jack Cast & Crew

Help me audiophiles!

Aloha folks,

So as you may have heard on AHWU this week, we got a brand new mixer in the Achievement Hunter office, and I need some help setting it up, or making it as easy as possible on the crew. Here's the deal: I'm going to get very technical about this crap, so if you don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry... just know we're getting better technology to make our videos even better. Tired of Ray being quiet on Let's Plays? We're setting it up where we can boost individual levels after recording... anyway, come back later and I'll have cookies and cake for you.

Now then, audio folks, I need some help.

We picked up an Alesis Multimix16 USB 2.0 and have it running in to a Mac. What I want to be able to do is this:

I want to be able to record multiple tracks individually and export out a WAV, AIF or CAF with multiple tracks so that I can import it in to FCP. So, for example, I want to be able to record 4 separate inputs and then export them out in a SINGLE FILE that I can them bring in to FCP and manipulate there. Right now it seems all I can do is export into a stereo mixdown WAV file, or using Garage Band I can export an AIF that splits the tracks in to separate files. Not the ideal method.

Currently I'm using CUBASE LE 4 and Garage Band. We don't currently have Soundtrack Pro installed on this machine, but if the ability to record into a single file is there, I'll pick up a copy to install.

Do you guys have any advice? My big key point here is, export ONE FILE that has MULTIPLE TRACKS, as many as 8 if necessary. What programs do that? You guys kick ass I and figured I would get better help here than digging through Google.

Thanks again everyone, I'll let you know how it goes.

***EDIT***

I'm not having an issue with recording, I can record multiple tracks no problem. The issue is with the exporting process. Example, we record 4 tracks of audio (separately) into Garage Band, but when I export, it will either mix them all together into a stereo (dual mono) track or into separate AIF files for each track. I know CAF files can run across multiple tracks of mono, wtf program can I use to make that work?

***EDIT #2***

Alright, ap3xultima found pretty much exactly what I was looking for using Audacity, but now I'm trying to figure out how to record multiple simultaneous tracks using Audacity. Anyone have any tutorials I can look at? So far it seems like they all are set up for single track recording and it is driving me fucking insane.

***FINAL EDIT***

I think I have it all figured out. I was actually recording as many channels as I wanted, but the preview was only bringing up the first two channels. Once I ran a test of four channels it recorded fine, exported a WAV with all four channels in Mono and worked like a charm. Thank you all for joining in on this wacky adventure in audio, you shall see the results very soon!!
11 months ago  |  Comments (46)  |  + 81 Cool
46 COMMENTS Sort by Mod · Date
Hackett
Where's Gus?
11 months ago  |  + 8 Funny
Samwatson
What your trying to achieve is called "multitrack recording" and you will need a program that allows that style of recording. As a general rule most programs come with the ability to do that but it comes down to your interface between the mixer and the computer. I use a program called ProTools, which is a very heavily favoured program in the recording industry, however Logic is also a very good alternative or audacity.
When recording with the program running you simply have as many tracks on screen as you are using on the desk then match their inputs to the channels on the desk. This would be done via easy click down boxes and such in program.
In program these individual tracks can be edited and then all the files can be "bounced" to a single file in most formats for placing with a video.

ahh, apologies Jack I see what your trying to achieve now!

Post edited 6/13/12 7:28PM
11 months ago  |  + 4 Ditto
ap3xultima
From my perspective your trying to make a multi-channel audio file (a single file with 2 or more audio tracks)
Audacity is capable of doing that, good thing it's free.

Go from 3:15 onwards [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOyag-LvhxM]

If that's not what your trying to do then I apologize for any wasted time :)
11 months ago  |  + 4 Cool
Stupid link fail.
#1  Posted 11 months ago
This is precisely what I am looking for. Now, I just need to get multitrack recording working with Audacity and this might be the solution.
#2  Posted 11 months ago
Styx Styk Figure
I can provide about as much help as you'd get from anyone at the office

"that's weird"
11 months ago  |  + 3 Ditto
Jared Alcoholic
I'm sure the reason Jack posted this was because he wanted everyone to comment saying how they can't help....

