Question about SONAR and REAC and recording

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avhjr
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March 31, 11 11:07 PM (permalink)

Question about SONAR and REAC and recording

I understand with the RSS V-mixer system and REAC driver I can record 40 channels into SONAR on a laptop via a single CAT-5 connected from the mixer to the laptop.  Suppose I've done this and later want to redo something, say re-record the drums (perhaps 7 mics).  Can I play back the previously recorded tracks to headphones for the drummer, and then re-record his tracks thru the V-mixer back to the same laptop?  Keeping everything in sync?

Thanks, I'm new to this.  This seems like a reasonable thing to need to do, but I want to make sure.
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    Jeff Evans
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    Re:Question about SONAR and REAC and recording March 31, 11 11:23 PM (permalink)
    I am sure you can do this. Of course if you take your 40 channel recording away and want to replace the drums somewhere else eg a studio then all the normal conditions apply.

    I assuming you are saying that the drummer may want to redo their tracks right there and then while you have the whole live setup going into your laptop.

    I am not totally sure of this but I would have to assume if you can get 40 channels across from the RSS V Mixer over to Sonar you must be able to go the other way and perhaps send busses or the master buss at least back to the RSS Mixer from your laptop. If this is very important to you you might want to contact the REAC people to find out. It might only be a one way connection but I would be surprised if that were the case.

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    #2
    avhjr
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    Re:Question about SONAR and REAC and recording April 01, 11 0:18 PM (permalink)
    Thanks for your reply!  I think I've read elsewhere that the V-mixer -> REAC 40 channels -> Sonar in on laptop is one way only.  So output from the laptop would be mono or stereo at best to the drummer's headphones.

    So not going to a studio, am interested if we could re-record tracks in the original location (a church).




    #3
    ProjectM
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    Re:Question about SONAR and REAC and recording April 01, 11 5:55 AM (permalink)
    I don't know the system but my guess is that your 40 tracks will be played back through the master bus in Sonar to a Stereo out which can be sent to your drummer. And I will guess that whatever audio coming in can be routed to the same stereo output, either through Sonar or via direct monitoring in the V-mixer so the performer can hear him/her self as well. And my guess is also that you don't have to re-record all 40 tracks again. You just arm the tracks you want to re-record and it will simply just playback the rest of the tracks through the monitors while recording on the armed tracks.

    Like I said, I'm guessing here, but I have never come across a recording device where this wasn't possible and standard behaviour.

    If you want to try this out, open one of the projects and Save As "projectnameMKII" or something - remember to un-check "copy all audio" in the save dialogue. Then try to re-record something on one of the tracks. This way you can see how it behaves without messing up your original project;)

    Best of luck

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    Willy Jones [Cakewalk]
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    Re:Question about SONAR and REAC and recording April 01, 11 12:52 AM (permalink)
    Can I play back the previously recorded tracks to headphones for the drummer, and then re-record his tracks thru the V-mixer back to the same laptop? Keeping everything in sync?

    This is possible - REAC by design was intended for live sound environments so the suggested setup is to basically max out the latency.  The digital snakes + REAC driver is only one way into the computer so you have to use a separate ASIO monitoring device (such as an FA-66 or VS700R etc).  You can find supported systems here: http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/20081222  while it may work for you if you'll be in a situation where you're recording live performances and then overdubbing in the studio you would probably want a different audio interface for the studio. 

    You mentioned you're using a laptop so FYI REAC goes through loads and loads of testing and supported specs for track counts are strictly enforced you can find these here: http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/20090304

    If you can I would highly suggest visiting your store or getting in touch with Roland Systems Group - they can go over all of the options, digital snake configurations, common use cases etc and make sure it would all work out for you.

    Willy Jones 
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    avhjr
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    Re:Question about SONAR and REAC and recording April 03, 11 1:19 PM (permalink)
    Thanks for your reply.  I posted the same question here:

    http://www.churchmedia.ne...o-sonar-recording.html

    and the reply was it wouldn't work because of V-mixer/REAC delays.  The poster said he contacted RSS and their reply was V-mixer/REAC/Sonar was intended for live recording (not studio recording) only, I guess once at time of performance?

    So I have no experience with recording, but I would think the problem of aligning multiple tracks not all recorded simultaneously at one session would be a 'solved' problem?  Or does all multitrack studio work assume you have no input delays if you want to re-record a track?
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    andy.king@southview.org
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    Re: Question about SONAR and REAC and recording July 09, 14 7:12 PM (permalink)
    Would anyone be savvy on the compatibility of Focusrite Scarlett 2i4? 
     

     
    Could this be an alternative to the Roland or Cakewalk interfaces?
     
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