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Post subject: Recodign and mixing
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:17 am
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First of all I am very new at any recording type of process but I know where I want to go...so here are some questions for the Lounge Masters........

Info:

- My band at church is mixed through a standard 32 track board - the board is old and it is not digital - it can only be recorded through a cassette tape based on the mix off of that board.

- I want to be able to record as many of the tracks as possible off of the 32 track - on a portable unit, bring that recording home to mix down either on the portable unit or via my computer, add instrumentation / effects to the recording (if necessary)and then go to disc with the final mix.

Questions:

1. Is this even possible or am I bound by the 32 track board?
2. If it is possible would I be able to transfer all 32 tracks (or as many inputs used) or is it possible to compress or gang track together at the time of recording at church?
3. If yes to #2, what type of portable unit would I research and buy?
4. What type of computer software would support this process?

Am I making sense? Thanks!

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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:48 am
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People got by without digital for a long time - somehow.

I use Band-in-a-Box. You enter chords on a screen similar to a spreadsheet, then you pick a style(hundreds to choose from - several Eric Clapton styles, Southern Gospel, Praise and Worship, CCR), pick your background instruments(hundreds from banjo to xylophone), then key and speed, and hit play. It stores everything as MIDI files so doesn't take up much disc space. I run a line out from the computer to my guitar amp and either just jam or run another line from the amp back to the computer for recording. When recording it converts from MIDI to a WAVE file and can record to the harddrive or a CD. It is how I do solos at church. If you have a laptop you can just plug that into the church sound system and not even bother to convert the file from a MIDI to a WAVE. Then if you need to change the key for a substitute vocalist it only takes a click.


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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:08 am
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Hi,

An important detail is the number of outputs your 32 input board has. If it only has 2 you'll only be able to get a stereo recording via the board. The more outputs the board has the more individual tracks you'll be able to record to a multitrack recorder. Obviously, you will also be limited buy the number of inputs/tracks on the multitrack recorder. The more tracks you have to play with the more manipulable the recording you take home to mix will be.

Hope that makes sense.

So, to answer your questions…

1. Yes but more by the number of outputs the board has.
2. Depends on the outputs again but you will be able compress or gang (as you put it (mix or group)) tracks together.
3. The different types of recording devices are endless but I would consider either a computer with relevent software (Cubase, Pro tools, Sonar, Reaper (cheap but good) ...) or maybe a stand alone digital hardware recorder (Boss, Korg ...).
4. See 3.

HTH,
Mark


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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:31 am
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Hi Beaubs: Mark_E has given a good reply - it all depends on the mixer. Why not tell us it's make and model and maybe someone will be able to help further regarding bussing options and such (though it won't be me!).

If the mixer can only output a mixed stereo signal then in a way that makes your options simple. Any of the many tiny portable digital devices on the market today will be absolutely fine for collecting the recording, possibly for transfer to computer, though of course you won't be able do much with it other than overdubbing and a certain amount of mastering type treatments. And you could just run that signal straight into a laptop, with the right interface.

Regarding mini-recorders, I have experience with the Boss Micro-BR and the Zoom H4, both of which I can recommend for this type of function. Those are both receding into the past already, however. The latest ones to look at include the Tascam DR-1, Yamaha Pocketrack 2G, Edirol R-09HR and the M-Audio Microtrack II. Researching that lot should keep you busy!

On the other hand, if the mixer can output all 32 tracks then things are much more challenging, because you need hardware for collecting them. My main tool is the Yamaha AW1600: that has 16 tracks but only eight inputs...

If you like the workstation route (such as that Yamaha or many multi-trackers by the likes of Boss, Zoom, Roland, etc) then an alternative work-around may be to insert that into the signal chain before the mixer. Take your recording in multitrack form and simultaneously output a stereo signal to the church's mixer for piping through to the PA.

Of course, that depends on how that 32 track mixer is used. If there's bussing operations going on for monitor mixes and such then that last suggestion is no use...

Complicated, isn't it?

Cheers - C


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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:49 pm
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All,

Thanks for the replies. I will be getting more info to you soon..........

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