I forgot to mention that these interfaces almost always come with the software you need to record and mix your tracks on the computer, no extra purchase required.

G.

 

[Massive Master]

You don't want "4-into 1" -- You want 4 (or more) into 4 (again, or more).

 

[Kopacabana]

Well, physically I need a '4-into-1'. 4 outputs from my 4-track going into 1 physical input into my laptop (presuming there is such a device that will allo wme to do this).

 

[Daisy]

Well, physically I need a '4-into-1'. 4 outputs from my 4-track going into 1 physical input into my laptop (presuming there is such a device that will allo wme to do this).

... If you consider a firewire or USB 2.0 port as an "input."

In which case, yes, there are plenty.

 

[SonicAlbert]

I think you are not quite understanding the concept.

You need a firewire or USB audio interface that will accept four inputs. You need 4 into 4, not 4 into 1.

Even though the computer may have one USB input or one firewire input, you can buy interfaces that will allow you to record four inputs at a time into your computer, through that one connector. That is indeed what you need.

 

[Kopacabana]

I think you are not quite understanding the concept.

You need a firewire or USB audio interface that will accept four inputs. You need 4 into 4, not 4 into 1.

Even though the computer may have one USB input or one firewire input, you can buy interfaces that will allow you to record four inputs at a time into your computer, through that one connector. That is indeed what you need.

I think I understand the concept but it's the practicality I am having trouble with. I do have a distinct lack of knowledge when it comes to digital recording.

Can you point me in the right direction for the type of equipment I will need?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

There's not a whole lot available in a 4-channel format. Most of them are 2x2 or 8x8 or more, with not a lot in-between.

But something like this is what you'd be looking for.

G.

 

[Farview]

Google firewire audio interface and you will find a bunch of things. If you don't have a firewire port, google USB audio interface.

 

[Hi_Flyer]

M-Audio Delta 44

Its not FW or USB, its a PCI card.

Kinda dated technology, as a result they are available for el cheapo. Look for used audio cards on ebay.

 

[Kopacabana]

Thanks G.

So I'd have to link 2 outputs from my mixer into 1 input, and the other 2 outputs into the other input? Is it as simple as that?

Plus, the PreSonus has Cubase onboard so I presume that's my other problem solved of what software to 'record' my 4 tracks onto?

 

[soldierone]

M-Audio Delta 44

Its not FW or USB, its a PCI card.

Kinda dated technology, as a result they are available for el cheapo. Look for used audio cards on ebay.

A PCI card would work fine on a desktop, but I believe he was wanting to add the interface to his laptop. For the cards on those, you would be looking at PCMCIA cards, which there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of out there in the configuration he's looking for. On a laptop, your best bet would be USB or firewire as you can't pop a PCI card in the same way you would on a desktop system.

 

[soldierone]

Thanks G.

So I'd have to link 2 outputs from my mixer into 1 input, and the other 2 outputs into the other input? Is it as simple as that?

Plus, the PreSonus has Cubase onboard so I presume that's my other problem solved of what software to 'record' my 4 tracks onto?

The box that G recommends has two inputs on the front and two on the back. You would send each of your four outputs to each of the four inputs.

Also, with the Cubase that's included, you would be able to record the tracks into there and you're ready to mix.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

So I'd have to link 2 outputs from my mixer into 1 input, and the other 2 outputs into the other input? Is it as simple as that?

Well, on that particular model, if I read the specs right, it has 2 XLR ins on the front that can be used for 2 of your mixer outs (they can be used for either line level or mic level, so no prob. there), and it has 2 1/4" line ins on the back, which should allow you to use all 4 at the same time.

Plus, the PreSonus has Cubase onboard so I presume that's my other problem solved of what software to 'record' my 4 tracks onto?

Yep. Virtually all of these kind of interfaces come bundled with the software already, Cubase being among one of the more common ones included, and it'll do everything you need it to for your situation and more.

G.