You need a soundcard with analog ins or/and a A/D converter.
I have RME Multiface2 with 8 analog and 10 digital ins. This plus 8 channel ADAT converter gives me 16 analog inputs to my DAW.
I'm planning to buy Allen&Heath mixer (2400 or 2800), are you satisfied with its sound?

Thanks for the reply. I had been using a mackie 24-4 mixer for the last 6 yeasr and loved that board and wanted to uograde to the mackie onyx 2480. However due to size I went with the GL2800 even though it cost more. I am very happy with the new A & H console. 8 bus / 10 aux send.

If you wanted to go with pro tools, you could have a double Delta 1010 (2 x 8 channels) and use PT M-Powered. If you want to use Logic (or pretty much any other program) check out some of the Motu interfaces. Cost a bit more, but much more reliable and better sounding than M-Audio.

Worked on a GL2800 this summer and had a blast. Classic A&H sound but under a fancier mask. :) In my opinion, well worth the money.

I use the RME Multiface2 also. Great way to get 16 channels of audio into your DAW. But you will need a adat lightpipe to get all 16, Like Robak said. I own a A&H mixwiz board and a Mackie Onyx . JMO, but I like the pre's in the Onyx better than the A&H. I don't use the inserts on the board
but use the balanced direct outs via a DB-25 connector on the Onyx.

Far as the Delta 1010. That's a good choice too, but I think the converters in the RME is a step up from the Delta. I have use both. I still own my 1010's, but don't use them anymore.

There's alot of software out there that can do what you want. Download some demo's and try them for yourself to see what works for you.
I would be useing ProTools myself but don't have the 6 figures it takes to own ProTools. I use V8 Sampulitude for my live recording and it works for me. I do own SonarPE and use it also. What works for one , won't work for another. Software is something you have to make your own mind up on.

Peace.........................Scoobie

Sam,

You know there's always more than one way to skin a cat...

The method I chose was for insurance... I track to HD24, THEN if I need to go ITB, I have that option. (I'm not 100% true DAW, yet.)

The reason I went HD is because the stability issues associated with ANY OS platform.

The HD24 gets you 24 tracks of relatively inexpensive, decent sounding A/D. You can lightpipe 8 tracks at a time in perfect sync. With the Fireport, file xfer is painless w/BWAV's.

With 2 HD24's, I can run 48 tracks or run one as backup to the other.

My .02

X

Thanks for A&H mixer tips.
As for soundcard I've had M-Audio 1010LT too. It's quite good and inexpensive card but the question is about live laptop recording so it's not apropriate. You need firewire/PCMCIA/usb 2.0 card. RME and MOTU make very good cards that are capable of recording 16 tracks. If it's too expensive than check Marian Ucon CX + Adcon ADAT converter or Emu 1616M + ADAT converter.