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Re: PC Studio Integration

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5/5/1999 8:41 PM

Re: PC Studio Integration

MJ:

:MP3 compression

Some compression schemes seem to degrade the original resolution everytime you save the file. Is MP3 like this? In other words if you were working with a MP3 file, does it lose resolution or definition each time you save it? If that is the case then you'd definitely want to work with your files in the original WAV format and then convert the finished WAV file into MP3 at that time (for distribution on the Web or whatever). If that was not the case then you could conceivably record your tracks as MP3 files and then mix them down in that format for distribution). But I have a hunch that MP3 files would be degraded each time you saved them and after 10 or 20 generations they would sound pretty bad!

:link multiple PC's together to increase total number of tracks?

You mentioned the limitations of a particular computer in regards to the number of tracks it can handle. So how would a recording studio come up with 48 digital tracks using hd recording? Would they sync several pc's together to get that many tracks- or would they use some dedicated (non-pc) workstation?

Thanks!

Steve Ahola

5/5/1999 9:57 PM

Regarding MP3: Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think you can record to MP3 on the fly since it's a pretty processor intensive compressor scheme; MP3 recorders take .wav files and convert them. It's conceivable that the algorithm actually needs to entire file to begin with so that you couldn't compress as you record and even if you could you'd most likely get fewer tracks and lots of drop-out problems since you're now relying on processor speed as well as HD transfer speed. Same goes for playback. I've had drop outs with most MP3's I've played on the Pentium 233 at work when you run other stuff in the background. I've never had a drop out playing a wav file...

You mentioned the limitations of a particular computer in regards to the number of tracks it can handle. So how would a recording studio come up with 48 digital tracks using hd recording? Would they sync several pc's together to get that many tracks- or would they use some dedicated (non-pc) workstation?

I have no idea... My hunch is that most digital studios are using hi-end equipment (as in big, very fast scsi hard drives utilizing RAID controllers), midi automation, and a lot of know how to squeeze more tracks. I don't know much about Pro-Tools which is I think is the standard in most studios since it was the only pro system for a while. However since I have no exposure to pro recording I'm guessing here.

MJ

5/3/1999 8:12 PM

Steve: You might download the "Echo reporter" software from the Event Electronics site. It runs a HD I/O test and tells you how many tracks YOUR PC can handle simultaneously. My "all purpose" PC here was able to play back 31 simultaneously I think (16bit, 44.1kHz). That's with your basic Quantum ultra-ATA HD, no attempt at optimization either. Cheap & cheerful. I think the real trouble comes when you start mixing, running plug-ins and if you run multiple soundcards they can potentially overwhelm the PCI bus. As for limitations of a HD, I posted some figures a while back I got from the special edition of Electronic Musician which dove into all that. I can re-post if you don't see it in the archives. Going to 24bit is a real problem space wise..
yikes!

5/3/1999 8:15 PM
MJ Harnish	I think the Echo reporter (great program BTW) is a little liberal since I have a feeling that you'd might run into drop-outs trying to do 31 tracks but who know...

5/4/1999 6:32 AM
SpeedRacer	I've had trouble working with 4 tracks at once, with just a plug in EQ and little else.. it's not a wimpy machine either. I think there are a number of bottlenecks, and I don't konow what they all are yet.

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