[XCSSA] Re: [SATLUG] Multitrack recording query

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

[Cross posting to XCSSA]
On Monday 11 September 2006 04:57, Donguitar wrote:
[...]
> I want to build her a Linux multitrack studio and teach her how to use it
> so she can make her own demos.  I've got a 733 MHz IBM that should probably
> work just fine (if not, I'll buy a faster machine from RetroBox) and I've
> been researching Open Source recording apps.

The big thing you're going to want is a lot of RAM.  At least 1 GB.  
With multitrack audio.. you want lots of RAM.  If you're only running a 733, 
you probably don't want to run a full desktop environment like KDE or Gnome.  
Probably more something like FluxBox, FVWM, of XFCE.  EIther that or get 
soemthing faster.

> I've got a nice 16 channel 
> Tascam mixing board and a rackmount effects panel I'm not using.

Good for input level adjustment.. but you can also do this in PC hardware 
too.. although I prefer to keep my mic level inputs OUTSIDE the PC.. as it is 
electrically a very RF/AF noisy environment.


> The recording needs are simple.  She wants demos of songs she's written. 
> No sampling or digital magic is required.  Most of the time she'll need
> four tracks or less for her voice (melody & harmony tracks) and her guitar
> but I'd like to give her the ability to mix in additional instruments
> and/or voices if she wishes.

Check our Audacity:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/

My brother's a musician and it's all he uses now.


Also check out Audor (I haven't tried this one yet.. but it looks cool):
http://www.ardour.org/

I'll also cross post this to XCSSA.  Be sure to ask our audio expert Charles 
about multi-channel audio cards.. he's they guy to ask about all things 
audio.

Tweeks