Need Help Making Home Recordings

markw51 · June 4th, 2008, 12:45 PM

I want to be able to make multi-track recordings on my laptop but don't know the best way to go about it.

I have Cakewalk Home 2004 on the laptop but the sound card I'm using - SB External USB, has too much latency and I can't see how to monitor one track while laying down another.

I see a bunch of audio interfaces online at Musician's Friend and others but don't know if you can make multi-track recordings with those or what the heck.

I'm also on a very tight budget so under $100 is what I'm thinking.

woodman · June 4th, 2008, 12:53 PM

will you be tracking both vocals and instrumentals?

your interface isn't a limiting factor on multitracking, all it does is give a measure of control over the signal you feed into the computer. your software will give you all the tracks your hardware can manage. but with a budget interface, you'll probably have to lay down one or two at a time.

markw51 · June 4th, 2008, 01:07 PM

[quote=woodman;1274015]will you be tracking both vocals and instrumentals?

Yes, both vocal and instruments. Laying down one track at a time is all I intend to do.

woodman · June 4th, 2008, 04:20 PM

in that case, any affordable interface with both a quarter-inch jack and an XLR (low-z mike) input will get you started. don't have specific suggestion, but i bet some of the other more savvy guys do. entry-level stuff isn't too costly, but when you hit it big, the sky's the limit!

neocaster · June 4th, 2008, 05:24 PM

I just got the least expensive unit with an XLR and 1/4" instrument I was able to find. M-Audio Fast Track USB. Pro Tools is working at very little latency (256 sample buffer) and Abletron Live is not quite that clean but it was definitely worth $100.

Daddydex · June 4th, 2008, 05:54 PM

StuH turned me on to this driver for my soundcard:http://www.asio4all.com/

This solved my latency problem with no additional investment required. Thanks again StuH!

Dan

June 4th, 2008, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
markw51 Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: rockville, md. Posts: 423	Need Help Making Home Recordings I want to be able to make multi-track recordings on my laptop but don't know the best way to go about it. I have Cakewalk Home 2004 on the laptop but the sound card I'm using - SB External USB, has too much latency and I can't see how to monitor one track while laying down another. I see a bunch of audio interfaces online at Musician's Friend and others but don't know if you can make multi-track recordings with those or what the heck. I'm also on a very tight budget so under $100 is what I'm thinking.

June 4th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,959	will you be tracking both vocals and instrumentals? your interface isn't a limiting factor on multitracking, all it does is give a measure of control over the signal you feed into the computer. your software will give you all the tracks your hardware can manage. but with a budget interface, you'll probably have to lay down one or two at a time. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

June 4th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,959	in that case, any affordable interface with both a quarter-inch jack and an XLR (low-z mike) input will get you started. don't have specific suggestion, but i bet some of the other more savvy guys do. entry-level stuff isn't too costly, but when you hit it big, the sky's the limit! __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

June 4th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,521 11 Photos	I just got the least expensive unit with an XLR and 1/4" instrument I was able to find. M-Audio Fast Track USB. Pro Tools is working at very little latency (256 sample buffer) and Abletron Live is not quite that clean but it was definitely worth $100. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

June 4th, 2008, 05:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Daddydex Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,722	StuH turned me on to this driver for my soundcard:http://www.asio4all.com/ This solved my latency problem with no additional investment required. Thanks again StuH! Dan __________________ Teles are like Mr. Potato head

June 4th, 2008, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
markw51 Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: rockville, md. Posts: 423	[quote=woodman;1274015]will you be tracking both vocals and instrumentals? Yes, both vocal and instruments. Laying down one track at a time is all I intend to do.