USB recording device questions

but, the main thing they were saying is u cant record more than 2 tracks at once with usb. whereas, the units they're recommending, u can record 8 or more at once. thats my whole thing. i basically want to track from my mpc into my pc and then cut and paste (or whatever) from there. but, as u know, if u do it 2 tracks at a time this can be tedious.

what am i saying is that thru my experience you can record all 4 inputs at once. why would a company put 4 inputs on a machine but you cant use it. it like buying a car with 700 horsepower but can only use 150 horsepower. this just does not make since. i have a mpc2000 with 8 out and have recorded with us428 using 4 inputs. i have also record 4 input from my mackie sr32x4 mixer into my us428. so i am confused with that statement "you cant record 4 input at once with the tascam us428". you can.

plus, i know that mpc is a great machine but as far as drum machine goes (not sequencers) native instruments intakt will kill the mpc anyday of the week for $150. intakt imports battery, wave, akai samples, has a beat slicer (where you could slice a sampler up and add different effects to each slice of the sample) and even reverse the sample or reverse the slice, timestretching (any sample tempo is governed by the tempo of the sequencer), up to 32 outputs and the list goes on. i forgot about filter for each slice of a sample and a master filter.

so the point that i am making is THAT I OWN A US428 AND HAVE USED IT FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND YOU CAN RECORD 4 INPUTS AT ONCE.

[email protected] tight...i didn't know that. glad u could clarify that for me...one thing though, i heard the 428 doesnt have phantom power for my mic

actually, just looking at more of the 428's specs, it looks like it does have 2 XLR inputs and four channels of audio in and two out simultaneously via USB.

when i do post i am talking from experence not just to hear myself talk. with the right sequencing/audio app tascam us428 is a pretty powerful combination for the price. again, midi interface, control surface and audio.

I never said u weren't I'm def gonna weigh my options though. I like the tascams though

djames wrote:I was told that USB can only transfer 4 mono or 2 stereo tracks at a time period.

that's what I said 4 inputs (mono) with the choice I suggested you get 12 inputs for the same price. 10 that can be recorded simultaneously. I don't think you guys feel me. That is all 8 outs from your MPC and a stereo track from your sound modules or 2 mono tracks. I can track a whole song in 10 minutes!

yeah thats my thing. the cost will be the same. only thing additional really is having the pci card put in. i dont know $hit about installing in my pc. but, i DEF need those inputs recording all at once. i'm just gonna shop around for installation pricing. will the cards work with any op. sys? i use 98 se.

Yeah windows 98 will work, It should'nt be that much to get a PCI card installed, but with a screwdriver you can do it in like 30 minutes or less for free. It is just plug and play.

1st. power down the computer, and disconnect everything.
2nd. open the case usually by unscrewing the back, some cases come with release latches.
3rd. Locate open PCI slots, preferably two together.
4th. Insert cards, close and screw shut case, and power up.
5th. Install drivers and do your thing!

but, what am i connecting the card to inside of the cpu. is there some sort of connector at the slots once i open her up?

yo, just get a plug and play soundcard. open the chasis, find the pci slot (the short one), insert the card, close chasis, load drivers, set perference and you are set. takes no more than 20 minute. you should also learn how because if you are planning to be in the game awhile you will most likely will open another computer or 2 in your life time.

true that. Thanks fellas

mwalker
What I meant was that the USB 1.1 bus doesn't have enough bandwidth for dealing with lot's of audio tracks in reasonable quality*.

Recording 4 mono tracks simultaneously instead of 2 isn't that much of a practical improvement the way I see it. Perhaps it's enough if you use mostly your computer for sound generation and sequencing, but if you mainly use outboard gear it quickly starts to be a hassle.

* My definition of reasonable quality is 24bit/48khz.

digital, i agree but the problem here is price -vs- proformance. if money is not problem get digi001/002 and have a pro-tools setup.

PCI cards tend to be cheaper / input than USB ones. Got mine used for 2200 SEK (that's around US $280). 8 in/8 out, and I can use everything at once in 96khz.