OT: Multitrack Audio Recording

kosins wrote on 7/10/2004, 9:02 AM
Hi All.
I realize this should probably be posted on a different board, but I've seen great answers from many of you about nearly anything, and I get the impression many of you are into audio as well as video.

Here's my story:
Over the years, I've accumulated a variety of recording equipment.(Roland multitrackers, Mackie hard disk recorders, a variety of mixers, etc)
This collection is the primarily the result of various project requirements and secondly, drinking one too many beers while shopping on the internet on the weekends.....:-)
As we complete the construction of our studio in the next month or so, I've entertained the thought of going completely to computer-based recording with a system or two stuffed with maybe 3 M-Audio 1010 cards and a couple of nice console mixing boards.
(I may keep one or two of the Rolands for "on-site" recording projects.)

Have any of you ever made a change such as this, and if so, did you regret it?

Thanks.
John

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 7/10/2004, 9:09 AM
http://www.mackie.com/fanatics/articles/2003/douglas_spotted_eagle/

http://www.dvdcreation.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=26514

Went from a fully automated Tascam M5K (one of 3 in the world) to a Mackie/HD based system. Still have a few DA98's around, 2 MX2424's, but never fire them up. In fact, just last night I was in the studio looking at my Lex 224, realizing I don't use that anymore, pondering Ebay for it....
No regrets. The workflow is different, and at first, slightly less intuitive. But management, media cost/media management, speed, and access make it all worthwhile.
kosins wrote on 7/10/2004, 10:22 AM
Spot,
Thanks. That is some good reading.
When I first began to use the portable multitrackers, I was thrilled.
Noise levels were nil, and they were easy to learn, but I prefer to do the final mix on a computer.

I do have a couple MDR 24/96s and though they are quick , clean, 'n easy, I don't care much for FTP method of individual track editing.
It's OK, just seems a little sluggish to me. Maybe I'm just being too picky about that.
I'm fairly certain that I'm going to make the switch to the DAW setup, and certainly before I finish "wiring up" the new studio.

It's funny you mentioned eBay.
One of my customers took a peek around the other day. He saw a pile of stuff in a "designated storage area....(ahem... "Catch All"......), and made a comment about "makin' a ton of money on eBay with this stuff."

I've seen you mention the M-Audio cards here before.
I've looked at them, the Layla product, and the new "pro" line-up from Creative ("E-MU" I believe).
I'm fairly sure I'll run with the the Delta 1010 units.

Creative seems to be giving a "gung ho" effort at jumping into the recording arena, but in the past I've found their software to be a little too "cutesy" and far too intrusive on my systems.
Spot|DSE wrote on 7/10/2004, 10:38 AM
We have the Delta 1010's in our studio, love em! The "new" drivers for surround mixing are wonderful. I too, would avoid Creative until they get more of the EMU and RADAR workflow/concept/development into place.
I just sold my Akai 6000's on Ebay, didn't make a ton of money, even though I paid a ton for them! With HD and softsynths, a lot of this older stuff isn't worth much anymore.
studio_118 wrote on 7/10/2004, 11:00 AM
Spot, again my congrats on your suggestions.
I posted this very question on Vegas Audio last nite and shoud have read here first.
Posted
--"All the other major software companies like Sonar have partnerships with Mackie, Tascam etc. Maybe I have missed the press release, but do we Sony software users have an input device that is recommended. The software upgrades keep coming, but how about the control device."-----

Thru your Mackie Linked article, I noticed that yes Mackie has partnerships with lots of software. You mentioned your studio B setup, since no Lexan overlay exists for Vegas, are you able to control it thru the Mackie stuff or just the Sonar and Adobe stuff?
Spot|DSE wrote on 7/10/2004, 11:23 AM
The Lexan overlay only shows you what button does what on the Mackie connected to Vegas. SONAR didn't have an overlay for about 9 months, so I expect Vegas will take a while too. But in the meantime, you can download a PDF of the overlay at http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/download/step2.asp?DID=496
Print on a sheet of sticker paper, and put on the Mackie. To poke the holes in ours, T.J. came up with the idea of soaking a small round sponge from the craft store in Windex. Then he held the sponge over the sticker paper for a few seconds, and voila! The wet sticker paper had a clean hole in it.
My personal room doesn't have an overlay, I find I only use about 30% of the shortcut buttons and I know what those are due to finger wear. They're pretty much the same in Sonar, Vegas, and Nuendo anyway.
Anyhow, Vegas and the Mackie are GREAT partners in the studio.