I know I'm also posting a useless comment, but help Jack out a bit, give him less comments he has to sift through to find the problem.
11 months ago  |  + 3 Ditto
oarnger I Hacked It
I think a mod should come in and clean up lol
#1  Posted 11 months ago
Zeddy0525 RTXBound
You can combine multiple tracks into one file in Audacity audacity.sourceforge.net/download
11 months ago  |  + 2 Ditto
FrankNico Guardian2013
And I do believe I found the solution to your problem sir.
#7  Posted 11 months ago
Bit late but the tracks are separate. It makes a multi-channel WAV file.
#8  Posted 11 months ago
hyoari525
Uh guys he's talking about exporting a multitrack into a mofo multitrack like file. Instead of smooshing them together like a sandwich of noise. Sounds like Jack has the recording part down, just needs to learn how to export many tracks into one file that doesn't sandwich them into one file.

I'm no expert but I did sift through the net to find this www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec06/articles/cubasetech...

I hope it helps.
11 months ago  |  + 2 Cool
FrankNico Guardian2013
Jack I may have solved your problem. When you record something into Garageband it creates a file that you use to get the project back up. But if you select the project you were working on and Show Package Contents then go to the Media folder all the audio files you recorded will be there for you to drag and drop as you please.
11 months ago  |  + 2 Cool
grenou
I, too, have been using Pro Tools since v.5. Last year I picked up this:

Which apparently made my left ear itch...

But, at least I got a light salty snack out of it.


Cheers!
S
11 months ago  |  + 1 Funny
FrankNico Guardian2013
I'm pretty sure that the mixer you have only outputs to usb into a single stero track
11 months ago  |  + 1 Cool
rozzinator17
Just Like Zeddy0525, try Audacity its the best free option available. Failing that buy Protools or logic (or torrent it).
11 months ago  |  + 1 Ditto
Hydn Unordinary
FrankNico is kind of right. Your mixer is able to record separate tracks of audio into a program like STP, so you will be able to adjust levels on the fly with your mixer, than make more adjustment in STP after the fact.

However, I don't know of may programs that keep audio files apart within the same file, and the only ones I do know of would be no help in this situation.

Best solution at the moment would be to get yourself a copy of STP, or test the mixer on a computer that already has STP in the office, just so your not spending money on a solution that wont work
11 months ago  |  + 1 Ditto
FrankNico Guardian2013
Most audio programs do this. Its just a matter of setting up the mix or edit window to do so.
#1  Posted 11 months ago
gotgrip_com
I think there's some sort of Quicktime reference format that support multiple tracks in a single file (I'm not a Mac guy, so I'm not totally sure). Either way, it'll have to be a pretty common format, otherwise FCP might not be able to import it. If GB can't give you that kind of export, or if FCP can't take what GB is giving, then a higher-end program (like a Pro Tools) might work, although that'd mean more homework.

You could always try mixing a 5.1 or 7.1 surround file our of GB? You'd be stuck with either six or eight tracks, but it might tide you over if you could import that into FCP...
11 months ago  |  + 1 Cool
dougss
This software might be too much on the audio production/music side of the coin rather than just recording a buncha dudes yelling, but you might want to check out Reason Essentials software. it's made by Propellerhead and it's definitely worth a look.

Hope it helps.
11 months ago  |  + 1 Ditto
jack Cast & Crew
So now I've managed to flip the problem. I can save into a multitrack WAV file in Audacity, but I cannot figure out how to record multiple tracks simultaneously in Audacity. Help me internet!
11 months ago  |  + 1 Cool
RandomRvBfan Devon
I would think you should be able to record multi-track straight into final cut which would take out a few extra steps from the process, keeping all the work in one program. Though I don't use it so I can't say for sure.

If it's incapable of doing that, recording multiple tracks at once in Cubase would create all individual wav files in a folder under the project name. You should then be able to import into final cut by selecting all the files at once and choosing to create a separate track for each. Rather than having to do each one individually.

