This may seem like a dumb question to some experts in PC recording but I wanted to know what hardware there is that will allow me to record on my pc and have each track actually recorded on the PC so that I can do all the mixing on the computer. Some of the hardware I have looked at only send a stereo right and left to the computer through usb or firewire conections. I want all the tracks on the laptop. Thanks for any help you can give.

jcorlew wrote:

This may seem like a dumb question to some experts in PC recording but I wanted to know what hardware there is that will allow me to record on my pc and have each track actually recorded on the PC so that I can do all the mixing on the computer. Some of the hardware I have looked at only send a stereo right and left to the computer through usb or firewire conections. I want all the tracks on the laptop. Thanks for any help you can give.

You need to be searching for an "audio interface" such as:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGGL,GGGL:2006-21,GGGL:en&q=audio+interface

Many different interfaces exist and members of this board will contribute their favourites.

You will also need multi-tracking software to capture the signals, names of software include:

Cubase
Nuendo
Logic
ProTools

... and various others.
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Recording Studio Suntans

Also, you may want to consider not recording on a laptop as it probably will not have the processing power required for multi-tracking software like cubase or protools. Some of the interfaces come with pre-amps, but some don't. If you don't have a mic pre-amp, you won't be able to really pick up signals effectively either. Also be aware of the interfaces that are only compatible with certain software EX: (Delta 1010 audio interface is only compatible with ProTools M-Powered).
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down

CrimsonDrummer wrote:

Also be aware of the interfaces that are only compatible with certain software EX: (Delta 1010 audio interface is only compatible with ProTools M-Powered).

Where are you getting your information from?

I have succesfully used mAudio products with BOTH Protools AND Cubase......

I was told by an protools engineer who just graduated from MIT with a degree in sound engineering that the Delta 1010 rack system doesn't work with anything but pro tools M-Powered. I'm not sure about the Delta 1010LE, but according to him the rack mount was only designed for M-Powered. Sorry if I'm mistaken, again, I'm new to the whole recording thing and can only go off of what I've learned so far......
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down

I did not mean to step on your toes at all, but that information from the *cough* MIT grad is bullshit. I had a delta 1010 rack for sevaral years, and used it easily with Cubase and Protools (NOT mpowered), without a hitch. I decided to go with cubase as I upgraded equipment, just because IMO it's a tad more user friendly.

Stay away from the 1010 LE. The rack mount is nothing more than a way to get signal into software.