Please excuse my ignorance in the matter, but I came across a
Teac A-334OS 4-track reel to reel and I am wondering if anybody knows what would be needed in order to transfer all 4 tracks to a mixing program. Also, I am trying to find out if it's possible to synch up an additional 4 tracks to the first 4 once converted to digital (obviously the desired effect here is to get 8 synchronized analog tracks out of a 4-track machine). Because I am a big fan of the way this tape machine sounds, I am only looking for a basic program that will allow me to synch up the two groups of 4 tracks, mix them and possibly run a pseudomastering program so I can burn a cdr at "the end of the day". Also, would an interface be necessary, and which software would be appropriate? If anyone has any suggestions or remarks, I'd be much obliged.

OK, I found out part of the answer to my question...that it would be much easier to mix down the first 4 tracks to one track on the tape machine, do 3 overdubs, and then bounce those 4 tracks back to the computer.

What I am wondering now is should I take mr. guitar center's advice and purchase a MOTU 828MK2 interface, or is there a comparable interface I am unaware of? Also, would it deplete the sound of the original tape if I were to carry out the aforementioned process with a multi-track digital recorder with a built-in cdr burner in place of a computer? All I am trying to do is get 8 analog tracks out of a 4-track tape machine mixed and onto a cdr at the end of a session. Much obliged for any suggestions or comments.

.eater wrote:OK, I found out part of the answer to my question...that it would be much easier to mix down the first 4 tracks to one track on the tape machine, do 3 overdubs, and then bounce those 4 tracks back to the computer.

What I am wondering now is should I take mr. guitar center's advice and purchase a MOTU 828MK2 interface, or is there a comparable interface I am unaware of? Also, would it deplete the sound of the original tape if I were to carry out the aforementioned process with a multi-track digital recorder with a built-in cdr burner in place of a computer? All I am trying to do is get 8 analog tracks out of a 4-track tape machine mixed and onto a cdr at the end of a session. Much obliged for any suggestions or comments.

I am not familiar with your tape machine, but I'd personally avoid bouncing as it increases noise and reduces quality.

Mr GC seems to be talking a little out of his arse, although I don't know exactly what he was saying, so....

Basically, you can get yourself a 4-in soundcard, preferably 24bit, perhaps with 96KHz capability and then you can record all first 4 tracks simultaneously from the tape machine to your computer leaving 4 tape tracks free.

Now you can play back these four tracks on the computer, press record on you tape machine, and track along with the original first four tracks.

At this point you will have four tracks on tape, and four tracks on the computer.

You will need to now sync. these up however so that they play back in time. There are different ways of achieving this. Does the tape machine have MIDI implementation? If so, you could synchronise the recording via MIDI.

The other approach to synchronising the two groups of tracks is to import the second group of tape tracks to the computer and then align them to the original four tracks. There should be a simple-ish way of doing this. For instance, you could have long click intro on the original four tracks (which are already on the computer) which you could record at the beginning of tracks 5-8 when recording (you would have to only record the clicks from the computer to tape at the beginning of the tracks, but mute them after otherwide you would record the computer tracks to the tape machine). This would allow you to align them using a wave editor in the computer.

What I have written here doesn't read very clearly at all - sorry.

Basically, look for a 4 input sound card and you should be on your way.

Someone else might chip in with more suggestions.

Rodabod wrote:Mr GC seems to be talking a little out of his arse, although I don't know exactly what he was saying, so....

The MOTU would actually be fine by the way - it's just overkill. M-Audio will make something suitable, although their equipment is pro-sumer. You may want to look for better quality depending on your use.

Thanks!

people that have bought the presonus stuff speak very highly of the products. save $ vs the motu that way...

The only damper on the otherwise sound idea that rodabod put forth is the variance in tape speeds between the initial 4-track recording playback that's been recorded to your computer and the following sets of 4-track overdubs. You are never going to get the second (or third, etc) set of 4-track overdubs to sync perfectly with the computer during playback. If this doesnt bother you, then that's fine, but I would recommend doing all additional overdubbing in the computer if possible.

Rodabod is thinking along the right lines. If you really want to record everything on the Teac first then you could record timecode to one track and have the computer follow the timecode. You'll need a timecode to MIDI and word clock convertor in order to do this though. You'll only be able to use 3 tracks at a time on the Teac if you've got timecode on the fourth.

Having the timecode reader generate MIDI AND word clock will eliminate any problems due to speed variations. Some analogue machines are stable enough to not really require word clock but I'm not sure if your Teac falls into this category.

Cheers

James.

Another question along these lines: my band recorded live demos to a Tascam Portastudio 424 mk III; one mic for drums, guitar and bass direct. Naturally there was an excessive amount of bleed which occurred, however that's of no concern as these are only demos for ourselves, something we'd give out for free, at the very most.

Our friend tansfered these tracks to Cool Edit Pro for us by recording each soloed track one at a time. Is there anyway I could sync and burn these tracks without redoing it with a 4 input sound card?

monotone wrote:Is there anyway I could sync and burn these tracks without redoing it with a 4 input sound card?

Syncing these tracks currently is not really an option.

With only a one-input soundcard, I would do the following:

I would go back to your four track tape, and rewind it to the beginning. I would then simultaneously record a few clicks (metronome, claps, beeps, whatever) to all tracks at the same volume at the beginning. Obviously only do this before the music starts or you will copy over your performance.

Then, I'd get all the tracks in cool edit, get each track all in the same window, one above the other, magnify the beginning of each of the tracks to the same degree, and then align them so that the clicks coincide. Alternatively, crop each track by deleting the silence at the beginning until the transient of the very first click.

Of course a four-input soundcard might be less hassle.