It is true that simultaneous playback and recording in Windows PC is not possible due to limitation of Windows Operating System.
Recording is possible but a thumping noise will appear every now and then and therefore not advisable for professional applications.
http://support.microsoft.com/Yes it is possible to tweak it but NOISE will always be there - ASK BABA DEV
http://ask.badadev.com/questions/3766/about-simultaneous-sound-playback-and-recording
http://ask.badadev.com/
We can avoid this limitation if we use pro audio interfaces but then we are moving into digital realm that is more sophisticated and complicated for our sound person to handle.
Therefore we have to keep it simple and easy to use.
Therefore, we should also not add another computer in the sound room. There is so much equipment to handle and we need to simplify the connectivity and the process without adding a PC.
I believe we make MP3 CD available for people after almost every program. The current process is to copy MP3 file that is recorded in the PC onto a master CD. Then we duplicate the master CD on a standalone duplicator to give away to the attendees. It is a 3-step process and computer is needed. I believe that the recording process should be completely standalone without any computer.
It seems like there is no problem with the current PC but the sound card is bad. And also we are putting too much load on the CPU by recording simultaneously on the same PC.
To solve the audio problem we are facing right now, I suggest we buy the following two pieces of hardware.
1. We should buy a standalone CD/MP3 recorder ( NO PC REQUIRED ) .
After each program, you can title or name each track on the unit before finalizing the master CD copy that can be readily duplicated.
TASCAM CD-RW900SL $ 299
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CDRW900SL/ ( Sweetwater gives automatic 2-year warranty on every item )
2. This is a professional extreme-fidelity sound card that will make the sound shine. Very important piece of equipment to replace in our desktop PC that has a bad sound card.
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series PCI Express Sound Card $138.50
The next two items are optional, and good to have it if you have to connect a laptop or PC audio to the mixer using USB port.
3. To create a stereo recording using USB output of a PC, we need this Direct Box. The output is XLR that connects to the mixer board.
USB Direct Box to Output Computer Audio to eliminate ground loops and connection with projector - $51
4. This is a sound card for laptops. The connectivity is USB instead of typical 1/8" headphone output of laptop that is prone to get damaged.
