STUPID usb interface question

[dr_sticks]

Hello all,

I'm new here and I have a question about the simultaneous recording abilities of these external usb interfaces I'm hearing about.

I am recording live drums and bass into my PC. The drums are going into a 12 channel mackie mixer with inserts and offboard compressors etc..the sound is fine and we are ready to record all of our songs. The mixer has a tape out phono socket which I send to the line in on a fairly crappy onboard PC soundcard (for some reason it refuses to record in stereo but I am a luddite only using one overhead mic so I can live with that).

Logically we would now record all the drum tracks and then put the bass on afterwards. However it would be SO much easier to record the two together. The kit mics hardly pick up any of the bass anyway so there is minimal leakage, so if I could seperate the two it would be brilliant.

Is there a USB interface out there that will record two tracks simultaneously, and if so does it work independently of whatever bundled recording software it comes with? I've got used to N-Track right now and I'd much rather stay with it.

I have oodles of other questions and potential advice to ask / give out but this is my introduction for now. Gracious thanks to those of you taking the time to read...

[richiebee]

Any two channel USB interface will record those channels separately.

Your current card probably records in mono because it only has one input. This would almost certainly be true if you're plugging into the mic in, or only input. If there's a separate mic and line in and you're plugging into the line in, it might not be the case.

[dr_sticks]

I've looked at a few 2 channel interfaces. In Britain they all start at the suspiciously round figure of 99 pounds. So for instance; the 'Alesis IO2 Portable USB Audio Interface' will give me two seperate inputs that I can specify to record simultaneously in the recording programme of my choosing?

[Electriclight]

Originally Posted by dr_sticks

I've looked at a few 2 channel interfaces. In Britain they all start at the suspiciously round figure of 99 pounds. So for instance; the 'Alesis IO2 Portable USB Audio Interface' will give me two seperate inputs that I can specify to record simultaneously in the recording programme of my choosing?

Yup, that is a decent piece of equipment if you think you will never need more than two inputs.

But if you are really in to recording drums you may soon catch the fever when you realize all the cool things to be done if only you could capture the kick seperate from the snare etc. etc.

Before you know it you will want to get an interface that gives you 8 or more inputs. Something to think about...

[dr_sticks]

Originally Posted by Electriclight

Yup, that is a decent piece of equipment if you think you will never need more than two inputs.

But if you are really in to recording drums you may soon catch the fever when you realize all the cool things to be done if only you could capture the kick seperate from the snare etc. etc.

Before you know it you will want to get an interface that gives you 8 or more inputs. Something to think about...

EIGHT inputs? On USB? That would be heaven. You've really got me thinking now.

[brandondrury]

EIGHT inputs? On USB? That would be heaven. You've really got me thinking now.

Well, you'd need USB 2.0 or Firewire for that, but that's an $8 upgrade.

Brandon

[dr_sticks]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Well, you'd need USB 2.0 or Firewire for that, but that's an $8 upgrade.

Brandon

Yes - haha, I do actually have a PC with a USB 2.0 socket! I've looked around and there are some relatively cheap interface options that claim 8 channel simultaneous recording. I think I'll post a seperate thread for drummers / people who regularly record drummers. Thanks Brandon and Electriclight!

[fivewest]

Check this one out. My buddy has one, and is very happy with it. I personally also have had very good luck with Tascam products. Good luck!

Buy Tascam US-1641 10-channel Audio/MIDI USB 2.0 Computer Interface online

[dr_sticks]

Hey Fivewest, that TASCAM US-1641 USB is the first thing Ive seen that looks any good. Thanks! Can I ask a question? When you plug a mic into each xlr socket does the interface detect this and then assign this as a channel to be sent via USB? Such simplicity would be a dream...I'm hoping it true!

[brandondrury]

When you plug a mic into each xlr socket does the interface detect this and then assign this as a channel to be sent via USB?

This is how all of the multi-channel audio interfaces work. You simply need to route the correct input to your track and you are done. (There is a few minutes of setup time initially, but that's no big deal).