New PC-Based Studio: Multiple Track Recording?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:57 pm

Hi folks, I'm new here and just setting up a small recording studio. I build computers for a living and thus will be setting up a PC-based recording rig. I have a couple Blue Snowball mics but would like to use an assortment of regular (XLR, not USB) mics as well. I would like to be able to record into multiple track editing software on my PC. I have the option to buy a Yamaha MG16 mixer at a great price but I am not sure how to get each mic recording to an individual track. I don't want to just single track recording ... I'd like to have one track for each mic and be able to edit each individually later as my ears and taste in sound are extremely picky. As I understand it, the typical way to connect a mixer to a PC is connecting a single mixer output to the sound card's line in jack ... doing that, I would end up with a single track containing everythign recorded, which is not what I want.

Is the MG16 useless in my situation? The only reason I'm very interested in using it if I can is that my funds are limited and I can get a great deal on one.

I saw there are some XLR to USB adapters available and read that their quality is decent (so I could directly connect and record each mic into its own track)... but at $100+ per mic ... it's not feasible for the number of mics I may find myself using simultaneously.

I have been doing a lot of reading and apologize if my questions are dumb ... but I did use the search and didn't find an answer. Thanks for your time!

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:38 pm

Aw bugger, we really need a beginner's guide, hang on, lemme google something up...Ah, here we go.

http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/ComputerRecording1.htm

Try this out for size and see if you're basic questions are answered, then come back and ask for gear suggestions, but then you'll know what you need. Good luck,

Nathan

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:51 pm

What you need is called an "interface".

If you're using mics (this speaks for itself), you need an interface with mic preamps in it, one preamp per mic.

Soundcard Wizard
This maybe isn't the most comprehensive list but it has enough on it to get by.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:56 pm

Thanks folks, I appreciate your replies and information. Here is what I have found thus far:

http://www.studica.com/products/product_detail.cfm?productid=12657

I would like to have 8 XLR connections for mics and also be able to plug in two or three guitars. Can I assume that the 8 mic/line inputs on this unit have preamps? I also take it I would have to use some of those 8 to plug in the instruments. I would rather have 8 mic inputs free in ADDITION to instrument inputs but considering I'm on a budget and this interface is only $250 I guess I can't complain. I'm open to your ideas!

Edit to add, here's another I found, what of it?

http://www.musicgoround.com/gear/inventorydetails.asp?id=644318

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:22 pm

Just in case it makes any difference, all I want is to get signal from mics and instruments into my computer. I don't need any EQs or level adjustment, I can do all that in software. Just as long as I can get the original sound cleanly in where I can work on it. I guess I need preamps as well but that to my knowledge is all.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:59 am

The top one from Studica (the Alesis MultiMix) is
A) Not sold anymore.
B) Does have preamps, but
C) Will do the same as the MG16 you mentioned to begin with, but via a USB cable. The USB captures from the Stereo Mix.

The Firepod is a good choice. Yes, that's preamps.
FP10 This is the new version of the Firepod you're looking at. Dunno how much has changed.
You can daisychain these, and add another later on (for 16 inputs up to maybe 32) if you need them, but it needs Firewire.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:24 am

The board you're looking at will only let you pull in the stereo mix, i.e. the master mix from the board into your computer, not each channel individually, so your mixing will have to be live, because afterwards you'll only have left and right to play with, not "Guitar" "Kick" "Snare" "Vocals" etc. Just so you know...

Nathan

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:10 am

Thanks again ... so is there no sub-$1000 way to get mics recorded simultaneously to individual channels on my computer? If it makes any difference, I'm comfortable and experienced in modifying electronics and computers, so if I had more information on the inner workings of audio equipment maybe I could create my own interface.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:44 am

There is: the FP10/Firepod/Firesomething you were looking at which has 8 preamps (which are attached to the combined XLR/line inputs for guitars) would get you 8 separate channels.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:52 am

So each mic connected to the FP10 will be recorded by a multitrack recording program into an individual channel, all through a single Firewire connection?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:56 am

basilbowman wrote:

The board you're looking at will only let you pull in the stereo mix, i.e. the master mix from the board into your computer, not each channel individually, so your mixing will have to be live, because afterwards you'll only have left and right to play with, not "Guitar" "Kick" "Snare" "Vocals" etc. Just so you know...

Nathan

Not true. Bussing will allow at least 4 seperate channels. If your comfortable with making your own patch cords you can use any one of the 8 i/o points on the back to route sound for a total of 12 channels out.

Around here the presonus firepod gets good press which would eliminate the need for an external board.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:57 am

"So each mic connected to the FP10 will be recorded by a multitrack recording program into an individual channel, all through a single Firewire connection?"

Yes.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:02 am

Thanks for the answer Codemonkey ... I'm getting somewhere!

Space wrote:

Bussing will allow at least 4 seperate channels. If your comfortable with making your own patch cords you can use any one of the 8 i/o points on the back to route sound for a total of 12 channels out.

I'm very interested in this. But for each I/O channel on the back that I use as an output, don't I sacrifice an input?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:04 am

I'd work with Codemonkey, you don't need another obstacle in your signal chain at this point.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:09 am

Space, I just got my head round mixer grouping, to hell with bussing. Anything I can't get hands on with is still 50% over my head so don't take anything I say for gold (if you haven't worked that out already lol).

Stick with the FP10 or something with sufficient pres and in your price range, Presonus seems to be all over the place with their naming over the years.

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