Best way to get analog tracks onto my PC.

[rnagoda]

I like to record into my Tascam Midistudio 688 for the nice, warm sounds I can get.

I like to edit, mix, etc. on my PC since it's easy and fast.

What's the best way to marry these preferences? Right now I am feeding the Tascam into a Zoom HD16 and using the optical line out from there to feed the E-Mu soundcard in my PC. The Zoom is the middle man due to the lack of good analog inputs on my sound card. I do lose some, but not all of the analog sweetness, but I'm sure my setup could be better so I am fishing for suggestions!

Thanks!

[ibodog]

If the Zoom has a decent clean analog front end then you're probably doing just fine. Otherwise replace the Zoom with a different preamp that has a stereo optical out. Or just upgrade to one one of the new USB audio interfaces that are around (like M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Digi M-Box, etc) and skip the Emu card if it's analog inputs are so bad.

[RockStar]

I can't imagine the 688 delivering tones that are worth all that pain from 1/64" of tape but that's another subject altogether. If you just love the thing then what you're doing is probably fine. Ideally I'm sure you'd like to transfer all 8 outputs from the 688 into the PC at the same time. You'll need an interface that has 8 inputs to do that (or use the MIDI/FSK sync on the 688...again another subject). Consider a PreSonus FireStudio or the like. I have a feeling if you start tracking directly to the PC with a solid interface you'll like the results much better than the cassette.