multi-track recording solution

[maxbau]

hi

I'm looking for a good multi-track recording solution for home studio to record several separate instruments simultaneously each track in separate channel for minimum 5 but better 10 channels

in the main I'm interested in Zoom R24 and Zoom R16 Multitrack SD Recorder, what is the main and important difference and the basic advantages between Zoom R24 and Zoom R16 Multitrack SD Recorder and TASCAM DP-24 and which one is better for me Zoom or TASCAM DP-24 ?

and how R16 or R24 or DP24 import recorded multi-track set to the computer as a separate wav files or how ?

please recommend a device that I need comparatively not very expensive

also I'm interested in opinions about :

Behringer FCA1616
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8
Presonus FireStudio
Mackie onyx mixer
Audiofire

thx

[Gustavo]

Try a Zoom R16 for a standalone solution. It is light weight, portable and records to a SDCard if no computer is available.

If you have FireWire and want to record in your computer based studio then go for a Mackie onyx mixer.

[rb4u1]

Which of the above are easier to use and have a user friendly interface?
Are the computer interfaces Mac-compatible ?

[maxbau]

Try a Zoom R16 for a standalone solution. It is light weight, portable and records to a SDCard if no computer is available.

If you have FireWire and want to record in your computer based studio then go for a Mackie onyx mixer.

yes but i'm really don't understand how R16 import recorded multi-track set to the computer as a wav files or how..? I found this review but this only shows how to control

[maxbau]

thank you for your answer. finally I decided to order and try Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

[Gustavo]

Congrats on the new adquisition!!

About the Zoom R16, here is an excelent review: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep09/a ... oomr16.htm

But to answer your question, the main idea of the Zoom R16 I believe is portability and silence. So you have a very portable multitrack recorder, it has 8 simultaneous tracks and can record each one separately in wav files. When connected to a computer, it is an 8 in, 2 out interface, meaning that it does record 8 simultaneous tracks to PC.

[mjbrands]

thank you for your answer. finally I decided to order and try Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

What software are you going to use for multitrack recording? While I like Ableton Live a lot myself, I think the included version of Ableton only allows you to record six tracks at the same time. If you did want to upgrade to a full-featured version of Ableton, having the Lite version gives you a nice discount.

If I look at this page, it says Intro (which has more features than Lite) can only use two stereo inputs (so four channels) at the same time. The page about Ableton Live Intro (granted, version 9 and not 8) also lists two stereo inputs: Live Intro

[maxbau]

thank you for your answer. finally I decided to order and try Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

What software are you going to use for multitrack recording? While I like Ableton Live a lot myself, I think the included version of Ableton only allows you to record six tracks at the same time. If you did want to upgrade to a full-featured version of Ableton, having the Lite version gives you a nice discount.

If I look at this page, it says Intro (which has more features than Lite) can only use two stereo inputs (so four channels) at the same time. The page about Ableton Live Intro (granted, version 9 and not 8) also lists two stereo inputs: Live Intro

hi

thx for answer

well I m not sure about LIVE, maybe CUBASE or REAPER, but to begin, I have not yet fully decided on the device...

I'm looking for a good multi-track recording solution for home studio to record several separate instruments simultaneously each track in separate channel (no master out! ) for 8 channels, phantom power, 2 better 4 headphones, minimum 4 outputs, midi I/O. (my stuff for simultaneously recording in separate channel: guitar, bass, drums, synth, piano, 2 dynamic microphones for guitar and piano)

in the main I'm interested in Focsurite Scarlett 18i20, but before buying I have few questions :

question 1 : If I connect the Focsurite to my computer for a permanent job, it will serve also as sound card for my computer, i mean skype, computer playback, recording etc

question 2 : If I connect pair of ordinary speakers and pair of active studio monitors to different outputs can I control the sound and volume of each separately? I see the button "mute" but how to control volume not quite sure...

question 3 : can it be connected to (foldback) stage/wedge monitors single or pair the same way like active studio monitors and ordinary speakers? (if not, maybe I need a DSP mixer and if I need it how to make the connection between mixer and audio interface?)

question 4 : it seems that this device requires a driver, was a problem in your practice with conflict or it works without failures?

question 5 : I m not quite understand from reviews how works connection of Focusrite 18i20 with a DAW or channels just assigned manually in program settings or how?

question 6 : which DAW is better to use with this audio interface?

[Gustavo]

question 1 : If I connect the Focsurite to my computer for a permanent job, it will serve also as sound card for my computer, i mean skype, computer playback, recording etc

question 2 : If I connect pair of ordinary speakers and pair of active studio monitors to different outputs can I control the sound and volume of each separately? I see the button "mute" but how to control volume not quite sure...

question 3 : can it be connected to (foldback) stage/wedge monitors single or pair the same way like active studio monitors and ordinary speakers? (if not, maybe I need a DSP mixer and if I need it how to make the connection between mixer and audio interface?)

question 4 : it seems that this device requires a driver, was a problem in your practice with conflict or it works without failures?

question 5 : I m not quite understand from reviews how works connection of Focusrite 18i20 with a DAW or channels just assigned manually in program settings or how?

question 6 : which DAW is better to use with this audio interface?

1: Yes. I currently have an Onyx Blackjack and Windows sees it as a soundcard, which I can use as any other soundcard.
2: Only if they are Active. If you have passive speakers, then you'll need some kind of amplifier.
3: I have no idea how that works, but there should be a way of doing so.
4: Most of these things work as plug-and-play, but if the driver is available there shouldn't be any problems... at least in theory.
5: Read the Manual
6: The one you like the most, all of them should work properly. If you are very amateur I recommend REAPER because its demo never expries and to buy it, its only $50 USD

Just as a question, do you plan on moving your interface around or is it to stay static in your homestudio? Because if its not going static, then I'd get a Onyx Mixer or the Zoom R8 instead.

Saludos,
Gustavo

[maxbau]

question 1 : If I connect the Focsurite to my computer for a permanent job, it will serve also as sound card for my computer, i mean skype, computer playback, recording etc

question 2 : If I connect pair of ordinary speakers and pair of active studio monitors to different outputs can I control the sound and volume of each separately? I see the button "mute" but how to control volume not quite sure...

question 3 : can it be connected to (foldback) stage/wedge monitors single or pair the same way like active studio monitors and ordinary speakers? (if not, maybe I need a DSP mixer and if I need it how to make the connection between mixer and audio interface?)

question 4 : it seems that this device requires a driver, was a problem in your practice with conflict or it works without failures?

question 5 : I m not quite understand from reviews how works connection of Focusrite 18i20 with a DAW or channels just assigned manually in program settings or how?

question 6 : which DAW is better to use with this audio interface?

1: Yes. I currently have an Onyx Blackjack and Windows sees it as a soundcard, which I can use as any other soundcard.
2: Only if they are Active. If you have passive speakers, then you'll need some kind of amplifier.
3: I have no idea how that works, but there should be a way of doing so.
4: Most of these things work as plug-and-play, but if the driver is available there shouldn't be any problems... at least in theory.
5: Read the Manual
6: The one you like the most, all of them should work properly. If you are very amateur I recommend REAPER because its demo never expries and to buy it, its only $50 USD

Just as a question, do you plan on moving your interface around or is it to stay static in your homestudio? Because if its not going static, then I'd get a Onyx Mixer or the Zoom R8 instead.

Saludos,
Gustavo

thanks for you answers

yes static

just curious what is the difference between Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 and Roland OctaCapture because at first glance everything's the same, except digital mixers control and 24-bit/192 kHz audio quality...? what can do one, what other cannot?