Subject:Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Posted by: Exuding Dudeness

Date:8/6/2009 2:13:40 PM

I have Acid 7 Music Studio - I want to record from two microphones to two tracks simultaneously. The tutorial says that I would need an "audio interface with multiple inputs". What is this? Is this a computer with two sound cards? A sound card with two mic inputs? Could this be something totally different? I thank everyone in advance for any help on this!

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:8/6/2009 2:26:49 PM

A PCI (or PCIe) card for the computer with either plugs on the card itself to physically plug in multiple mics or an interface card tethered to an extrenal breakout box to do the same.

There are a ton out there...check EMu, M-Audio, RME, Lynx, Presonus...the list goes on and on....

Cheers!

VP

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Exuding Dudeness

Date:8/6/2009 3:26:03 PM

Thanks VP!!

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:8/6/2009 4:51:16 PM

Or a USB one, or a Firewire one. Any audio interface (ie 'soundcard') with multiple inputs.

How many tracks do you need to record similtaneously - your current soundcard will do at least two. What sort of inputs - microphone, or Line ? What sort of microphones ?

geoff

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Exuding Dudeness

Date:8/6/2009 5:18:16 PM

I want to record 2 tracks simultaneously. My current soundcard has 1 mic input and 1 line-in input, the recording settings on my computer will only allow me to select one or the other (mic or line-in) for recording. My mics are nothing special.

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:8/6/2009 7:16:48 PM

The line input is probably a stereo one. This means you have two inputs. All you need to do is to get your mics inputting as the left and right channels. You might even be able to use a simple Y-splitter adapter with a stereo output. What kind of output sockets do your mics have?

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Exuding Dudeness

Date:8/6/2009 8:04:13 PM

My mics have 1/4 inch inputs. When I go to my computer's volume control > options > properties > recording, I am forced to choose between Line and Microphone, both check boxes cannot be checked at the same time. I have to pick between them - cannot have both. I tried a Y splitter - putting two mics into the mic jack - thinking one mic would be the right channel and and one mic would be the left channel - it did not work. I'm going to have to go with VP's solution and get a sound card with at least two mic jacks. I appreciate all the help!!

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: pwppch

Date:8/7/2009 11:33:57 AM

Please fill out your system specs in your user profile.

It sounds like you are using the audio hardware that is part of your PC.

You can route from the multiple inputs availble on your hardware. You need to set ACID to use either Wave Classic Drivers or ASIO drivers.

This is done on the "Audio Devices" preference page.

Once you do this, then you can select the input source and whether you want to record stereo or mono (Left or right channel).

Add an Audio track.

Right click on it and select the "Record Inputs" menu item. You will be presented with a stereo and mono folder options. Select the input source as you desire.

You can then connect two mics to the inputs in many different ways depending on the hardware you have.

Peter

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Exuding Dudeness

Date:8/7/2009 3:18:04 PM

I have filled out my specs. I guess the remaining problem is getting the software to recognize that I have two inputs. My computer forces me to pick between line and mic for recording. In the recording options on my computer there are check boxes under mic and line, when line is checked and you check mic, the check in the line checkbox dissapears - and vice versa. You are forced to choose between them, and the acid software recognizes that you have one option available (Acid does not give the options of input 1 or input 2). The options are Stereo, left, and right for the one input it sees.

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:8/7/2009 5:33:59 PM

If you are using an default computer soundcard, then the mic is likely to be mono, and the input very poor quality. You should be able to access the Line input as 2 tracks, L=1 and R=2 with a Y-cord, but then you'd need a 2 channel mic preamp or little mixer.

You would be best of getting something like this Tascam USB interface with 2 mic, 2 line, (nd instrument) inputs:
http://tinyurl.com/ch867

cheers

geoff

Subject:RE: Audio Interface with Multiple Inputs

Reply by: pwppch

Date:8/7/2009 7:29:06 PM

My computer forces me to pick between line and mic for recording. In the recording options on my computer there are check boxes under mic and line, when line is checked and you check mic, the check in the line checkbox dissapears - and vice versa.

How does your computer "force" you?

Have you tried what I outlined in my earlier post?

The point is that you should not be using the Windows audio settings. Use the ACID preference page settings and then route inputs using the tracks in ACID.

Peter