I know just enough about audio engineering to constitute a threat to myself. That said, I would really appreciate a professionals take on my current situation.

Q. Is there multi-tracking recording equipment that is incapable of single track transfer to CD, DVD or some earth known media? (edit: vague I know, I guess my question is why own expensive multi-track gear that doesn't allow this?)

Q. (....and here's the stupid question of the century), Does mastering imply that the technician does not have, or otherwise need, access to the original individual tracking either pre or post?

I am just a guy that plays in a band. But, (and here's the part that makes me dangerous) if my band tracks a tune, I wanna bring those tracks home and screw around with them. You know...just for shits and giggles.

Recently, I have guys (house sound techs) tracking our tunes and then telling me that they can only pull them off disc in stereo. But, as they say, if we want them mastered they can do it for mo money.

Hit me back guys, I think I'm in the right place.

Sid

Sonicsid wrote:

Q. Is there multi-tracking recording equipment that is incapable of single track transfer to CD, DVD or some earth known media? (edit: vague I know, I guess my question is why own expensive multi-track gear that doesn't allow this?)

Pro Tools is one system that does not allow you to transfer directly to CD. I still don't know why that haven't added this feature yet, but there are plenty of third party products that you can use for CD creation outside of Pro Tools. Why?, not exactly clear. But my guess is that there are other development priorities. That said, it's still a great system and is one of the most popular DAWs in the US.

Sonicsid wrote:

Q. (....and here's the stupid question of the century), Does mastering imply that the technician does not have, or otherwise need, access to the original individual tracking either pre or post?

Usually not. Sometimes MEs like to work from stems, but they're stereo mixdowns of groups (e.g. vocals, gtrs, drums) not the source tracks. If a mix is good, the stereo mixdown is all that's needed.
_________________
Tom Volpicelli
The Mastering House Inc.
http://www.masteringhouse.com
CD Mastering and Media Production Services

Thanks for the reply, and a MOd, no less.

I'm certain my question is unclear, however.

Let's say we recorded live, digitally, on ten tracks. The lead vocal was on one of those tracks. I only want the lead vocal (.wav, et al) transfered to media.

I guess premix is the term I'm fumbling around for. Please forgive my semantic ignorance. I'm here to learn.

Sonicsid wrote:

Thanks for the reply, and a MOd, no less. I'm certain my question is unclear, however. Let's say we recorded live, digitally, on ten tracks. The lead vocal was on one of those tracks. I only want the lead vocal (.wav, et al) transfered to media. I guess premix is the term I'm fumbling around for. Please forgive my semantic ignorance. I'm here to learn.

No problem If I understand correctly, you would only bounce down the vocal track, then make a CD from that file. Or you can make a CD from the original audio track of the vocal.
_________________
Tom Volpicelli
The Mastering House Inc.
http://www.masteringhouse.com
CD Mastering and Media Production Services

If your recording those 10 tracks at 44.1khz 16-bit, using a daw or computer. Then all you haver to do is (give a specific name to that track)>go to the session folder>chose the audio folder> drag and drop the audio file to your desktop>burn it to CD from there. Or like masteringhouse said.

in the live situation.


when the tracks go into the mixer what are they being recorded onto?

you say digital

so a computer or a portable recorder?

all of these devices have options to output your individual tracks.
if your Studio mixer or tracker is telling you otherwise they are just trying to screw you for Cash.
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Stacey the Pagan Goddess of digitalindustry.