I've had a program called Cool Edit Pro for a while now, decided to install it, and I really like it.

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/reviews/cool/cool.asp

Usually, my PC doesn't keep up well with playing back multiple files, but it works great with this one. I have no actual sound card, except for what's on the motherboard. I get dropouts, too, since I'm using a 500MHz machine, but nothing like what I've come to expect. Has a great failsafe feature, too. I got one of those "illegal operation" dealies, and it automatically saved the stuff I was working on, so all I had to do was restart the program to get it back exactly where I left off. It didn't do so well against having to hard-reboot. Perhaps because I used Windows\Temp for my temporary files. I don't know if it gets cleaned up on startup or whatever.

Anyway, as I've mentioned, I hate sitting at my computer and recording, so I'm going to keep using my Fostex Multitracker for that (especially since I have to go somewhere else to record percussion), but I'm going to start using this program for mixing.

Just remember to save. *smacks forhead after losing 2.5 hours of work*

Also, I forgot to mention the wave editing feature, as well as a variety of effects and several types of EQing (up to 30 bands, perhaps even more). I'm still learning stuff about it, and it rocks more and more.

I like Sonar. I used to run large projects with it on my P3-750mhz and it ran gracefully.

Do have a mixer? Getting a proper hardware interface hooked up to it would probably change your minde about PC mixing even more.

Pro Tools > *

Except Digidesign hardware costs a damn fortune, which you need to run Pro Tools.

Yeah

You could get a Presonus Firepod and Sonar 4 for ~$1000-1200, which is cheaper than the Digi 002 Rack, and more flexible, seeing as you can use it more easily with any software.

Brandon, you might want to check out the Tascam FW-1884 if you don't like using the computer for recording. It's a combination audio interface/control surface for use with your favourite multi-track editor. Basically you can do most of your tracking and mixing with this instead of using the keyboard and mouse.

This particular one has 8 mic pres, enough to do a small band, all at once.

It's not that, it's just I dislike sitting at my computer to record. Limited setup space. If I had a laptop on the other hand...

You don't have to be at your computer to use the Tascam unit. You can use the Tascam to control the computer at a distance, if you have a long enough cable. :p

Will it reach over 3 miles? :p

>.<

I might look into getting something like that (and a laptop) to record live shows. Need more channels, though. I'm a stereo effects whore, after all.

How many channels would you need?

edit: Thinking about it, if you're recording live, you'd probably be best only to record the dry signals, and add effects later, than recording wet tracks and effects paths. It would give you more flexibility in your mix.

Haha, I used to be, but now I'm not.... but you still are.... how odd....

I have no idea what that was supposed to mean.

That's pretty cool. Got anything that I won't need to sell my family to pay for? :p

QFT
this is how pros do it, and for good reason.

Depends what you're looking for. :p

Well, yeah, but my processor has left and right outs, which I put to use whenever possible (unless I'm playing somewhere with a crappy sound system or stupid speaker setup). So actually, I'm the only one in stereo. But I'd have to mic drums, too. And I like to be thorough in that, (and stereo drums, too) like when I posted "So Near," nearly every drum was mic'ed.

Now you're just being greedy. :p

I've got sixteen channels going into my computer, I'll post a picture of my setup later, I have to find some batteries for my camera.

16 would probably work. That's what I had before.

DogSSuCK

I promised I'd take a picture, but I still don't have batteries for my camera, so here's a cross-post from the discussion forum:

My "studio" setup:
Soundcard: Echo Layla3G
Mic preamp: Studio Projects VTB-1
Guitar amp modeller: Vox Tonelab
Bass amp modeller: Line6 Bass PODxt
A/D/A converter: Behringer Ultragain Pro-8
Control surface: Behringer BCF-2000
Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-M40fs

Here's how it goes:
VTB-1, Tonelab, Bass PODxt -> Layla3G balanced in's
Ultragain -> Layla3G ADAT in

The Layla3G has 8 analog inputs (2 XLR with mic preamps, 6 balanced 1/4"), and the Behringer Pro-8 adds another 8 mic preamps through the Layla ADAT optical port. Total simultaneous inputs: 16, all of them can be hardware monitored at the same time (zero latency).

The BCF-2000 lets me control Sonar, much in the way using a mixer would control a live mix. I can control my subs/buses, sends, tracks, pans, transport, etc... with this thing. An incredibly handy tool.

Shintock you've really got my attention

How much money do you think you have invested in all your hardware.

I already got my hands on Sonar 4 and just can't wait to get some hardware to back it up!

Way more than I should have! :p

All prices Canadian and are approximate:
Echo Layla3G - $600
Studio Projects VTB-1 - $150
Vox Tonelab - $400
Line6 Bass PODxt - $400
Behringer Ultragain Pro-8 - $250
Behringer BCF-2000 - $300
Audio Technica ATH-M40fs - $150

The Layla3G and Ultragain combo seemed to be the simplest and cheapest way to get 16 inputs into the computer (with 10 integrated mic preamps). This leaves me with 6 1/4" balanced inputs on the Layla, to which I can hook up other mic preamps (like the VTB-1) or line-level devices.

I'll be recording a CD with my band this summer, so I'll be putting this setup to the test proper.