Multiple simultaneous track recording hardware

[michelleRmer]

HELLO! I would like to be able to record at least 4 inputs at once into Audition. What mixers and other devices will I need to do this? I am on an old 17" MacBook Pro and I have one mic jack and a few USBs Is all I have onboard. I am hoping to record a whole drum kit at once. Any tips or advice would be much appriciated! I have been looking st the Behringer Q1202USB 12-Channel Mixer because it can be used for my live PA as well but there is only a left and right channel that gets sent to the computer, so something similar to this would be helpfu!

[SteveG_AudioMasters_ · Accepted solution]

There are no cheap and good answers to this, I'm afraid. People use Mackie mixers sometimes, but there have been extremely mixed experiences with their drivers, apparently. It seems that the mixers are fine, but the drivers aren't!

One thing you might want to consider is not bothering with a mixer at all, and using something like a MOTU 8pre USB. This gives you eight premium mic preamps in a 1u rack, and should work fine with your laptop. There's also a FireWire version, but these aren't so common as interfaces these days, so I'd go with the USB. I can personally attest to the quality of this box - I've had a FireWire one here for years, and they are incredibly reliable.

It's relatively affordable, because it doesn't have all the extras a mixer does that you simply don't need. There are a few other interfaces around that will do similar things - I'm only mentioning the MOTU because I have personal experience of it. I believe that Tascam and possibly Focusrite (look at the 18i20) may also be contenders, too.

[alraz2]

I use a BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC1820. Has 8 Inputs (XLR+TRS) and you can record each input to its own individual track on Audition.

There are other ones with less inputs if 8 sounds like way too many for you.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

The Tascam I had in mind is the Product: US-16x08 | TASCAM which can be picked up a little more cheaply than the Behringer....

[Bob Howes]

The Tascam US 16x08 has been highly recommended by some friends I trust.

Another option to look at would be the Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK mixer.  A bit more expensive but nice Soundcraft preamps plus some versatile momotoring options which can be important when recording multiple musicians.

Or if you want to go multitrack in a big way there's the Sugnature 22 MTK!

[frankl2743091]

Just bought one of those and am attempting to multitrack record using Audition as well. I can only get more than 2 tracks at a time using the WASAPI Device Class in the Audio Hardware menu. But the audio is completely distorted. Levels are not the issue. MME works fine but can only do two channels at once. Do you mind if I ask what your settings are? On running Windows 10 on a laptop.

[the_carmichaels@mac.com]

What driver do you use with the Behringer product?