cheapest multi-track recording?

[sphykik]

hi - right now i am recording into a mixer which is hooked up to the line in on my computer. i would like to get into mulittrack recording so i can make my drums sound a bit better. the problem is... i have no money (saving for college).

i thought about getting a pci card (EMU) and then getting one of the behringer ADA8000, but that is still kind of expensive for me...

what is the cheapest option for multitracking drums?

thanks

[day-go]

first off, how many tracks are you trying to record at once (i.e. how many microphones are you using to record your drums)?

second, what kind of mixer do you have? if your mixer has inserts, then you can get pretty much any interface--just use the preamps on your mixer, and then split out at the inserts into the interface inputs. if your mixer doesn't have inserts, or any other way to split individual channels (like multiple aux sends) then you will need an interface with some built-in preamps, as opposed to just line inputs.

you can pick up a delta 1010lt on ebay for around $150 (sometimes they go for even less used.) this is a pci card that has 8 analog inputs, 2 of which are xlr plugs with built-in preamps. i've used one of these, and the sound quality is damn good for the price--certainly light years ahead of your computer's sound card!
if you don't need any preamps on your card, you can pick up a delta 44 for $150 new (and dirt cheap on ebay if you're lucky). it can record 4 analog inputs simultaneously.

[AnAverageJoe]

if you don't need any preamps on your card, you can pick up a delta 44 for $150 new (and dirt cheap on ebay if you're lucky). it can record 4 analog inputs simultaneously.[/quote]


I Would Suggest the Delta 66 for more I/O but still with out pres.

[theblue1]

I say save for college and perfect your stereo drum miking... Some of the coolest drums of the 70s (some of Bonham, for instance) were recorded with a single well placed mic. (Of course, Bonham was a monster playing a good sounding kit in a good sounding room and they spent, supposedly, hours with an assistant moving the mic from place to place while the engineer listened... can't do that with a wimpy drummer who tires out after 20 minutes. )

(Unless you're going to study recording arts in college -- then all bets are off. In that case, do what you gotta do, gear-wise. But make sure you learn how to barista, too. )

[slaves666]

I might suggest getting EZdrummer and learning to program. The sounds you will get from that, will greatly surpass what you will get in that price range. You can also, compose parts at any time without all the volume problems.

[sphykik]

Originally Posted by day-go

first off, how many tracks are you trying to record at once (i.e. how many microphones are you using to record your drums)?

second, what kind of mixer do you have? if your mixer has inserts, then you can get pretty much any interface--just use the preamps on your mixer, and then split out at the inserts into the interface inputs. if your mixer doesn't have inserts, or any other way to split individual channels (like multiple aux sends) then you will need an interface with some built-in preamps, as opposed to just line inputs.

you can pick up a delta 1010lt on ebay for around $150 (sometimes they go for even less used.) this is a pci card that has 8 analog inputs, 2 of which are xlr plugs with built-in preamps. i've used one of these, and the sound quality is damn good for the price--certainly light years ahead of your computer's sound card!
if you don't need any preamps on your card, you can pick up a delta 44 for $150 new (and dirt cheap on ebay if you're lucky). it can record 4 analog inputs simultaneously.

I would like to have 8 inputs (2OH, 3 tom, snare, kick and subkick)

my mixer is a behringer 1202, i dont think is supports what you are talking about though....

could i get the delta 1010lt, and then get a preamp like this?
Buy Nady PRA-8 Mic Preamp online at Musician's Friend

thanks

[tnjazz]

Originally Posted by sphykik

I would like to have 8 inputs (2OH, 3 tom, snare, kick and subkick)

my mixer is a behringer 1202, i dont think is supports what you are talking about though....

could i get the delta 1010lt, and then get a preamp like this?
Buy Nady PRA-8 Mic Preamp online at Musician's Friend

thanks

You could do that, but it's debateable whether or not that particular gear would make your drums sound better. Given the choice between Behr and Nady, I'd have to pick Behr I think. Do you have 8 mics to use in the first place?

I would agree with theblue1 - stereo drum miking is quite underrated. If you can get a good drum sound with a stereo pair on a consistent basis, you'll be well on your way to some solid engineering skills.

[day-go]

Originally Posted by sphykik

I would like to have 8 inputs (2OH, 3 tom, snare, kick and subkick)

my mixer is a behringer 1202, i dont think is supports what you are talking about though....

could i get the delta 1010lt, and then get a preamp like this?
Buy Nady PRA-8 Mic Preamp online at Musician's Friend

thanks

i assume you're talking about a behringer ub-1202. i looked up the specs on your board, and it looks like you can get at least 3 of the preamps running through sperate channels. you can pan one of them hard left and the other hard right, and run the left and right main outputs into channels on your interface. then you can run another channel out of the aux send into an input on your mixer.
if you go with the 1010lt, that would give you five separate inputs (3 off the board, plus the two built-in 1010lt pres). i've heard bad things about the nady stuff, but if you decide to go the 8 preamp route, you might also check out sm pro audio. its comparably priced, but i can't speak for its quality.
you also might want to think about an m-audio audio buddy. its a cheap little two channel pre, but it's very usable and doesn't totally suck. you can pick one up for around $50 used (or two of them, giving you more than enough pres for all 8 channels with the board and the 1010lt)