Hi my band is on a hiatus, and now i want to record some songs alone. just for me, the problem is. My soundcard is CRAP is a onboard REALTAK AC-97, and my mic is that mics that comes with PC. I would like to know in my case what it would be better, a good soundcard and a good mic, OR a fostex 8-track digital multitrack recorder?

I´m gonna record guitar, keyboard, bass, voices, and samples with fruity loops.
I have a small peavey ampli, a good effect´s processor with ampli simulator and a keyboard with a 4-tracks sequencer.

I am saving money but i don´t know what it would be better.

- The multitrack recorder seems to have an OK built-in mic for voice recording, can record 128mb on a card and has digital output to USB to save in the PC, and has lots of effects and works similar to a analog recorder in the aspect of easy interface


- My PC is an Intel 2 ghz with 60 gb of HD and 256 mb of RAM

So what do you think it would be better in my case, a recorder or a good soundcard/mic.

As with anything on this planet, it all depends on what you want, 7. How much are you planning to spend?

And, it depends on your preference. Are you USED to using your computer? Then it only makes sense to continue down that path, and put the money into upgrading the computer and buying hardware and software that will convert your computer into a solid Digital Audio Workstation, (DAW).

If you're used to external recorders, like the old multi-trackers, then continue down that path.

Problem is, you can get a GREAT system going down either path. You can also get a cheap system, etc. I think a computer setup is much more modular, so you could start out with a basic setup and continue to expand your computer as you go along. If you get a digital multitracker tho, you're pretty much stuck with whatever you get.

Me for instance. I have the Zoom. I'm now beginning to feel like I've outgrown it. It's STILL a great machine for demos, but not that great for recording a full band. If I'd converted my computer into a DAW, all I'd need now would be to purchase a new interface with multiple inputs, maybe bring the ram up to a gig, a bigger hard drive, and I'd be back in business. But since I've got a standalone unit, I'll have to sell this one and buy a new recorder with everything that I want.

But I'm used to standalone units. With sliders, and knobs, and most of the controls in front of me. I panic when I'm trying to get my computer to interact with any other piece of gear. That's probably from using multi-track recorders for the past 20 years. Yes. I'm old.

Just remember that a cheap setup is a cheap setup, whether it's on your computer or whether it's a multitrack standalone machine. For me, I always try to buy 2 years BEHIND the wave of technology. That way, the thing I'm buying is cheap because it's already been replaced, AND, any kinks in it have been resolved.

My recommendation has always been a Zoom MRS 1044. It's a one-man-band's dream... amp modellers for guitars, basses, keys. Vocal effects with pre-amp settings and phantom power for microphones that need it. Built in drum machine (sounds are decent but not great). A 20-gig hard drive, USB computer interface (so you just drag and drop your mixes into your computer) it's a great machine for putting together demos. Anything you've heard from me over the past 2 years has come from that machine. I've been very pleased with the machine. It's GREAT for throwing something together in a flash, and then going back and tweaking it, piece by piece. (I'm sure computer programs are just as good for this, but again, I am crap with musical applications).

So there you go. Consider what you want to spend, what are your goals for the tool, and what are you comfortable with currently? The worst thing you could do would be to buy a tool that is so alien to you, that it makes songwriting a TASK.

Holy crap go buy this right now. 24 tracks for $999. You can NOT beat this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eB...eName=WDVW

I read what you said and I think now i am biased towards PC, I am kinda used at computers and I don´t have the money to buy really good multitrack recorder because all units here in brazil are imported and the dollar is expensive in Brazil because of the politcs exchange. When i get a better job i will definetely go after a multitrack recorder, but you said something very real, if i buyu a average recorder i won´t expand it, a pc is kinda infinite.]
So let´s stick to this. I want to record on my Pc. I already have sonar cakewalk and cubase installed and running on my windows XP, I have fruity loops to and i am full of linn drum samples and things like this. My PC is pentium intel 2 ghz and 60 gb of hd, what do I need now? only a good soundcard and a mic? how i am gonna plug the guitar cable on PC with 14/18 adapters? is there soundcards with xlr input?

you'll need something like this:

M-Audio Delta 410 FireWire® Computer Recording Interface

http://www.musiciansfrien...id/701385/

I don't do computer recording - somebody else here, help 7Salles out on this.

If you're used to PC's, definately go upgrade your soundcard and mike. You'll save lots of money and get a more flexible system in return.
If you're recording alone, you probably won't need many inputs/outputs. I record everything track by track and I have enough with just a stereo in/stereo out. I have a little patch panel to make connections easier, but I'm STILL using crappy AC97 onboard sound (although I think it does sound better than any soundblaster I heard so far; I got rid of my SB Live! because of that). For recording a mic, I use a little mixer just for the mic input because the onboard mic input is just utter crap. You could also buy a little mic pre-amp; you can get a good one cheap.

The M-Audio otan suggested is a *great* sound board to buy, but be aware you also need to get a firewire interface to use it.

If you want to use the AC97 soundboard with Cubase, set cubase to use DirectX instead of ASIO to get rid of latency problems.
[This message was edited Tue May 18 9:27:45 2004 by erikd]

How can i set cubase to work with directx: my cubase is the cubase SX, and i am with a little latency problem. i tweaked and didnt find a option to use directx.

7salles said:

I also use Cubase SX.
Go to Devices -> Device Setup -> VST Multitrack
On the 'Setup' tab, select 'ASIO DirectX Full Duplex Driver' from the 'ASIO Driver' drop-down box (it was probably set on 'ASIO Multimedia driver').

BTW, every now and then you will still get a bit of a latency problem if you have already recorded lots of tracks. Not always, but sometimes. A reboot usually works then.
[This message was edited Tue May 18 12:54:11 2004 by erikd]

I have the opportunity to buy Sounblaster Audigy platinum 7.1 at a good prince, i can´t afford much more than that right now. Do you think it is a good bet? It has a mic preamp on a front panel device. And there is a model without this front panel, and with less inputs and the same sound, do you know this card? I read very positive reviews, and all say it is much much better than soundblaster live.
[This message was edited Tue May 18 14:39:16 2004 by 7salles]

You gotta love those typo's

I just borrowed a Soundblaster Audigy platinum without front panel but I haven't installed it in my PC yet. I'll let you know what I think when I have installed it, but I heard it's quite good. I wonder if it has good ASIO support though...
Did the directX setting work for you?

hey thanks, the latency problem was solved. I will wait for your mini review of the soundcard.

typo is teh fault of sleepless nights. :p thanks brother.

Roland VS-2000

I want it

why JEM? is it better than cubase?