8 Outs question...

Currently Im working with the 2kxl with expanded memory and no 8outs. I record my beats into my PC for editing and mastering, usually recording one track at a time for mixing purposes and then resequencing on the computer. As you can imagine this can become a hassle but I found I get better sound quality this way rather than recording the beat as a whole. My question is if I were to get the 8 outs and the proper midi hookup on the PC (which would be??) would I have the ability to record the beat as a whole onto the pc making each track seperate (ie drums, bass, samples, etc) on the pc for editing and mastering? I dont know much about midi except the few articles I read on this site. Also right now Im recording into acid or soundforge, is there a better program out there to use for this type of midi recording?

Im not sure if Im on the right track with this one, so someone help me out please.

thanks

Acid or Soundforge are better used for audio recording in .wav format IMO. For midi there are some better programs to use such as Sonar or Cubase. I use Acid and Soundforge as well, but I just mix the track as well as I can on the MPC and then record it into Sound Forge. I usually only use ACID for vocals.
I am about to invest in a little 8 channel mixer solely for my MPCs 8 outs. My plan is to run the main outs on this new mixer to one of the channels on my main mixer that way I will have more control like you were saying.

Midi sync and 8 outs would make the job alot easier. The 8 outs would allow you to record 8 mono tracks or 4 stereo tracks at once. I use Logic audio and cubase to record my tracks, they're not that hard to use. But midi syncing is a must, it allows you to lay track over track on your comp without having to 'resequence'--like you said--it's all synced automatically. You need a midi interface for that, I have the midisport 1x1.

If you already have a mixer, it is better to get a larger mixer than to get a sub mixer.

That way effects sends and more importantly, sub group assignments are accesible.

i dont get it..if u have the 8 outs and a mixer with 8 ins hooked up.you can u just adjust the level eq all the instruments on ur mixer then record.why would u want to record each track seprately? whats the purpose of it?i mean if ur doin it to drop some instruments to change the beat a lil .u can do it live while u record or just make a couple sequence n mute some stuff out..WHATS the purpose?????????????????

Post performance flexibility, sound improvements. Sure you don't have to, but why do they make the 8 outs in the first place, and why do people get multi input soundcards? Cuz they're stupid?

To some it may be an extravangance, but it doesn't mean it is without its merits.

He said if he were to cop the ibm208p, he doesn't have it yet.......If you get it make sure your mixer can handle it send them into your mixer tweek your sounds then send it to your computer but a digital mixer with spdif outs and get a sound card with spdif inputs......fo'real

I think the 8 outs expansion would best be accompanied by an 8 input soundcard. I have a few pieces...and almost have enough inputs to match all my outputs. Its really a time saver.

so let me get this straight.if i get the 8 outs ima have to get a sound card with 8 ins.then ill be able record all 8 at the same time on seperate tracks?WHats the purpose of gettin a 8 in mixer then?and what if u have more then 8 instruments in sequence then what?

with the 8 out option you can send 8 lines of audio out of your mpc.......let say u track a track and you use 12 tracks in this beat you can always record the 8 outs turn those tracks off and then record then new 4 on to your program......there are a few ways of doing this but the number limit is 8 at a time when using the 8 out option





phatz

As far as the 8 in mixer someone told you that because you dont have the 8 in card.........this way you can tweek your tracks before you send them in the computer via the analog source





Phatz

I mean, as far as "why a mixer AND a souncard" when you have the 8 outs.. Sometimes you want to record 8, or 16, or 30, tracks out the MPC, and having 8 outs into the computer separate, w/ midisync for 8 at a time, sync pass after pass, is how you record. But, what about whhen you are just writing music or making a track, just on the mpc? What about your keyboards, etc, what about hearing back whats already IN the computer? These things all go into a mixing board situation. When I make a beat, unless I'm adding live guitar or something like that, I don't even turn the computer on at all. I mix thru my mixer. Then, when it's time to seriously record it multitrack, I go into the soundcard. For this reason, if you have an analog board, it's great to also get a patchbay. Your inserts sit on every channel, and are normalled back into the same insets, so you have them on the board. Then when you want to multitrack to the computer, you patch to the interface via the bay, breaking the insert normal, and sending it to the patch, in this case, into the computer. I use a digital board, and I just select digital 8outs, which goes directly into protools without picking up any eq, etc off the mixer. But sending out at the insert point on an analog board does the exact same thing; the insert stage happens right after the trim, and before all the eq etc. at any rate, I feel it's good to have a mixer to mix music on, and a recording interface to multitrack and mix final products on. Like, if your making a beat tape or something for your peoples, you might not want to spend time multitracking. But then, your making a joint someones gonna rhyme on, etc. then yeah, multitracki into the computer. It;s the best of both worlds...

and dont forget each of those outs can go anywhere you want it to before it reaches your computer (old guitar pedals, external eq, etc etc).

can you use the stereo outs for everything and then just run one or 2 things thru the 8outs?

yeah you can set it up that way. and dont foget the card also comes with a digital in and out.