best way to link a PA system to PC?

[mystro]

Hi, me and my band want to do some recording, we have a PC, a PA system, lots of mics and stuff like that, but all we have is an M-audio external soundcard, my guitar teacher is school thinks it might work but only for 2 inputs, so what would you guys recommend?

[reddrum]

Your guitar teacher is correct -- it will work but only for 2 tracks at a time or a stereo mix. -- You could experimint with miking up everything and mixing to a Left&Right buss and send that through your interface into whatever DAW software you are using but chances are you willnot get good results...
If it were my system and I was limited to the equipment you have I would :

1: Isolate and mic the drums, Mix them to a L & R buss send that to the DAW -- track the drums.
2: Everyone else record there parts onto its own track/tracks 1 at a time.

Mix it down:::

You will have to experimint some with getting a good drum mix and sound but you should be able to get good result if you take your time getting a good mix on the drums beforehand!!!

[rty13ibz98]

would it be out of the question to get an interface with more inputs?
if you want to use what you have, your going to REALLY limit yourself on drum production.
it basically has to be a spot on mix coming from the mixer. nothing can be done in post.
at the minimum 3-4 ins just for the drums. i record between 8-16 for drums...just drums.
at least 4 for kick, snare, OHL, OHR. you won't be able to get your scratch instrument tracks on. hopefully there is a click track in your DAW and you all play to the same arrangement. if not, then best of luck to you. you will need it.


rich

[rty13ibz98]

one other thought, can you just rehearse until you're tight and spend some money for studio time to just record your drums. have them export the wav files and bring them back home to record overdubs and mix.

rich

[mystro]

ive got to be honest with you guys, i do not understand a word of this haha, guess thats why im taking a music tech course when i get to collage.

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by mystro

ive got to be honest with you guys, i do not understand a word of this haha, guess thats why im taking a music tech course when i get to collage.

hate to sound rude, but if you don't understand what we are saying, then you have no business recording at this particular moment. i understand the desire to do so, just as most try to do complicated sweeping patterns with no idea what the technique is based upon.
same applies to all things, recording is no exception.
at tis point, you are just better off getting your songs together and paying for studio time.


rich

[mystro]

i understand what your saying yeah, but money is an issue at the moment, especialy with me after a new amp and floyd rose, ill see what happens for now.