Using AA 1.5 and try to figure out how to interface multiple inputs.

[jaz2375]

I have been using AA 1.5 for a couple of years with a single mic directly into the mic jack on my sound card and its been working fine. But now I want to record each instrament to its own track using multitrack. Everyone is saying get an external mixing board, but I don't wanna spend that kind of money unless I have to. I though AA could be the mixing board for me. I just don't know how to record using multitrack. Do I need a midi interface that connects usb? Thats what someone told me, but I though midi was for keyboards. I am lost and searching for a device that I don't even know exists.

Any info you be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

jz

 

[lpdeluxe]

USB (or Firewire) is the best bet. I've been using a Korg D888 to record band rehearsals with, then connecting it to the computer and importing the tracks into 1.5 for editing.

Anyhow, there are a number of interfaces that accept up to 8 mic inputs and connect to your computer via USB or Firewire. If you go to any online music dealer's website and go to their recording department, you'll find a great many such interfaces at a great many price points.

You designate the USB device inputs in Options/Device Order. At one point I had two Terratec sound cards in my computer, and I was able to route inputs from either card to any track for recording.

MIDI doesn't do much with AA. The only thing I use it for is the Mackie Control Universal control surface. To load the firmware update that allows it to work with CEP and AA, I had to download the MIDI file from Mackie's website, then play it back through Winamp since AA won't play back MIDI.

 

[danny.guitar]

How many separate tracks do you want to record at once? That will ultimately determine what kind of sound card/interface you need.

However many separate tracks you want to record, is how many inputs your sound card will need.

My sound card (Audiophile 24/96) has 2 inputs. This means I can only record 2 separate tracks at once. Getting a mixer will not solve that problem. It will let you record more than 2 sources, but you will still not be able to get more than 2 separate tracks on your computer. The mixer will "mix" those separate signals and send it to your computer as a single, already-mixed, stereo track.

What you're looking for is an interface. This could be PCI, USB, or FireWire. I recommend PCI, then FireWire, and I'd advise you to stay away from USB if possible.

Edit: A couple more things...

Most built-in sound cards have a Line In jack, which is what you are probably using. In most cases, this is a stereo jack. Which gives you 2 channels, or 2 possible separate tracks. One track would record from the left channel, the other from the right.

And nowadays, FireWire might actually be better than PCI unless you can find a PCIe (express) interface. Either FireWire or PCI(e) would be good.