Help! Don't know what I need!

[rsunizt]

O.k I don't know what kind of interface I need to start using Using a DAW. Sytly of music is Hip hop.

I have :
Mackie 32-8 mixer
M-audio tampa Mic Pre
EV RE20 Mic
Emu-sp1200 sampler-8 outs
Mc50mk2-sequencer
DJ-70 Keyboard sampler-2 outs
Emu-MOPhatt synth 2-0uts
Samplitude 7 to multitrack

I am going to be using a 3.0 Ghz Pentium4 with 1 gig DDR Ram,
The pc will be used only for Recording, mastering. I want to be able to utilize the mackie mixer for monitoing the mix I have recorded into the PC and to use the mixers main outs to reocrd my mix to DAT Tape, so I can save the DRY mix on the PC and add Effects on the way out to DAT.

I would like to Sync my PC to my sequencer via midi so when I hit start on the sequencer the PC program starts recording.

I don't think its possible using samplitude (or any other software) to record 8 tracks at one time into the PC, but this is what I would lkie to do. My drum tacks are usually 6-8 elements and I like to have them each on their own track and I would like to be able to reord them into their seperate tracks all at one time. So I guess what i need is:

Sound card with 16 inputs and 16 outputs?
Midi interface?
Software that can record muliple tracks at once?

Please give me some suggestions. I hope I was able to clearly portray what I am after.

Thanks!

[Easto]

I'm not sure if there are any 16 in/out sound cards out there. You may want to look into the RME Multiface and the Echo Layla. I believe those are both 10+10.

Most sofware will allow you to record as many tracks at the same time as you soundcard has inputs (even a couple more if you're recording Midi at the same time). This is also subject to your systems specs but with the limited amount of info you give about your system you should be ok.

[martin armsby]

I don't think its possible using samplitude (or any other software) to record 8 tracks at one time into the PC, but this is what I would lkie to doIt certainly is and the cards supporting more I/O with high quality converters are increasing monthly now.
I'd avoid using two 8 channel cards to make up your 16 I/Os because of PCI bus limitations. RME stuff is good but they're behind on high track counts at high resolution due to the ADAT format restrictions.

MoTu has a great unit you may consider:
MoTu 24 i/o (http://www.motu.com/english/motuaudio/24IO/body.html)
Based on the PCI424 card which handles 96 channels, the rack expansion units offer a very flexible sytem.
Works very nicely with Samplitude!

cheers

M

[nutrino]

My drum tacks are usually 6-8 elements and I like to have them each on their own track and I would like to be able to reord them into their seperate tracks all at one time.

If you only need 6-8 tracks, check out this other motu.
http://www.motu.com/english/motuaudio/896/body.html
Has 8 preamps and converters, so you could get all your drums at once. I'm getting one soon. It's nice :)

-Nick