Subject:Simultaneous multi-track recording

Posted by: Elizabeth

Date:9/13/2003 4:19:42 AM

I am considering buying the Creative Audigy II Platinum (which includes the drive bay with multiple inputs and controls) and am trying to decide on what software to purchase.

I need to record a minimum of two tracks simultaneously - usually keyboard and mic - and require software that will handle each track independently of each other rather than combining them into a single track.

Is sound forge what I need?

Subject:RE: Simultaneous multi-track recording

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:9/13/2003 5:34:18 AM

No, what you need is Vegas. Sound Forge is prim,arily a stereo editor, and cannot record one file while playing others.

Also, I would not recommend any product from Creative for serious music. Look at alternatives from M-Audio, SoundTrax, etc.

cheers, and see you on the Vegas forum (!)

geoff

Subject:RE: Simultaneous multi-track recording

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:9/13/2003 6:55:09 AM

What you could accomplish with SoundForge is to simultaneously record the keyboard on the left channel and the mic on the right channel. They would still be in one file, but the tracks are distinct from each other. You can process them (volume, EQ, effects) independantly of each other, and you can even split them into separate files if you wish. It would still be a very cumbersome way to work though and limited to two channels. You would be better off with a multitrack program.

Subject:RE: Simultaneous multi-track recording

Reply by: drbam

Date:9/13/2003 8:52:37 AM

I also want to encourage you to seriously consider a different card/interface. Echo, Maudio, etc work great and are soooooo much better for music than anything Creative offers.

drbam

Subject:RE: Simultaneous multi-track recording

Reply by: Elizabeth

Date:9/15/2003 11:04:43 AM

Thanks for the comments guys, you may have saved me a lot of money!

Looking into your suggestions now... thanks again.

Subject:EXPLAINING YOUR OPTIONS AND THE SF FAMILY

Reply by: xgenei

Date:9/23/2003 4:25:46 AM

Oh one more - just to be contrary.

The truth is you should actually stick to an audigy -- an EX if at all possible since it records in 24/96. The reason is because you need a good general purpose sound card.

Any serious musician (or ambitious wanna be) will invest in a USB or firewire mixer or AD/DA (like a Motu or Tascam, etc.) and get four channels or more in or out at a time.

To record you will usually get a "b" side audio package with the hardware. These typically have some reduced features but are useable for all but professional ambitions. That said, yes definitely Vegas 4 (or 3 for that matter) is the best in the family.

You can also record multi-channel to Acid if you can use loop edit more than video edit. Supposedly Acid is going to get MIDI in the next iteration (a best-guess). And then Vegas will probably follow. Either that or they'll add a forth member to the family.

Finally, the 2-tracker (Sound Forge) is supreme for working with any 2-channel sound or mono of course, which can be an input (monster vocal chops, a CD track, video soundtrack) to any output -- alone or with other tracks in ACID or Vegas, or with midi attached in other programs or slaved (that's another story). But all of this works together like hand in glove -- they talk to each other so you don't lose sync or anything.

Subject:RE: EXPLAINING YOUR OPTIONS AND THE SF FAMILY

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:9/23/2003 8:18:33 AM

"Oh one more - just to be contrary.
The truth is you should actually stick to an audigy --"

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......shutup!!! Don't buy anything creative, they never live up to their specs...24/96...yeah right!! Once again, don't buy the audigy card, this recommendation may not save you a lot of money, but it definately will save you from making an unwise investment. Echo or Delta, you won't be let down and have any size to fit your budget.

Subject:RE: EXPLAINING YOUR OPTIONS AND THE SF FAMILY

Reply by: kbruff

Date:9/25/2003 8:23:48 PM

If you want a superb scalable -- multitrack interface invest in the MOTO 828MKII --

You have all you could imagine -- very impressive machine.

Check out specs -- and always consider scalable technology when building a digital audio system.

I have SF6, Vegas and ACID as my software platform --

and MOTU 828MKII as my hardware interface + a custom built PC dedicated for this digital audio -- effort.

link --> http://www.motu.com/english/motuaudio/828/body.html


Good luck --