separating tracks

[leelf]

Hi! I have an old mixer which was used for an analog 8 track recorder, and I'm basically running it into a sound card via phono outs into the soundcards input, but I cannot separate tracks on the computer, so it basically just works as a pre amp with up to 8 tracks. is there anyway to separate tracks on a non usb mixer going into the soundcard or should I just invest in a usb mixer?
thanks
lee

[tacman7]

I don't know that you need a mixer now days, more of an interface with as many inputs as you need to record at the same time. If you only do two tracks at a time then most any interface would work, just keep laying down new tracks two at a time.

If you got an interface with enough inputs then you could still use your mixer if you wanted. If it was an 8 bus mixer it could do 8 tracks at a time if you had the interface.

But a lot of the new interfaces are good enough quality where you wouldn't need a mixer anyway, each input could have preamp/EQ/compression etc. in the box.

[leelf]

so if I was to purchase a usb mixer I would not be able to separate the tracks without an audio interface? what is the purpose of an interface?
lee

[BatPat]

The interface is the sounds way into the soundcard. The soundcards number of inputs determines how many tracks you can record at once. But with a USB mixer you don't need an interface and you get by with only 2 inputs. I have no experience with USB mixers so I don't know if they are any good.
Here's a link about interfaces.

I had to look up USB mixers. Found a Yamaha 16 channel, but it says you can record stereo audio. Since it is USB I thought it would spit out 16 separate channels Pretty useless to have a 16 channel USB mixer and only be able to record in stereo? Someone has invented the wheel again?
So it seems like you have to have an 8 input soundcard...

[fortyseven]

an interface is a device which allows you to connect instruments and other devices to a computer in order to record them. these days you get multiple input interfaces so if I was you I would be looking at an interface instead of a mixer. mixers have very little use in todays home studios.

[BatPat]

Oops! I must have missed something crucial? An interface for me is not a recording device, but a "gadget" you link soundsources to the soundcard. Then there are combinations of interface/soundcard (workstations) like Digi 002.