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Interface for recording multiple channels simultaneously


dlloyd
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I'm toying with the idea of recording our live sets and being able to produce them multitracked

We have:[list]
[*]2 x vocals
[*]3 x acoustic guitars
[*]1 x upright bass
[/list]
So we need six inputs. These will all come from the house PA, so theoretically we just need to run cables from the desk outputs into an interface, into a laptop running something like Reaper.

What is the most cost effective option?

Audience sound would also be a good idea.

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I wouldn't use USB for simultaneous multi-track recording unless it is full USB2 spec as a minimum for both the interface and the port on the computer, and there is nothing else sharing the the USB bus that the interface is connected to. That includes internal components of your laptop that use USB such as the keyboard, trackpad, webcam, bluetooth, WiFi etc.

If your computer is a Mac you can check what devices are on each USB bus using the System Profiler, I don't know if there is a similar facility built into Windows.

Edited by BigRedX
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I looked at the spec for the 1204.
It says:

[color=#666666][font=myriad-pro, sans-serif][size=4]Built-in stereo USB/Audio Interface to connect directly to your computer.[/size][/font][/color]

So no multi-track output


And BRX's advice is spot on too.

Edited by bartelby
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I have one of these: http://www.cymaticaudio.com/products/recorders-players/live-recorder-lr16

No messing around during a live gig with laptops etc, just records up to 16 channels into wav files on a hard drive.

Then, at your leisure, just import the wav files into your DAW and edit, overdub and mix away.

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[quote name='Downdown' timestamp='1487615373' post='3241246']
I have one of these: [url="http://www.cymaticaudio.com/products/recorders-players/live-recorder-lr16"]http://www.cymaticau...e-recorder-lr16[/url]

No messing around during a live gig with laptops etc, just records up to 16 channels into wav files on a hard drive.

Then, at your leisure, just import the wav files into your DAW and edit, overdub and mix away.
[/quote]

On a similar note we use one of these [url="https://www.gak.co.uk/en/zoom-r16-digital-recorder-usb-audio-interface-and-daw-controller/26077?gclid=CIPKj5O0n9ICFXAo0wod4JQDLg"]https://www.gak.co.u...CFXAo0wod4JQDLg[/url]

and the same as Downdown, record to SD card and transfer to a DAW after the gig.

Edited by Muppet
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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...

[quote name='Downdown' timestamp='1487615373' post='3241246']
I have one of these: [url="http://www.cymaticaudio.com/products/recorders-players/live-recorder-lr16"]http://www.cymaticau...e-recorder-lr16[/url]

No messing around during a live gig with laptops etc, just records up to 16 channels into wav files on a hard drive.

Then, at your leisure, just import the wav files into your DAW and edit, overdub and mix away.
[/quote]

Still looking at these... I may need to upgrade the mixer to something that has 6+ aux sends... any recommendations for something reasonable?

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[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1492799491' post='3283379']
The Cymatic is designed to piggyback the signal from insert points on each channel of the mixer using a very simple wiring loom(1/4"TRS to 1/4"TRS for each channel), so no need to worry as long as your desk has insert points for each channel.
[/quote]

How would that work with XLR inputs? (As you can tell, I'm a novice with this stuff)

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[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1492858097' post='3283682']
What desk are you using?

Most desks have XLR input which feeds the mic preamp, then there is an insert point on 1/4" TRS which can be used to patch in things like compressors, the insert point usually is situated in the signal chain after the mic pre and before the EQ.
[/quote]

Not sure...

To put it into perspective, we're a mostly acoustic jazz group that gigs regularly but varies from a duo to a quintet. On a lot of gigs we don't use any PA at all, but in larger venues we generally use house PAs. It would be too much hassle to record most of these but we have a regular monthly slot at a venue where we use the house PA... not sure what the desk is, but it has 8 channels. It looks to be of reasonable quality... sounds okay.

On the regular gig we have two vocals, three acoustic guitars and a double bass. Guitars have undersaddle pickups and are DI'd from amps to the desk. I'd prefer to have them mic'd and do away with the amps other than for monitoring.

Edited by dlloyd
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Check with the venue on the make/model of desk before you spend your money.

The mic vs DI issue doesn't affect the basic method of tapping the sound from the desk insert points, and given a desk with enough input channels you could feed both a mic and DI signal to the desk for each instrument (and record each source separately) and use either/both sources in the FOH mix and your multitrack recording mix as desired. You could also mike the audience for ambience, but mute the channel so it only records.

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  • 2 weeks later...

In my studio I use an M-Audio firewire 26/26 have done for years, nice pre amps and routing options, 8in 8 out with 2x ADAT for up to 24 out also has +48v for your mics and level controls for each channel. It can be used as a standalone unit too however I have never done that. They are cheapish, solid, sound good, they are full 19" rack.

For recording a live gig, I was use the 26/26 with my laptop, use the ins from the 26/26, mix the sound to taste using the 26/26 front controls then i would use logic on my laptop to record the tracks separately while also sending a stereo mix out of outputs 7/8 to the house mixer.

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