PC-Based Multitrack Recording FAQ ============================================================================ PC-Based Multitrack Recording Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List ============================================================================ Last Updated: September 25, 1994 Previously maintained by: Kevin Dangoor (tazzzzz@eecs.umich.edu) NOTICE: The maintainer of this FAQ is not associated with any of the companies whose products are listed here. The information contained herein cannot be assumed to be official. It's just information that made its way to the FAQ maintainer. Trademarks are owned by their respective companies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (#) denotes a changed topic since the last FAQ. SECTION 1: General Information 1.0 Where can I get this FAQ? 1.1 Why multitrack with a PC instead of using tape? 1.2 What kind of hardware do I need? 1.3 How much disk space do I need? 1.4 What multitrack playback packages are covered in the FAQ? 1.5 What multitrack record and playback packages are covered? SECTION 2: Quad from Turtle Beach Systems 2.1 What is Quad? 2.2 How do I contact Turtle Beach Systems? 2.3 How can I get more information about Turtle Beach products? 2.4 What does it take to sync to a sequencer? SECTION 3: Software Audio Workshop (SAW) from Innovative Quality Software 3.1 What is SAW? 3.2 How do I contact IQS? 3.3 Is it four track, or eight? 3.4 What does it take to sync to a sequencer? 3.5 What is the SAW Utilities Rack #1? 3.6 Where can I find a demo of SAW? 3.7 Has SAW been reviewed? SECTION 4: Session 8 from Digidesign 4.1 What is Session 8? 4.2 How do I contact Digidesign? 4.3 Has Session 8 been reviewed? SECTION 5: Audio Prisma from Spectral Synthesis 5.1 What is Audio Prisma? 5.2 How do I contact Spectral Synthesis? SECTION 6: SSHDR1 from Soundscape Digital Technology 6.1 What is SSHDR1 (Soundscape)? 6.2 How do I contact Soundscape Digital Technology 6.3 Has Soundscape been reviewed? ========================================================================== SECTION 1: General Information ========================================================================== # 1.0 Where can I get this FAQ? This FAQ is posted around the first or fifteenth of each month to the Usenet groups comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.music and comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.misc. It is also available via the Web at URL: http://www.engin.umich.edu/~tazzzzz/faq. Stay tuned for this FAQ to start appearing on news.answers and to be archived at the normal sites. 1.1 Why multitrack with a PC instead of using tape? PC-based hard disk recording allows for high quality sound and easy editing. CDs demonstrated how nice random access is for listening to music, and hard disk recording provides that same advantage over tape recording methods. There is another advantage to hard disk recording (or any digital recording medium) versus analog tape. You have basically unlimited tracks at your disposal, because you can keep bouncing multiple tracks down to one without any degradation of signal quality. 1.2 What kind of hardware do I need? You'll want a reasonably fast computer so that you're not constantly waiting on the computer. 486SX/33 is an acceptable minimum. You need a large, fast hard drive (see 1.3 below). You'll need a soundcard (which card you use will depend on the software and your requirements). You'll need Windows 3.1. 8MB of RAM is recommended. You'll also need a good backup device so that you can archive your music when you need to free up disk space. 1.3 How much disk space do I need? A lot. If you want to record CD quality music (16 bit, 44.1kHz, stereo), you need approximately 11MB per minute of record time. If you have a four minute song that has four stereo tracks running through the whole song, you need 11MB * 4 minutes * 4 tracks = 176MB. Add another 44MB if you want to mix down to a two track file. Keep in mind also that every time you bounce tracks down you'll probably want to keep the source tracks for future editing. So, you'll have e. Won't work. Audio data is inherently very random, and that means it is virtually uncompressable. Also, you'll be happier without the performance hit incurred by Stacker or DoubleSpace, especially considering they aren't doing anything for your record time anyhow. 