whats the best way to record from the soundcard to a tascam 424

[CDT-sHaG]

whats the best way to record from the soundcard to a tascam 424? i have a 1/8" mini to a 1/4" tsr that i tried and it seems "noisy"..like interference..if i take the slide on the 4-track channel above 5...do i need some sort of adapter or a different cable?? im using fruity loops to do my drum tracks and i want to record the rest on the 424.....

also..is there a stereo cable i can use to record (in stereo) on 2 of the 4 tracks on the 424 from the soundcard???

thanks for the help...

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

No disrespect intended, but why would you want to record on the Tascam instead of the computer?

 

[drstawl]

The 424 is just noisy. Sorry. Get some good cables (again, sorry- good 1/8" cables don't exist IMHO) and do the best you can.

The weakest link may be the soundcard with the 1/8" input.

It really depends on how noisy your particular 424 is.

Some of them (soundcards with 1/8" inputs) are worse than others even among the same brand and model!

Look into a soundcard with some better input hardware.

You'll get a quiet signal much more consistently.

>also..is there a stereo cable i can use to record (in stereo) on 2 of the 4 tracks on the 424 from the soundcard???

Sure- just send the computer tracks to two of the input tracks on the 424. That would be 1/8" stereo to two 1/4" mono jacks. The stereo effect will be produced on mixdown (playback) from the 424.

The newer 424s have XLR inputs I think, but the concept is the same.

 

[CDT-sHaG]

No disrespect intended, but why would you want to record on the Tascam instead of the computer?

oh..none taken at all...

the thing is this..i used the 424 for a long time in song writing..what i did was record bass and guitar and vocals...

now..i have access to a drum machine (fruity loops)..and what i want to do is record the drum track to the 424 for recording my other things..use it to rehearse and compose my other song parts...

the thing is that in this digital world noise is everywhere...and sync'ing everything in the pc is tough for me (i'm not a recording guru..just a player lol)...

i mean if i leave the drum tracks on the pc, how in the hell do i sync up the tracks i record on the 424 once i record them into my pc...? when do i hit "play" ..lol...?

it's the extreme basics of sync'ing up everything on the pc im having a tough time understanding...and how i can reduce noise even when recording straight to the 424...?

I'm realizing (after reading around here and listening to samples)that i might just get a good sound card and record straight to my pc...it's just that i'm so comfortable with my 424 i hate to let go...the technology is distracting me lol...i wish i could just record and let someone else mix it for me..geeze lol...

 

[Gidge]

i would try doing it all all computer.....you may want to download the shareware version of N-Track from www.fasoft.com ....it is pretty much set up similar to a 4 track machine....a bunch of people here use it so any snags you run into can be quickly resolved......if you have a decent enough computer you can easily get AT LEAST 4 tracks.......you can import your drum track from fruity loops into N-Track and record your other tracks there.....if portability is an issue, stay with the 424 and use the setup drstawl mentioned.....

what are the specs of your computer and do you know what soundcard it has.....

 

[CDT-sHaG]

oh yeah..i built and have upgraded this thing for 3 years...

P3 933
256mb pc-133 RAM
Geforce2 GTS 32mb
Sound Blaster Ensoniq PCI (your are the weakest link..goodbye!)
40gb 7200rpm maxtor IDE HDrive
Winblows 98 SE

i do 3d modeling, graphics, web design and gaming on this thing mostly..

I think n-track may be the way to go...or the free pro tools..i dunno...

i guess i could use the mixer of my 424 for a preamp and inputs.....or should i get a small preamp like this one: http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=p.ART127&z=1183949216550 for recording voice, bass and a mic'd acoustic...???

thanks..