Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on differ
Thursday, February 28 2008 @ 05:56 PM CST

Ok, you guys are great!. Thanks, I plugged into headphones and into one of the PA channels and it works!

But now I have another challenge that I can't seem to find an answer to in the manual.
Does anyone know if and how I can play two intstruments through two separate channels in the PA and set them up to record as two different tracks in Logic Express 8. At the moment the two different instruments record, but on the same track. Hope that makes sense.

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Thursday, February 28 2008 @ 06:05 PM CST

Should be similar to Garageband in that you have to assign different channels (1, 2 etc) to each track... and then enable each track to record simultaneously. If going out through the PA I would think you would need to have the "monitor" function on.

Please bear in mind.. I'm guessing here.

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Thursday, February 28 2008 @ 06:16 PM CST

Champion Mr Clarke, that makes sense, I thought I had tried something similar, but must not have done it properly. I'll try it. Thanks heaps for your quick response. Its the first time I've used this service - how great is it? Thanks mate.

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Thursday, February 28 2008 @ 09:36 PM CST

To record separate instruments to separate tracks you'll need an interface. These hook up to the computer via USB or Firewire and provide multiple inputs- depending on the unit you choose. Without one there's no way to separate the incoming audio and assign to the individual tracks in Logic.

You can try doing a search on your favorite music store website for a Firewire Interface and find what I'm talking about.

Do you have an idea of how many tracks you would record at once? You may run into limitations with your computer depending on the RAM/hard drive/processor speed.

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Thursday, February 28 2008 @ 11:08 PM CST

Hi..I don't know what you are talking about..You can do what you speak of without an audio interface ( either usb or firewire)...But you need to supply much more info then what you did in this post...JET

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Friday, February 29 2008 @ 03:51 AM CST

Quote by: JET Hi..I don't know what you are talking about..You can do what you speak of without an audio interface ( either usb or firewire)...But you need to supply much more info then what you did in this post...JET

Mikey_d is meaning that without 'some' additional hw .. your computer has (typically) just one mic line-in (input) .. which you can of course use. It just gives you the option though of recording a mono or stereo single input, one track at a time.

If you sub-mix prior to recording (with a mixer).. you could recorded everything pre-mixed and into that 1 stereo input = 1 track, but then you can't re-mix anything post recording.

To record multiple tracks directly into the computer you need an additional 'audio interface' that can seperate out the multiple inputs into seperate feeds or channels, so when they arrive at the computer they go into different tracks and thus can be mixed with the computers software (eg. Logic/GB/Cubase) post recording.

I started using just the computers mic line input .. (as I only
had need to record 1 audio instrument at a time) but now I have
a MOTU Traveler audio/midi interface ... and if needed, I can could
record at least 4 (I think it is max 8) distinct inputs simultaneously and at the same time .. I still don't use that .. I got it for
the enhanced quality of the inputs and to provide a midi input to the
computer.

If your planning to record a group live (say).. wether with multiple mics or multiple inputs direct from the instruments .. you have this issue .. use a mixer = no re-mixing afterwards OR get an audio interface = the number of simultaneous inputs is the limiting factor.

There is too many to mention USB or Firewire audio and/or midi interface hardware alternatives on the market... but there are past forum threads discussing this with some recommendations based on reliability, compatibility, price and really 'just what you need'.

Hope this is clearer and is of some help.

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Friday, February 29 2008 @ 07:04 AM CST

I answered this same question in another thread:
The problem is that you are sending one stereo signal to the computer from the PA. You need to send two discreet (probably mono) signals to your computer, which is a bit convoluted when using a PA. I think you might be able to do it by panning the two instruments to opposite sides on your PA, recording them on one stereo track and then "split" the tracks in Logic when you bounce them. See page 873 of the Logic Express 8 User manual. Then you can drag the resultant split mono tracks back into the Logic project to mix as you like. If you get a USB or Firewire interface you don't have to go thru this permutation as long as you get one with multi-channel inputs.

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Friday, February 29 2008 @ 07:42 AM CST

Quote by: Jim Bouchard I answered this same question in another thread: The problem is that you are sending one stereo signal to the computer from the PA. You need to send two discreet (probably mono) signals to your computer, which is a bit convoluted when using a PA. I think you might be able to do it by panning the two instruments to opposite sides on your PA, recording them on one stereo track and then "split" the tracks in Logic when you bounce them. See page 873 of the Logic Express 8 User manual. Then you can drag the resultant split mono tracks back into the Logic project to mix as you like. If you get a USB or Firewire interface you don't have to go thru this permutation as long as you get one with multi-channel inputs.

Jim- I'm hearing that the latest LE is easier to use and more intuitive than previous versions... can you give me a little more insight? I'm strongly considering it.

Thanks~ Adam

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Friday, February 29 2008 @ 07:51 AM CST

Hi..If you use the stereo line in and have a stereo input..
If the signals are panned hard left and right....If you create 2 mono tracks in Logic you can then select either input 1 or input 2...That way you are able to input 2 seperate input sources and record each as an individual mono track...I thought the ?? was about 2 sources...And record them both at the same time... JET

Re:Recording multiple instruments through PA to Logic on dif
Friday, February 29 2008 @ 09:17 AM CST

Quote by: JET Hi..If you use the stereo line in and have a stereo input.. If the signals are panned hard left and right....If you create 2 mono tracks in Logic you can then select either input 1 or input 2...That way you are able to input 2 seperate input sources and record each as an individual mono track...I thought the ?? was about 2 sources...And record them both at the same time... JET

I wasn't aware that the computer would recognize the stereo input as a split mono input, as I haven't had to use this. But it makes sense, I guess.

And yes, Alan, Logic Express 8 is really easy. I had Logic Pro 7 and was pretty adament in my dislike of Logic 7 because I just couldn't get it despite reading books and manuals and going through the excercises, and now that I have LE8, I love it so much that I probably won't be going back to Garageband at all, it's so easy and so powerful a recording tool.