I'm new here but I need some help! TASCAM Model 16 user

[brockwayrich]

I am using the 16 to record a new album for my rock band. Here is the process I am trying to use:

Preface:
My band has a rehearsal studio where we are doing our tracking, but I have Cubase at my home studio to do all of the mixing.

1. Bring my TASCAM to our rehearsal studio and record the drums onto the TASCAM.
2. Bring those tracks home and put those tracks into Cubase.
3. Export a 2-track .WAV mix of the drums back onto the TASCAM.
4. Take the TASCAM back to our rehearsal studio to record the bass tracks.
5. Bring those tracks back to my place and add them into Cubase.
6. Export a 2-track mix back onto the TASCAM (now including the drums and bass).
7. Take the TASCAM back to our rehearsal space for the guitar and vocal recordings.
8. Combine all of those tracks in Cubase to get a final/proper mix.

My question is: Will the TASCAM recognize the 2-track mixdown and allow me to record tracks on top of that? I thoroughly read through the manual about this, but I did not find any answers. PLEASE HELP!!

Thanks all!

 

[Mark Richards]

Welcome to the community.

I'm not an owner or user of the Model series, but what you're describing would be basic track-for-track import/export operations (should be described in the owner manual) as long as the sample/bit rate is consistent between the D.A.W. and your Model 16.

Is there a particular reason you're going back and forth to the D.A.W. instead of bouncing (submixing/combining) on the Model 16? (If you're unfamiliar with bouncing, the basics are in the relevant video found in the "Tutorial and Informational Videos For Model 24/16/12" sticky thread.)

Unless there's a particular reason for submixing the drum tracks, and then submixing the drums and the bass track, I suggest keeping them all separate for better contol when the tracks are being mixed to stereo in the D.A.W.

For tracking purposes in the rehearsal space, a temporary scratch submix can be used as a cue track.

When you have your first song mixed, if you post a link to it in the "Songs" area of the forum, there are several of us here in the community that would be happy to give a listen and provide constructive feedback.

EDIT
Scroll through the Video Tutorials sticky for the Sweetwater Video. It's a well presented overview of using the Model 16/24 + D.A.W. for hybrid tracking and mixdown. There also are several other videos in that sticky you might find interesting/useful as you go forward with your album.

 

[brockwayrich]

Thank you for the thoughtful response. I really appreciate it. I will definitely check out the video tutorial.

I'm going back and forth because I want to use the DAW to mix the tracks. I know that the TASCAM is capable of doing this, but I fee that I have more post-production options with my DAW.

My basic concern was bouncing/mixing down the drums to 2 tracks so I have plenty of tracks available for recording the bass guitar, and subsequent guitar and vocal tracks. I am using a DI, a Sennheiser 421 and an SM57 for the bass. A DI, e906, and an SM57 for the guitar, and I want to try several different combos for the vocals.

Once I get a decent mix, I will definitely share it and happily get the feedback.

Thanks again!