How do you mix tracks together?

[chillowack]

I've reached a point where I've got too many tracks recorded, and they're starting to get off-time and jumbled.

Would the solution to this problem be to mix down or "compress" multiple tracks into one, thus creating more space?

If so: how do I create a mix which can then be imported back into Audacity and recorded over?

I've tried exporting the files as .WAV and .MP3, but I have not yet figured out how to bring these files back into Audacity so that I can record over them.

[paul999]

How many tracks do you have recorded? Are they off time because you played off time or because the cpu is overloaded? Bouncing tracks is the term you are looking for. You really shouldn't need to do this.

[chillowack]

Originally Posted by paul999

How many tracks do you have recorded? Are they off time because you played off time or because the cpu is overloaded? Bouncing tracks is the term you are looking for. You really shouldn't need to do this.

They're off time because the CPU is overloaded. Thanks for the term "bouncing," I had forgotten that.

Why do you think bouncing tracks is never necessary?

I have many vocal tracks and vocal harmonies in my work, they take up many tracks.

While waiting for help here, I discovered the "Quick Mix" command, which has allowed me to achieve my goal; but if anyone has any other advice or input along these lines, I am interested to learn. Thanks!

[AliveAndkickin]

Where is this "Quick Mix" Command....and how is it used? I am a novice at this stuff and I am sooooo confused at times.

[chillowack]

Originally Posted by AliveAndkickin

Where is this "Quick Mix" Command....and how is it used? I am a novice at this stuff and I am sooooo confused at times.

Hi AliveAndkickin,

The "Quick Mix" command is found in the "Project" menu, along the top of the screen.

How I used it was I went to the "Edit" menu, clicked on "Select All" (to highlight all the tracks), then clicked on "Quick Mix."

This mixed together (or "bounced") all the tracks into one, thus stabilizing the existing recording and freeing up the rest of the tracks for me to work with.

Another user said they didn't think bouncing was necessary, but maybe that person doesn't use a lot of tracks like I do. I find bouncing essential, otherwise the CPU can't handle all the data and stuff starts getting jumbled.

[paul999]

Sorry Chillowack for taking so long to get back to you on this thread. I forgot that you are using audacity. I am not sure if there is a track limit on it or not. I have a simple Imac and playback upwards of 100 tracks in cubase at once with little to no processing without an issue. Bottom line if you you are going to bounce try to do it in a logical way ie. group multiple backup vox together, do drums as another group, rhythm guitars in yet another. Keep bass, lead vox and solo's separate so you can adjust as necessary.

Hope this helps

[chillowack]

Originally Posted by paul999

Sorry Chillowack for taking so long to get back to you on this thread. I forgot that you are using audacity. I am not sure if there is a track limit on it or not. I have a simple Imac and playback upwards of 100 tracks in cubase at once with little to no processing without an issue. Bottom line if you you are going to bounce try to do it in a logical way ie. group multiple backup vox together, do drums as another group, rhythm guitars in yet another. Keep bass, lead vox and solo's separate so you can adjust as necessary.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the tips, paul999! That makes sense, and I will keep it in mind.

Cubase sounds like a good program; is it expensive? Or can you download it for free like Audacity?

[paul999]

It is not free but if you buy an interface it will come with cubase le or protools le. Interfaces start at about $200. I use cubase studio 4. Software alone is $400 now it is cubase 5

[chillowack]

Originally Posted by paul999

It is not free but if you buy an interface it will come with cubase le or protools le. Interfaces start at about $200. I use cubase studio 4. Software alone is $400 now it is cubase 5

Thanks for the info. My shoestring budget constrains me to stay with Audacity for the moment, but thankfully it has almost everything I need.

Do Cubase or Protools come with a built-in drum program? That's the only essential component I'm lacking, in my fledgling little home studio.

[paul999]

Do

Cubase or Protools come with a built-in drum program? That's the only essential component I'm lacking, in my fledgling little home studio.

[/QUOTE]

You can program drums in cubase for sure