Analog Tracking

[chrisrulesmore]

I'm considering purchasing a 1/2" 8 track Otari machine but have some rudimentary logistical questions as far as integrating an analog machine with my Pro Tools set up.

Biggest problem...I do not have a live drummer and record in Pro Tools using a click track or an Ableton sequenced drum track. Could I take the analog output of my Pro Tools click/drum track and the analog out of the Otari and simply mix them on a small mixer for tracking purposes? Taking it one step forward, could I then dump my Otari tracks into pro tools and would they already be synced to my session tempo?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

-Chris

[themaidsroom]

buy the 1/2" otari if it is really affordable,
if not, keep looking and think about some 1" 8 track that you might
see - it will be more hi-fi........

you might be able to lock the machines together, if the pro tools set up you
have will chase smpte.......but you might have to synch the files up
on the fly - i've seen people do this effortlessly, and i've seen it make people
crazy.........

if it's not alot of money you really have nothing to lose........


be well


- jack

[rehabjon]

I don't know if this will help (or addresses what you are specifically asking), however I have done what I am about the mention multiple times.

If you are using protools (which you state that you are), put the unstrumetn mix on track 7 of the 8 track, put the click on track 8. Mix these together on a small mixer with a headphone out (mackie 1202 is what I use). Put the headphones on the drummer. Have him play to the track with the click and the instrument track in his cans. You can even let him play with the mix of the two (more click for my drummer). This will allow you to record 6 tracks of multitracked drums (which should be enough IMHO). Then dump the 6 tracks into protools (2 tracks at a time on m-box or all tracks on DIGI002 or 001 - minus the instrument track). Finally, line up the click waveform from the multitrack to teh click waveform of your original click in protools, and walaaaa (sp?). The drums will be in time to your original recording.

One caveat is using the 2 track at a time approch is that if the motor in the 8 track does not run very, very closely within specs...... well, you will become very familiar with the Time Compression/Expansion Audiosuite plugin. I have done this before with a clients sh*tty tascam four track machine and nearly drove myself crazy!!!

I hope this helps and if it does not directly answer your question, hopefully it will help someone else.

Regards and good luck,

Ja

[copperx]

I will probably get flamed, but I don't think it's worth it. What are you looking for? warmth? I would probably get a high-end colorful preamp instead or perhaps better converters, that will give you more 'palpable' results without the terrible hassle analog is.

If you have the time and the curiosity, go ahead. Enjoy thumbsup