reliable remote recording software

[guitoffee]

Of course, when you have sold your HD24XR, to buy other lustful gear, the full orchestra concerts gigs pour in. I typically work for an uptight Classical conductor/ composer and use spaced omnis with Neotek pres into Lavry into a masterlink. This time, he wants me to multitrack a live orchestral concert with choir and soloists. I have inherited a MAC G4 laptop now and was wondering what the most reliable software would be for multitracking. I am afraid of Logic as I have seen it overload and crash many times midway through recordings. Especially in version 8. There are no second chances as this is a live concert, and did I mention the conductor was uptight? Is a low end Protools systems more reliable? Or do I try and rent/ conjure up a hard disk recorder somewhere?

[Jim vanBergen]

I think it's completely up to:

a) what you are comfortable with?

b) how many inputs you need/want?

c) what desired sample & bit rate?

Simple version? Live 2-mix to 'whatever' recorder and laptop backup viao USB/Firewire interface.

Complex version? Rent an entire HD ProTools system.

I don't know that I would trust any Mbox or Digi 002/3 system, personally...unless you have the time to really test it and make sure it is going to be ROCK solid.

My $0.02.

JvB

[Just Dan]

If all you need is raw track recording, no realtime effects, etc. Metric Halo gets my vote. But then that requires a 2882 or ULN-2 and then the MIO Console. I've recorded 1.5 hours straight without a hitch. But that was only 2-tracks on a brand new MacBook and a Masterlink for backup.

Daniel

[marty lester]

i just did a live recording of 8 tracks using my HD24XR as my main recorder
and my iBook G4 using Boom Recorder and my MOTU Traveler as my interface.

i've done as many as 24 tracks of 24 bit/ 48K recording using Boom Recorder
and another interface that had 24 channels of input.

if you're doing raw recording as the previous poster asked, i can't think of anything
i could recommend more.

VOSGAMES

cheers,
marty.

[Gerax]

I'm a Pro Tools guy. I use it for post and mixing work, but lately I've purchased a laptop (Dell XPS M1330, Core2 DUO, 2GHz, 2Gb Ram...) and I got an M-Audio Profire Lightbridge firewire interface. That and PT MPowered allow me the flexibility to record up to 32 tracks in PT (if you use PTMP with versions up to 7.3.1 cs 2, otherwise it's 18) as the Lightbridge just ports ADAT signals into PT. I have ADAT equipped pres, and I mirror the dual SMUX out to the lightbridge and to my backup recorder, a 24 track Mackie SDR2496 HD recorder...So far I've run some stress test and PTMP on both Win XP and Vista is really rock solid, 32 tracks @ 24/48 without any hickups or issues...and it also makes it very easy to port the recorded tracks into my studio's PT rig for editing/mixing. I record to an external USB 2.0 drive, but I got some really good results on the internal 5400 rpm S-ATA drive too. I've MTC'ed and WC'ed the two recorders together and it's really cool to hit the space bar on the laptop and have everything rolling into record at once...
I also did some test with Reaper, which looks like a really simple and straightforward, lean and stable software, which can be used as a straight recording tool.

Hope this helps

L.G.

[Sound Sorcerer]

Check out Metacorder... It works with a bunch of audio interfaces

[guitoffee]

Thanks for your post so far.

I'm not sure how many tracks, as I haven't seen the layout yet. I am assuming I will need probably 8 channels of recording. I have to make sure that what ever recorder or software I use, can handle recording an hour straight with no hiccups.... The Masterlink is awesome for this reason; however it's only a 2 track. I have been using logic to record bands remotely and to do overdubs. It overloads all the time and the audio is lost.... I can't afford this. I am also looking to record at 24 bit 88.2 at least.....

Thoughts? Is Protools Le the same as Logic in terms of reliability?

[videoteque]

If you are on Mac, this BoomRecorder seems like a much cheaper (185€) version of Metacorder (1500€).

I really think that a good recording software must be simple, all the bell and whistles can only get in the way and slow the computer down...

Ooops! Already named!!!

[edwinhurwitz]

I've recorded with my Metric Halo 2882 for 3+ hours with no issues at all. I've also done the same with Pro Tools (LE and MP), Logic (8 is much more stable than 7. I wouldn't trust 7) and Digital Performer 5.x. These days I am using mostly Logic via a Lightbridge that comes out of an HD24 XR. This way I am recording in two places at once, so the HD24 is more or less a back up (or is that front up, since it comes first?).

