True multi-track recording on a Mac?

[XXGABEXX]

Can I record a four-piece band in multi-track style like someone would do in a studio situation? Can the drums be mic'd with say, 8 mics on 8 channels and remain on 8 separate tracks in the computer for later mix-down? Am I missing something here? Is there a digital mixer of some sort I should be looking for? Is my line of questioning making sense? I know what I want to ask, but not sure HOW to ask it. Everyone on here seems helpful or at least informed, so any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-GABE

[Nordy North]

You need a sequencer such as Cubase, Logic or Digital Performer and then you can use MIDI to sequence all your instruments or record audio directly in and use it like a multi track recorder. You can have as many tracks as your computer can handle, add in all effects with plug ins and even mastering can be done. It is fantastic. You can have a whole studio in your computer, you just need a fast and reliable Mac. Editing is so easy because you have the massive screen to work with. You can see what all the audio is doing through waves! It really is fantastic. You would need a good souncard as well.

[XXGABEXX]

In a studio, 24 mics go into a board with 24 channels which records these onto a tape that is split into 24 tracks. Mic one goes to channel one which goes to track one of course. What I need to know is how do I have 24 channels going into my computer creating 24 tracks? I'm in a band and I want to record some our stuff as we write it without having to visit a real studio every few weeks. I recorded at a studio using a Mac once and the guy had two TASCAM 8 channel recorders that used these DATs in a size I wasn't familiar with. These things weren't cheap back then. Is there a better, more affordable way of recording in true studio fashion? I've been reading about the MOTU 828 which looks to be perfect for my iMac. Is this the way to go?

-GABE

[Nordy North]

Yes. I don't think there is any sound card that will let you record 24 tracks simultaneously, but with something like the 828 you can record tracks into your computer and then record the next track over the top etc. I think you can record up to as many tracks as you have inputs on your souncard, so that would be 8 with the 828, although I'm not sure about this. Have a look at MOTU's website for more info. www.motu.com. (http://www.motu.com.) Hop this helps.

[Nordy North]

Ive had a look in the DP manual and it says you can record as many audio tracks as your hardware will allow, so with the 828 you would have 8 tracks to record. I have the 1224 and you can connect several of them together so you would need 3 to have 24 tracks. This is a bit expensive though, and to get the levels right simultaneously for 24 tracks I would imagine being a nightmare, plus pre-amps for each track if you are using acoustic instruments, This is all a bit over my head thoughso I may have it all competely wrong. You are best speaking to someone from MOTU as they will know. There email service I have found very reliable, always answering the next working day.