1.4 What multitrack playback packages are covered in the FAQ? This FAQ includes sections on Quad from Turtle Beach Systems (TB) and Software Audio Workshop (SAW) from Innovative Quality Software (IQS). I own both of these programs, so coverage here should be fairly complete before too long. If you have experience with another package that only records a track at a time but plays back multiple tracks, send me info! 1.5 What multitrack record and playback packages are covered? This FAQ includes sections on Session 8 from Digidesign, Audio Prisma from Spectral Synthesis and SSHDR1 from Soundscape Digital Technology. The section on Audio Prisma was submitted by Roger Savoie. ============================================================================ SECTION 2: Quad from Turtle Beach Systems ============================================================================ 2.1 What is Quad? Quad is the least expensive way I know of for joining the hard disk recording revolution. There are two different packages offered by TB: Quad (software only) and Quad Studio (hardware and software). Quad lists for $299. Quad Studio lists for $499. Here's a rundown of Quad's features: * 4 track (mono) or 2 track (stereo) playback * records either mono or stereo * Automated mixing (called Turtle Recall). Quad remembers your pan and volume changes and will play them back. * Play back and record simultaneously Quad requires a TB sound card (Tahiti, Monterey or Multisound). 2.2 How do I contact Turtle Beach Systems? Turtle Beach Systems 52 Grumbacher Road York, Pennsylvania 17402 800-645-5640, 717-767-0200, FAX: 717-767-6033 Internet email: sales@tbeach.com, support@tbeach.com 2.3 How can I get more information about Turtle Beach products? I post my Turtle Beach FAQ around the 15th and the 30th of every month to comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard and c.s.i.p.s.misc. You can also request the latest copy from me by e-mail, or ftp to ftp.hawaii.edu and look in the outgoing/Maui directory. 2.4 What does it take to sync to a sequencer? Sync in Quad is a piece of cake. Quad installs a driver that looks like a MIDI port to Windows programs. You just tell your sequencer to sync to MIDI Time Code coming from that "port". The only thing to watch out for is that it may take a couple of seconds for your sequencer to kick in after Quad starts going. ============================================================================ SECTION 3: Software Audio Workshop (SAW) from Innovative Quality Software ============================================================================ 3.1 What is SAW? Software Audio Workshop (SAW) lists for $599. Here are some of its features: * 4 track stereo playback * Automated mixing (remembers your level changes and replays them) * Play back and record simultaneously on sound cards that support it * Non-destructive playlist editing This is a great feature folks. It's basically a pattern based sequencer for your audio data. You select a region of a sound file and then create a sequence of that and other regions playing back at different times along a track. You don't need to mangle your soundfile to move stuff around. * Backup your sound to audio DAT in real time (fast compared to some backup systems) All of your sound files are recorded to the tape and a file containing information about those sound files is saved on one disk. Even if you don't have a digital connection to your DAT recorder, the loss in signal quality in going from your sound card to your DAT recorder should be minimal. * Does everything really fast. This program appears to have been coded to minimize the amount of time you have to wait for the program to do its thing. Everything is really responsive and quick. SAW supports any card with a Windows wave audio driver. It has also been optimized specifically for Digital Audio Labs CardD (IQS recommends this card for professional quality audio), TB Multisound, SoundBlaster-16, and Pro Audio Spectrum 16. 3.2 How do I contact IQS? Innovative Quality Software 2955 E. Russell Rd Las Vegas, NV 89120-2428 702-435-9077, FAX: 702-435-9106, FaxBack: 702-435-9070 3.3 Is it four track, or eight? It's a little of both. It plays back four stereo tracks, which is impossible on a four track recorder. But, you do not get individual control over the panning of the tracks. SAW does not deal with mono sound files at all. So, you don't have the control that you get out of an eight track playback system, but you get more output than you would out of a four track system. 3.4 What does it take to sync to a sequencer? SAW takes more initial effort and money to sync to a sequencer, but with potentially better results. In order to sync to a sequencer, you need *two* MIDI interfaces that support MIDI Time Code. SAW uses one of them, and your sequencer would use the other. The MQX-32 is the common interface used for this purpose. 