Recording one track with two PCs?

lacatedral · #1 10-20-2017, 10:39 AM

Hi, I was wondering if it was possible to record with two differents computers.
I was hoping to record one song using to pcs, one with an audio interface with two condenser mics, and simultaneously another pc with the guitar directly connected to another audio interface. The final step would be to import one of the recorded tracks to the other computer.

Or maybe it's possible to use two different audio interfaces in the same pc?
I'm asking because then I would have to buy another interface.

rick-slo · #2 10-20-2017, 11:24 AM

You could, but it would be easier to get a microphone preamp that also has a line in for the guitar pickup.

MikeBmusic · #3 10-23-2017, 07:23 AM

Using 2 audio interfaces with one computer can be done with a Mac, but usually not with a Win machine. The problem is that you have 2 different clocks, so the files can go out of synch when you try to combine them.
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RustyAxe · #4 10-23-2017, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacatedral

Hi, I was wondering if it was possible to record with two differents computers.
I was hoping to record one song using to pcs, one with an audio interface with two condenser mics, and simultaneously another pc with the guitar directly connected to another audio interface. The final step would be to import one of the recorded tracks to the other computer.

Or maybe it's possible to use two different audio interfaces in the same pc?
I'm asking because then I would have to buy another interface.

Why couldn't you just record the two tracks, and then overdub the guitar track?

MikeBmusic · #5 10-24-2017, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Why couldn't you just record the two tracks, and then overdub the guitar track?

He's trying to record 2 mics + DI from the same take. 3 inputs needed on the AI!

KevWind · #6 10-24-2017, 08:28 AM

Kind of cumbersome approach to problem more easily solved by either getting an interface that has at least two mic pres and a DI or as Ric suggested getting a mic pre with two mic and one DI inputs

Mr. Jelly · #7 10-24-2017, 04:20 PM

Yes you can do that. The trick would be to sync them up.

I'd suggest using the one computer and the two mics. Get the song down and find a good sounding place and balance then record. The results in the end will be so much better.

FrankHudson · #8 10-24-2017, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacatedral

Hi, I was wondering if it was possible to record with two differents computers.
I was hoping to record one song using to pcs, one with an audio interface with two condenser mics, and simultaneously another pc with the guitar directly connected to another audio interface. The final step would be to import one of the recorded tracks to the other computer.

Or maybe it's possible to use two different audio interfaces in the same pc?
I'm asking because then I would have to buy another interface.

Yes you could do that two-computer thing. Yes, you have to line up the parts afterward. If you are recording just a single guitar that's more mics than you need to get a good recording, you may be thinking "more is more" when it often isn't. And yes, just having more inputs on your interface is a good thing.

This was possible in the old tape days, even with tracks recorded on different machines or on different days. Frank Zappa used to love to do that, using a guitar solo from one concert with a band track from another, so just mixing and time-aligning one track from another computer in the digital age is even easier.

I sometimes do something like and not like this. I sometimes use a 2nd PC running some guitar effects and amp simulations, some of which I do not have licensed on my recording PC, and some of which could conceivable use enough resources to mess up a recording session which would frustrate the other players. But this PC handling my guitar amp/effects outputs to a track on my recording PC, so there's nothing to sync up. Another thing I'll do after recording a rhythm track is play a second part or solo as I let the recording run. Later on, I digitally cut and move the solo or 2nd part so that it plays with the original rhythm track. Sometime these are better than solos one might overdub later, even after multiple takes, because you're playing the solo "live" when you have the same feel and inspiration as you had playing the chords.

Guitar Slim II · #9 10-24-2017, 08:43 PM

Could you get around this with a Line 6 kind of interface for your DI? If it had its own driver, and connected via USB? I think most DAWs would recognize it as a virtual input, but it wouldn’t need to take up a channel on your audio interface.

MikeBmusic · #10 10-25-2017, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitar Slim II

Could you get around this with a Line 6 kind of interface for your DI? If it had its own driver, and connected via USB? I think most DAWs would recognize it as a virtual input, but it wouldn’t need to take up a channel on your audio interface.

That would be using two USB audio devices on one computer - possible with a MAC, but difficult with a WIN computer, and still need to deal with the differences form two device clocks.

RustyAxe · #11 10-25-2017, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

He's trying to record 2 mics + DI from the same take. 3 inputs needed on the AI!

Mike, I understand that ... and getting it all at once is fine, but he doesn't have the proper gear, and doesn't appear interested in buying it. So ... my suggestion would be record what he can, dub the rest after the fact. If recording a live performance, he should use two good large diaphragm condensers and just record to a stereo track, as someone else suggested.