how to multitrack with a consumer card?

[nautama]

Hi there, I hope some one can help me. The thing is this: I have a terrific pc which I want to use for recording, but, while I save the money for a pretty decent multitrack recording device I've been trying to multitrack with a consumer card which in fact is integrated to my motherboard. The program I've used is adobe audition 2.0 and I really don't know what's wrong, in the multitrack view of audition I get to specify the separate inputs (my card has 3 inputs, one stereo and two monos) from which I want each channel to record, but when I press record all the channels record the same thing, no separate channels, is like I had two o three identical channels mixed down with two or three instruments, no useful situation at all.

I really believe that even if my card is a joke for professional recording there must be a way for multitracking with it, when I go to the small speaker icon in the task bar and change the recording source and go back to audition what happens is that all the channels I've armed for recording will just record another input, but every one will record the same mutual signal.

Can anyone help me? I'd really apreciate.

[GZsound]

Hi there, I hope some one can help me. The thing is this: I have a terrific pc which I want to use for recording, but, while I save the money for a pretty decent multitrack recording device I've been trying to multitrack with a consumer card which in fact is integrated to my motherboard. The program I've used is adobe audition 2.0 and I really don't know what's wrong, in the multitrack view of audition I get to specify the separate inputs (my card has 3 inputs, one stereo and two monos) from which I want each channel to record, but when I press record all the channels record the same thing, no separate channels, is like I had two o three identical channels mixed down with two or three instruments, no useful situation at all.

I really believe that even if my card is a joke for professional recording there must be a way for multitracking with it, when I go to the small speaker icon in the task bar and change the recording source and go back to audition what happens is that all the channels I've armed for recording will just record another input, but every one will record the same mutual signal.

Can anyone help me? I'd really apreciate.

In each track in Adobe Audition, you have a box with input and output selections.

You need to pick the input in your track input section. Pick the sound card input you need and check left or right channel.

You also need to set the default track record to mono not stereo. That way you should be able to pick the exact input you want on each track and record a mono track from that input.

[tech1]

Of course, some built-in cards are not full-duplex, meaning they cannot separate input channels from output channels. They basically "record what you hear," and this may be the case with yours.

[TimOBrien]

Exactly why we try to get people to dump their mobo soundcards immedately.

They are built with less than $1 worth of parts for beeps, boops and light gaming, not recording. Your hundred$/thousand$ worth of software and instruments are NOT going to sound good or play nice through a $1 soundcard...

[ayok]

Hi.. you can try to use ASIO4ALL it's freeware and really works for both Cubase & Audition 2:D

[poorsod]

You needn't even try with onboard sound. As Tim says they are worth less than $1, so even if you overcome all the problems you will still have a joke of an A/D at the end of it all.

So do yourself a favour and get a prosumer or professional interface.

[tech1]

So do yourself a favour and get a prosumer or professional interface.
Ah, British spelling...Gotta love it...but yes, the A/D conversion process will definitely have an effect on how you hear (and thus engineer) your mixes. You can check out a list of inexpensive interfaces (http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces/low2high) that will allow you to record dicreet channels, AND sound much, much better than the $1 motherboard part. Be sure you check the features so you can find that thatmeets the same input/output connection types you already have.

[GZsound]

That is good advice. A cheap thirty dollar Behringeer (gasp) USB interface would give you much better quality than just about any on board sound card.

[tech1]

* gasping in horror * ;)

[casper]

The only thing that would be worth trying is if you already have a non- powered mixer or can borrow one, and use it. You also, need a cable to connect the mixer to the 1/8" stereo INPUT of the soundcard. You need a 1/8" stereo plug to either stereo RCA male or 2 - 1/4" plugs depending on the output of the mixer. Once its connected then you canrun the mics and inst into the mixer and pan the signals how you want them recorded. You can either record all the inst to a stereo track or each inst one track at a time.