Edwin

[mohthom]

3.5hrs at 24/96 in 8ch on my MacBook Pro running into Logic 8 without a hiccup . . . and that's to the internal drive too!

My interface has gone screwy far more often than L8, but as always YMMV. I find a reboot just 30 mins before showtime (to make sure there's nothing running in the background etc.) does wonders for stability.

For classical music, set your levels and leave the hell alone . . . that's the way to maximise stability!

MohThoM

[noamraz]

Hey Slutz,
Seems like several of us are in the same boat:
Myself like some of other guys here use the HD24XR as front-end machine and using it's ADAT outputs to feed my DAW ADAT interface (M-Audio's Profire Lightbridge):
1. I'm using the HD24XR's ADAT outputs due the fact that my preamps dont have any A/D.
Otherwise i would feed the Profire with the preamp's A/D output butofcourse (It's all about redundancy as i see it).

Back to the topic - I am using Reaper here as my tracking software, it does cost much less than other software i've been using and seems to be stable as any other "good" software. It's my choise here.

Keep in mind that my rule for DAW recorders is to configure/optimize them for a specific task and to maintain them as recorders and not to use them as "everyday" laptops.
it only takes one installation/tweak to turn a successful DAW recording into a "failing" machine.
Several thumb rules for me:
1. I'm not surfing the net with my recording laptop.
2. I'm not installing anything that i dont need.
3. And last but not least which covers most of scenarios: I am doing some kind of "dry" test before going on to the field EVERY time (Which includes defragmantation to the recording HDD if needed).

Best regards, Noam.

[Gerax]

Well, I wouldn't surf the internet with my laptop during a recording date, but I've done so in my tests, and the machine kept going without any issues.
Anyway, for those using the lightbridge post the Alesis HD24: I guess you know that you aren't really running a redundant backup, as if the Alesis crashes you'll loose the signal to the lightbridge too; the only way to have a parallel backup is to split the signal somehow before the recorders; I know that we are coming to the old debate about the fact that for a true redundante backup one should split at the mics, but pres are less likely to fail than software driven recorders; that's where I split the signal, thankfully my pres are equipped with ADAT outs; I record 24/44.1, or 24/48 when working for DVD/video, so the dual ADAT ports output the same exact signal. One goes to the lightbridge/laptop/PT, the other to the HD recorder backup. If my laptop crashes (hopefully not) the HD recorder keeps going, same thing for the other way around, if both crash...I hope somebody did a bootleg recording of the gig .

L.G.

[noamraz]

Originally Posted by noamraz

Otherwise i would feed the Profire with the preamp's A/D output butofcourse (It's all about redundancy as i see it).

It's all about redundancy - while keeping in mind that much before that comes the Budget... ;-)
The preamps i'm using dont have any built-in A/D convertors.

I dont really know the other HDD recorders in depth but the HD24 is capable of doing A/D conversion while not recording and in the right Monitoring preferances:
It will still have it's ADAT output running of the "armed" tracks while mechanical HDD crash happens - This is redundancy in action but not in it's highest level.
Keep in mind that i had a HDD crash while using the HD24 and this kind of configuration saved me.

As far as i concern, there's several levels of redundancy which starts at electricity distribution goes through mic lines splitting and ends at RAID systems as far as budget "allows".

Best regards, Noam.

[Biber]

hi,

i made a lot of recordings with nuendo on either a mac G4 laptop and also on my bigger G4 machine up to 24 tracks with either a rme digiface or a fireface800 and never had any problems...

[TonyF]

The best software I have used is SADiE v5. One of the biggest advantages with SADiE is the robustness of the LRX hardware. I have found nothing more reliable. Most of my work is classical and the SADiE LRX mic pre's are excellent. We tried various other options which worked, but none so reliable on location.
Tony
Green Room Productions London UK

[wildplum]

Originally Posted by Gerax

I'm a Pro Tools guy. I use it for post and mixing work, but lately I've purchased a laptop (Dell XPS M1330, Core2 DUO, 2GHz, 2Gb Ram...) and I got an M-Audio Profire Lightbridge firewire interface. That and PT MPowered allow me the flexibility to record up to 32 tracks in PT (if you use PTMP with versions up to 7.3.1 cs 2, otherwise it's 18) as the Lightbridge just ports ADAT signals into PT.

L.G.