3.5 What is the SAW Utilities Rack #1? The SAW Utilities (of which there is currently one rack available) adds additional processing power to SAW. Here is what is included in Rack 1: - Wav / Snd / Edl File Format Converter By default SAW uses 44.1kHz, 16-bit, stereo .snd files. With this conversion program, you can move between standard .wav files and SAW's .snd with different resolutions. In addition, you can convert a SAW Edit List file into a human readable format so that you can have a printed list of SMPTE times for each event in your project. Finally, you can use the Pack Session function to create new SoundFiles containing only the regions that are used in the sequences in your project. This is a great way to reduce the storage requirements for archiving your project. - Audio Compressor / Limiter This module performs four volume processing functions: compression, gating, normalization and peak limiting. One neat feature: you can set thresholds for the functions with guidelines that appear on top of your waveform. - Equilization Seven band parametric EQ. You can adjust the center frequency of bandwidth of each band. Also includes adjustable Hi and Lo-Cut filters. - Echo Generator Creates digital delay and repeating echo effects with individual control over left and right channel parameters (delay time, feedback and strength). - Auto Panner Easily create stereo sweep effects, plus create custom pans with up to 100 different points of pan values. 3.6 Where can I find a demo of SAW? Via anonymous FTP at ftp.vortex.com /audio/saw/saw3demo.exe 3.7 Has SAW been reviewed? SAW was reviewed in the February 1994 issue of Mix. =========================================================================== SECTION 4: Session 8 from Digidesign =========================================================================== 4.1 What is Session 8? Session 8 is a hardware and software package. The Session 882 I/O box lists for $2,995. It features: * 8 discrete inputs and outputs * I/O unit fits in 1/2 rack space and provides sound that is free of interference from being inside the computer's case * Unlike SAW and Quad, you can record multiple tracks at once 4.2 How do I contact Digidesign? Digidesign 1360 Willow Road Menlo Park, CA 94025 800-333-2137, 415-688-0600 London: 44-81-875-9977 # 4.3 Has Session 8 been reviewed? Session 8 was reviewed in the July 1993 issue of Keyboard. =========================================================================== SECTION 5: Audio Prisma from Spectral Synthesis =========================================================================== 5.1 What is Audio Prisma? Audio Prisma is a professional digital audio workstation that is integrated onto a single circuit board and comes complete with Prismatica software for Windows 3.1 or higher. Features include: * 12 simultaneous real-time mix-down channels of 16 bit PCM uncompressed digital audio. * Drag-and-drop editing. Point-and-click control of track arming, auto-location, search, punch, scrub and varispeed. * Nudge or Snap audio events to sync. * Point-and-click patching completly in the digital domain. Routes signals between 8 system inputs, 8 system outs, recorder and aux inputs, with mixer's direct, aux, and master outputs. Your patch is stored with each project. * On screen control of 12 channel mixer with automation and MIDI control. Each channel features 2 band parametric EQ, peak I/O metering, panning, SOLO, and MUTE, plus automation display. * All Prisma audio and project files are totally compatable with Spectral's larger AudioEngine systems. * All Prisma audio and project files are totally compaItable with Spectral's larger AudioEngine systems. * Built-in support for lock-to-black-burst, plus SMPTE (both VITC and LTC), MTC, MIDI, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, SMDAI and SCSI interface standards. * 96 virtual tracks of workspace. 5.2 How do I contact Spectral Synthesis? Spectral Synthesis 19501 - 144th Ave. N.E., Suite #1000A, Woodinville, WA 98072 tel: (206) 487-2931 fax: (206) 487-3431 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION 6: SSHDR1 from Soundscape Digital Technology ------------------------------------------------------------------------- # 6.1 What is the SSHDR1? The SSHDR1 (called Soundscape herein henceforth :) performs 8 track playback using four outputs. It is capable of recording two tracks simultaneously. The hardware component of the system features a digital stereo in and 2 digital stereo outs (S/PDIF). The software features a parametric EQ (8 bands, not realtime), cut and paste editing and digital bounce. It carries a list price of $3,250 without a hard drive. Additional rackmount units are $2,925 each. You can get XLR inputs and outputs for an additional $325. # 6.2 How can I contact Soundscape Digital Technology? Soundscape Digital Technology Ltd Crichton House Mount Stuart Square Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF1 6DR UK +44 (0) 222 450120 Fax +44 (0) 222 450130 Distributed in the US by Virtual Designs Ltd 705 Lakefield Rd, Suite A Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 495-7375 Fax (805) 379-2648 # 6.3 Has Soundscape been reviewed? There was a review in the November 1994 issue of Keyboard magazine. .