multi track with Focusrite Safire PRO 10i/o?

[Spek]

Hi this is my first posting to this forum. I like Audacity!

I use Mac ibook G4 OS 10.4.11 (800Mhz)
Audacity 1.3.9
Focusrite Safire PRO 10i/o
Firewire

I wish to record 8 tracks simultaneously. Is this possible? Seems to be, but how can I see meter levels for each seperate track? So far only inputs 1 & 2 on the Focusrite show levels on the L&R meter. Can I monitor each track seperately? I tried muting the tracks (1&2) after getting a suitable level, but 3,4,5,6,7,8 won't show levels on the meter.

My preferences panel recognizes the PRO 10 i/o and lets me set it for 8 tracks.

Any other tips for muktitracking with this set up? 24bit 44100 OK quality?

[kozikowski]

There is a Secret Aural Teaching about someone who managed to get Audacity to multi-track record. If you manage to do it, that will make...... two.

You set Audacity to the right number of sound channels in Preferences? If you do press record, do you get all six or eight channels, or does it cut you off at two?

The trick is Audacity will record up to 16 tracks of incoming audio, but they have to arrive all from the same Sound Device. Most multi-track devices group their sound in stereo pairs and make each pair a Sound Device. Audacity will only recognize one of the pairs.

I have no idea what happens to the metering during multi-track. Nobody's ever gotten it to work.

Koz

[steve]

I have no idea what happens to the metering during multi-track. Nobody's ever gotten it to work.

I think the truth is that those that have the hardware to do it and have it working successfully have not come to the forum to tell everyone else. The vast majority of people on the forum are here because they are having trouble and not because everything is fine. Who goes to see the doctor when they are well?

[Spek]

What I did to check if it was working, I just hit record on Audacity turned up each input preamp on my Focusrite, then plugged a mic into each of the 8 inputs, said "mic check", stopped it and looked and listened. All the tracks had recorded. I didn't try 8 simultaneous, though what I did should've emulated it. I'll report further...

[kozikowski]

<<<Who goes to see the doctor when they are well?>>>

Well, if you're old enough...

<<<All the tracks had recorded.>>>

Eight one above the other? So if you play the show, first one voice [click] then the second voice [pop] then.., etc?

<<<Focusrite Safire PRO 10i/o>>>

FireWire interface.

The meters didn't do anything wacky, did they? I'm guessing not. That's good for a product request right there.

Koz