How to Use Multi-Track Recording Equipment

Multi-track recording is a technique of sound recording that combines separate sound files or sources to build an editable/non-destructive audio project. Multi-track recording is used for the recording of music, video post-production and commercial and broadcast productions. Once the exclusive domain of expensive recording studios, multi-track is now affordable using stand-alone recorders or digital audio workstations (DAW) computer-based software. Here we will discuss the background and techniques of multi-track recording.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stand-alone or computer-based digital multi-track recorder
• Source sound files

1. 
   ProTools Edit Window Running on Mac OS X

   The two types of digital multi-track recorders used today include the stand-alone recorder and the computer-based software multi-track recorders. The stand-alone units are mostly used for low-end digital production and home studios. The cost for entry on computer-based units has so dramatically fallen in recent years, that they have become the standard for project studios and are the de facto standard for even small professional studios. ProTools is the most widely used software-based system. Adobe Audition, Logic Pro and Cubase are other popular software-based recording systems.

2. 
   TASCAM 16-Track Analog Audio Recorder

   The Beatles the Beach Boys were the first pop musicians to implement multi-track recording techniques. The advantages over direct-to-tape or disc recordings were staggering, allowing musicians to play their tracks at separate times, with the engineer making the final adjustments to the mix-down. Not only do today’s digital multi-track recorders allow the addition of more tracks, they also allow non-destructive editing and mixing of the tracks.

3. 
   CoolEdit/Adobe Audition Running on Windows

   Today’s computer-based digital multi-tracks allow the user to use the computer's graphical user interface to edit sound files in much the same way a text editor works. The sound files can be moved up and down the timeline of the recording and from track to track. Files can be copied and pasted on to any track or anywhere on the timeline of the tracks available in the edit window. Sound files can easily be made into loops, whereby small measures of music or sounds can be extended indefinitely, and also reversed or rearranged in any order.

4. 
   Ardour Open Source Software Running on Ubuntu Linux

   Digital multi-tracks allow for an almost endless possibilities with sound processing. DAWs can utilize numerous audio processing standards including compression, expansion, normalization, flanging, phase shifting, reverb, EQ and virtually any sound manipulation that was previously available only as a stand-alone outboard processing unit. Digital processing is usually accomplished by the use of a plug-in that is routed in digital sends and returns, in much the same way analog mixing boards approached the process with expensive outboard units. Plug-ins are available in numerous formats, including VST, RTAS, Steinberg, Cubase and even open source LADSPA.

5. 
   Mac OS X Consumer Level Multi-Track “Garage Band” Software

   The use of effects and plug-ins on multi-track DAWs provides expansive and limitless processing possibilities. Plug-ins can be linked together, routed and linked from track to track in a chain, and different plug-ins can be assigned to different individual tracks, to the final mix-down or any combination of tracks, all in a totally non-destructive manner. With the affordability of DAWs and their flexibility for music and post-production applications, serious hobbyists and professionals have embraced this important technology.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your tracks in a logical order with vocals, drums, guitars, SFX and loops that have roughly the same volume and EQ characteristics together.
• Be careful of plug-in overload. Uses processing sparingly and always compare how the processing works on individual tracks and in the mix.
• Never mix on headphones. Always try to mix on two different pairs of speakers--one that has the characteristics of car or portable radio speakers and another pair more faithful to the speakers on a high-end home stereo.

[Jammax]

on 10/27/2008 I looked and read all through this site THINKING that I would be led to a HOW TO about how to get the most out of my KORG d3200 32 track digital work station only to get ran all over to dead ends about what to PURCHACE to learn about my recorder,or work stations
at all!Would somebody please help me with this and find that information past the basic "assign tracks" and add effects but walking me through it,so I can do it all from scratch myself.The first ad said FREE INFORMATION,I have found the same info in the manuel IF FOUND AT ALL PLEASE help me get through to a helpful FREE direction as stated as the web address stated.Sincerely hopeful
Jam Max