Recording live

[bassboysam]

I would like to record a full band simultaneously and I was wondering what USB interface can do this. I am not very familiar with these thing but I found this
Tascam US1800 USB 2.0 Audio Interface at zZounds and i think it would work.


it looks to have 14 inputs which is great, i think we would use 6-8 at most but more is better. what i don't understand is the 4 outputs. are the tracks mixed together in the device? Ideally we would like to record all the inputs separately onto the recording software so that we can EQ and compress them individually on the PC/Laptop. In addition how does this connect to the computer, is the standard USB port suffcient?

sorry for the total newb question.

[rc_1manband]

FireWire interfaces would be the way to go. Presonus firestudio, mackie onyx series will get the job done.

[southpawpa]

Not being familiar with that particular device, the reason interfaces will typically have more than one set of outputs is because in addition to the unit being the link to get your inputs to your recording software, it also becomes the computers audio card.
The tracks are not mixed together in the device.
What ever mix you have in your software leaves the computer through the fire wire or usb ports & goes back through the interface to its outputs where you would connect your power amp & speakers or powered speakers.

You would use one pair of outputs as your mains, the others could be for head phone monitoring, different mixes for different performers, feed different head phone amps, or use one or a pair to route an already recorded track through an external effects unit to give you a few examples.

[bassboysam]

thanks, so even if i have 6 mics i only need to use one USB output to the PC correct?

[DuraMorte]

Originally Posted by bassboysam

thanks, so even if i have 6 mics i only need to use one USB output to the PC correct?

USB is not an 'output', it is a connection.

Signals flow both ways; in, through the mic inputs, which are digitized and sent to your computer for recording. Then, your DAW takes those signals, performs whatever functions you assign (effects, routing, whatever), streams that digital signal back to your interface, which converts it to an analog signal and outputs it to your interface's outputs based on how you configure your DAW.

[bassboysam]

thank you