Gerax,
if i understand you correctly, you have successfully done more than 18 tracks using the Lightbridge and a Windows PC. If so, this is the first time I have seen anyone claim to have done so. (Mac yes, seems to work fine with rel 7.3.1, but not on a PC). I have talk with several people who have been unsuccessful with a PC and I myself have extensively tested 7.3.1 on a DP 9440 and can not get more than 18 tracks (all 32 as "seen" and listed, but only 18 pass audio).

So, I was wondering how you did it. I would love to copy what you did.

[pkautzsch]

Nuendo on PC here, when configured well it runs smoothly with MOTU hardware.
Largest non-stop recording was 2 hrs of 18 channels - but done over 1 hr of 30 channels too.
However, I experienced problems when test-recording to external HDD, so I always use the internal drive for recording.

[David Rick]

Really, I think the actual recording software is not the hard part. The hard part is getting a stable environment to run it in. That means a machine with a motherboard tested for audio use, a dedicated internal audio drive (I use Seagate Baracudas), all the correct operating system tweaks, and a good audio interface with drivers that are rock solid when used with your software of choice.

For the actual software, the main thing is to choose something that you're comfortable enough with that you won't make silly mistakes. It could be anything from Pro Tools to Mackie Tracktion. Really, 8 tracks at 24/96 isn't very difficult; I've routinely done 12-16 for 90 minutes at a time with Samplitude/Sequoia running on a four-year-old single-core machine.

Some random hints.

• Record ONLY. Don't try to play back at the same time.
• Monitor outside the box to reduce CPU load.
• Use mono files to stay under the 2 GB file limit.
• WDM drivers cause much less load than ASIO drivers.
• Reduce graphics acceleration settings to prevent bus hogging.
• Turn off networking during recording.
• No last minute software/OS/driver changes ever!

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

[tnjazz]

If you're JUST tracking, I would highly recommend Cubase SE (the $99 cheapie version). It's a very scaled down version of the SX's but it's perfect for tracking. It runs light on CPU and is very stable.

I've often run 20 tracks to my internal G4 powerbook hard drive at 24/48 via firewire with NO issues at all (1.5+ hours each time).

My PB is a G4 1.5ghz with 1.25gb RAM. If yours has comparable specs I'm sure it will be just fine.

Add a digital to firewire unit (maybe a lightbridge?) and you're all set for around $400...

[Larry Elliott]

Originally Posted by TonyF

Tony
Green Room Productions London UK

Nice to see you here Tony.

[Gerax]

Originally Posted by wildplum

Gerax,
if i understand you correctly, you have successfully done more than 18 tracks using the Lightbridge and a Windows PC. If so, this is the first time I have seen anyone claim to have done so. (Mac yes, seems to work fine with rel 7.3.1, but not on a PC). I have talk with several people who have been unsuccessful with a PC and I myself have extensively tested 7.3.1 on a DP 9440 and can not get more than 18 tracks (all 32 as "seen" and listed, but only 18 pass audio).

So, I was wondering how you did it. I would love to copy what you did.

Ooops, I forgot to list a determining factor: I have installed OSX86 on a separate partition of my Dell laptop, therefore I'm running a Mac version of PT. The system looks rock solid, even though some minor bugs here and there happen every once in a while...

[henryrobinett]

For just recording -- and I've done a ton with my Metric Halo rig -- the only thing that ever makes me rest easy is the Record Panel that comes with the 2882/ULN-2. It has never crashed on me.

[cgrafx]

Originally Posted by guitoffee

Of course, when you have sold your HD24XR, to buy other lustful gear, the full orchestra concerts gigs pour in. I typically work for an uptight Classical conductor/ composer and use spaced omnis with Neotek pres into Lavry into a masterlink. This time, he wants me to multitrack a live orchestral concert with choir and soloists. I have inherited a MAC G4 laptop now and was wondering what the most reliable software would be for multitracking. I am afraid of Logic as I have seen it overload and crash many times midway through recordings. Especially in version 8. There are no second chances as this is a live concert, and did I mention the conductor was uptight? Is a low end Protools systems more reliable? Or do I try and rent/ conjure up a hard disk recorder somewhere?

How about just renting an HD24XR?

[videoteque]

I have installed OSX86 on a separate partition of my Dell laptop, therefore I'm running a Mac version of PT

BEWARE!!! You are coming to the "light" side...

[klaukholm]

I would seriously consider Pyramix.