Transferring tracks from digital recorder to computer?

[psongman]

Hi, I have been researching this subject but can't seem to get a
handle on the method. First, I have a Fostex VF08 which is similar to
the VF80. Now, I want to send my tracks out via spdif into my computer
into Cool Edit. Everyone is telling me to mark, or slate the beginning
with a sound, then after they are transferred to the PC, they can
lined up later....but, isn't there always a but...how does the mark on
let's say the initial drum tracks, get recorded on the other 6 tracks.
I know this has probably been discussed before, but I want to get this
down right, so I can send my recorded tracks into my computer, and
sync them up so I can mix and master there. From my observation, there
is usually a "given", that others who have mastered this method, take
for granted, and pass over in assisting others who are trying to
achieve this transfer. I know someone will understand my inquiry, so
will wait for valued input before attempting any sending, IAT,
Psongman

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> I want to send my tracks out via spdif into my computer
> into Cool Edit. Everyone is telling me to mark, or slate the beginning
> with a sound, then after they are transferred to the PC, they can
> lined up later....but, isn't there always a but...how does the mark on
> let's say the initial drum tracks, get recorded on the other 6 tracks.

What they're telling you is that you should make an independent time
mark on all tracks simultaneously. Connect all the inputs together,
hook them up to a mic preamp, plug in a mic, put it on a snare drum,
and punch in a single hit on all tracks BEFORE the music starts on any
of the tracks.

Now you have a common time reference and you can slide the tracks
along in Cool Edit so that single hit lines up on all the tracks.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
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[Arny Krueger]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1069537548k@trad
> In article >
> writes:
>
>> I want to send my tracks out via spdif into my computer
>> into Cool Edit. Everyone is telling me to mark, or slate the
>> beginning with a sound, then after they are transferred to the PC,
>> they can lined up later....but, isn't there always a but...how does
>> the mark on let's say the initial drum tracks, get recorded on the
>> other 6 tracks.

> What they're telling you is that you should make an independent time
> mark on all tracks simultaneously. Connect all the inputs together,
> hook them up to a mic preamp, plug in a mic, put it on a snare drum,
> and punch in a single hit on all tracks BEFORE the music starts on any
> of the tracks.

> Now you have a common time reference and you can slide the tracks
> along in Cool Edit so that single hit lines up on all the tracks.

Reference:

Fostex VF08 User's manual
http://www.megaaudio.de/pdf/pdffiles/fostex/vf08.pdf

According to the Fostex VF08 User's manual, page 59, it appears possible to
cut/paste sounds between tracks. A cuing sound at the beginning of one track
can be pasted at the beginning of any remaining tracks.

What to use for a cuing sound? My favorite cuing sound is 20 milliseconds of
silence with a one-sample wide 90% high impulse smack dab in its middle.
This is easy to generate in CoolEdit.

Since the Fostex VF08 appears to be capable of recording via a SP/DIF input,
a cuing sound generated in CoolEdit could be used on the Fostex VF08.

[psongman]

Hi, thanks MR,the real one and Amy for your input. I still don't know
how you can send a spiked sound into all 8 tracks when it only records
on 2 at once. I know I could cut and paste one, but not sure if it
would keep me all lined up. Though I think you do that and start the
recording from there on all the 8 tracks, send them to the computer
and line up afterwards. If there are any more eurekas, they would be
appreciated. I think there is a tried and true method many studio
enthusiasts use, but it is so second nature that it seems too simple
to comment on. Thanks again, Psongman

[Arny Krueger]

"psongman" > wrote in message
om

> Hi, thanks MR,the real one and Arny for your input. I still don't know
> how you can send a spiked sound into all 8 tracks when it only records
> on 2 at once. I know I could cut and paste one, but not sure if it
> would keep me all lined up.

If you paste at a consistent location like the beginning of a track, the
answer should be yes.

>Though I think you do that and start the
> recording from there on all the 8 tracks, send them to the computer
> and line up afterwards.

Been there, done that, just not with the particular hardware you have.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> Hi, thanks MR,the real one and Amy for your input. I still don't know
> how you can send a spiked sound into all 8 tracks when it only records
> on 2 at once.

Oh. . . . Well, you get a REAL recorder that can record all tracks at
once.

> I know I could cut and paste one, but not sure if it
> would keep me all lined up.

It would, if you can keep things in vertical alignment when you paste
- essentially paste at the starting time on every track. The thing is
that I don't know (and you probably don't, either) how your recorder
treats edits, and even punch-ins on tracks. Each punch is really a
separate recording and starts out life as a unique file. Every
copy/paste doesn't really put new audio into a file, it just adds a
pointer to an "edit list" which tells it to play a given chunk of
audio (that already exists, from the first recording pass) at a given
time on a specific track. (unless we're talking about the Alesis HD24
which apparently modifies a single file with each press of the Record
button).

On the Mackie hard disk recorders, there's a function called "render
tracks" which creates a brand new file for each track that contains
all the audio that you hear when playing that track, whether it was
originally recorded on that track, punched in, or pasted into the edit
list from another file. If you could render tracks on your recorder,
you'd have a set of files that could be imported at the same starting
time and they'd be complete and lined up. However, I suspect that this
function doesn't exist on a multitrack recorder that can only record
two tracks at once.

You can, however, paste a "click" at the beginning of each track (so
they'll all play simultaneously), then play the tracks, two at a time,
into your computer, and then line up those clicks. That's kind of
tedious, but it will work pretty well. If the tracks are completely
isolated - that is, there is no vocal on the guitar track, no drums on
the bass track, etc. - (or a pair of tracks is isolated), which is a
pretty good bet since you can record only two at a time, you won't
have phasing problems when you move them to the computer. It's also
unlikely that you'll have timing problems if you line up your
pasted-in click, but you can always make small adjustments if
necessary.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo