tbexon Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Hi sorry to sound so nooby but I have never used a multitrack before and I was wondering is this the basic idea: you have so many line inputs which you can connect from direct outs for each input channel on the mixer ( this is how I understand it) next I was wondering is there any way say usb output to get it to computer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrummerJonny Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 hmm... the usb capability depends on the multitrack... also, your second sentence hurts my head I'm afraid to say... each input channel can take 1 input at a time, then these are mixed down to the main outputs. depending on your multitrack, you may be able to pull all the audio files off it via usb, just plug the usb cable in and use it as a removable hard drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killyp Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 You're correct. Each channel's direct output will be connected into a corresponding input on the multitrack (so channel 1 to input 1, channel 2 to input 2 etc...) and recorded individually. Usually you would record everything pre-fade so the live mix does not affect the recording. Some mixers don't have the option to switch the direct outputs from post-fade to pre-fade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beech Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 As Johnny [ed. and Alex] rightly says, there are many different units out there, all have different features but all try and do the same job but one output to one input is the norm. [additional] : Doesn't have to be a direct out of course, it may be a sub group out, or and aux. If you have limited recording channels, you may group a choir or a string section together, you may group a keyboard players multiple keyboards together. etc etc Some units I'm sure will have USB on them whereby you can access files in some file format to your computer for editing and mixing. Some will have a networkable setup whereby you can connect to a network socket on a PC, or to a router. The files could then be accessed as a physical drive or via FTP depending on the unit. Some have neither of these and have analogue only. There are 2 main types of multitrack device. Those that enable you to mix down multiple tracks to stereo, and those that keep the data in multitrack format. I don't know a deal about either though I do own an Alesis HD24XR which allows you to record 24 tracks simultaneously. There are analogue outs aswell for mixing or playback, digital outs via ADAT to go into a digital desk with this capability or as I use it. to go into 3 PCI ADAT cards for editing in the software of your choice. It also has the network ability although this doesn't seem to be all that stable with alot of setups, and isn't quick. It also has an optional Firewire card. Something I keep meaning to purchase but as I'm a live engineer, so many other things keep cropping up to buy for that. Did you have a particular unit in mind? If so, let us know what it is and I'm sure someone on here will have used one or something very similar before and give you any specific advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killyp Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Just for reference Rob, the Firewire card which the hard drives connect to makes things much easier. The FTP connection just seems so flaky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 not wishing to go OT any further, but I've got a bit of software that just allows my system to read the Alesis formatted driveand you copy the files off without using the rather expensive alesis dock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 To carry on the slight OT, I use that software too. If you can be bothered to take the drive out of the caddy and plug it straight in to your motherboard, it's a solution that doesn't cost a penny. It'll also work with most USB /Firewire IDE adapters to save you opening up your PC. Link to HD24tools.I use the linux version but believe the windows version also works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killyp Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 To carry on the slight OT, I use that software too. If you can be bothered to take the drive out of the caddy and plug it straight in to your motherboard, it's a solution that doesn't cost a penny. It'll also work with most USB /Firewire IDE adapters to save you opening up your PC. Link to HD24tools.I use the linux version but believe the windows version also works fine. +1 for HD24tools. I couldn't get the Alesis software to work on PC, or even launch on my Macs. Useless. HD24tools works a treat though. As for the HD24 itself, it's a little confusing to use in my experience - it could be more intuitive. For example, I couldn't find any obvious way to name tracks (which would've been very helpful considering I was recording around 40). Whether you can actually do it or not I don't know, but very rarely do I use anything I can't do basic things on without reading the manual... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 I've just noticed the OP has also started a topic on getting a sound system for a project - so could well be this one. If you are considering multitrack recording, then getting good kit is pretty vital. The ability to record from a mixer's direct outs gives a lot of scope, and if you also record the stero mix, you have plenty of choice - but without decent sound sources, there's not much you can do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killyp Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Agreed - too many people try to 'fix in the mix'. You know what they say, cr•p in, cr•p out. It doesn't matter how much of a genius you are with compression and other processing, you won't get a poor recording to sound good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbexon Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Agreed - too many people try to 'fix in the mix'. You know what they say, cr•p in, cr•p out. It doesn't matter how much of a genius you are with compression and other processing, you won't get a poor recording to sound good.oh no I'm not trying to get a multitrack I am just wondering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 It would really have helped if you'd made that clear - we assumed it was a proper project, not just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbexon Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 It would really have helped if you'd made that clear - we assumed it was a proper project, not just a thought. sorry but it's not difficult to send a few posts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 No, I guess it's not - but the next time you post a 'real' question, maybe the quantity of posts you get as replies may be a little less? You originally entered a 'Noobish Question' as the title, then asked a specific question making us think you were having problems. If you just wanted basic info - that's fine, and we would perhaps of widened our answers a little to help even more. My comment is just concerned with how you asked? Remember - ask a good question and you get good answers. Ask hypothetical questions gets general answers, but as you want people to help you - maybe giving some info could have framed the context a little. Having a good attitude isn't difficult, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolley1466 Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Sorry for jumping in late but is this for a live multitrack recording?If so, I've heard that low frequencies can cause problems with hard drives with moving parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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