That's just a guess, but would be the logical solution in my opinion.
11 months ago  |  + 1 Ditto
Multiple people are using this machine, so we wouldn't be capturing directly in to FCP. It's a dedicated sound machine to export audio into wavs or what-have-you and then edit on the users personal machine.
#1  Posted 11 months ago
RandomRvBfan Devon
Ahh I see... Well it looks like you got it to work, so have fun and good luck with it!
#2  Posted 11 months ago
grenou
RandomRvBFan with a great workflow. The only drawback would be once the files are in FCP, he'll have to "snap" or lock the files together so that all video edits also translate throught the audio events.
11 months ago  |  + 1 Cool
RandomRvBfan Devon
Assuming my guess is correct and it would allow you to automatically create a separate track for each of the simultaneously selected files on a single import, there should certainly be a way to lock them all together. If by no other way than simply selecting all tracks at once during cuts.
That'...
#1  Posted 11 months ago
CreeperKing
Hey Jack, I have an idea for a things to do in minecraft, take all of someones iron and turn it all into unstack-able buckets.
11 months ago
Symmetrik Sponsor
I'm not an audiophile, but for a high school multimedia & broadcasting class we used Audacity for any audio recording stuff. It's free, and it's all I've got to offer to help.
10 months ago
BigVig Sponsor
I use Audacity as well. I am not a sound tech in any way, but the fact that it is free and seems to just work on Windows has been a huge help in keeping our costs down.
11 months ago
Doyleeeeeeee nomnomnom
I see that I'm late to the party.. but you can use Adobe Audition, I would assume you guys have the Adobe master collection somewhere in the building... It does everything your precious Audacity does, but you can edit the tracks in audition and export them as a multitrack or as a mono track. There is no problem exporting and it's a breeze to use. If you haven't settled with Audacity maybe give Adobe Audition a glance.
11 months ago
iBiscuit Sponsor
my god jack, reading all the edits and not having any idea about sound editing its a pretty big adventure haha
11 months ago
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10 months ago
Flynn567
Hi Jack,

You my want to look at the zoom r16 multitrack recorder, 8 track Rec, audio interface and its a control surface for $399.99

Flynn
11 months ago
Gamez814 Explorer
My dearest Jack,

If you are recording multiple tracks in garageband at once, I may be able to help you without going into any new DAWs. And it's a really simple fix. Take for example in garageband you have your four tracks. What you want to do is export them individually so that you can import to FCP? All you need to do is mute three. Then click on Share > Send Song to iTunes. A dialog box will come up and you can set your file to .mp3. This will send your song into iTunes. Find the file in your FCP browser and import! Repeat for the other tracks.

LONG STORY SHORT -
JUST MUTE THE TRACKS YOU DON'T WANT IN GARAGEBAND AND SHARE > SEND SONG TO ITUNES!

Hope this helps! Also, tell Gus he needs to get a multichannel compressor for the podcast so that you guys can yell and such and it won't overpower everyone else.

-Nate
10 months ago
Solid_Raptor Sponsor
its funny as im reading this im thinking of audicity and it then i see you end up using it, its a good program i use it for recording my sets and new mashups and bootlegs. the only thing is to keep an eye on is if the tracks are peaking to the point that the incoming audio is too loud for the program to record cleanly. because you guys have a lot of screaming and raging (michael and geoff when gavin pours lava and said house), i would recommend turning on 'SHOW CLIPPING' under view, if you havent done so already so you can turn see where in each track needs compression. gd luck man

Post edited 6/24/12 8:35AM
10 months ago
thetrilogy07 Sponsor
You should look into getting LOGIC, it is the grownup version of Garage band. It will let you export any audio track by track or mix it and export it as a stereo or mono file. It will export in a lot of different formats mp3, wav, aiff. it can also work directly with final cut pro when you are working on edition your final audio mix for your videos. Depending on your abilities It will also let you use compressors, and gates, and other effects, on each track that will help you in achieving a more clean audio signal, than just pushing up the fader to get more level. If you need more help I have a degree in audio production and im certified in both logic and pro tools, so I would be happy to help you guys out.
11 months ago
shellavation or shelly
The way I used to do it back at school was using protools, but I know you could also use soundtrack too. It's been a while since I've used the program but I know that's how you would do it. If you have some sort of multitrack program installed you may want to play around with it.
11 months ago
SpartanJason AKA Skrillex
Doesn't the mixer have seperat outputs for each channel? I think you can assign seperat tracks in audacity, though I am not positive. Hope you find an answer!
11 months ago
oarnger I Hacked It
Try Sounds Studio 4 felttip.com/ss/ its around ~$30 with a free trial.
11 months ago
oarnger I Hacked It
**Sound Studio 4** not Sounds
#1  Posted 11 months ago
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