Originally Posted by: schmangeBouncing means to take 2 or more tracks, and record them onto a new track together.
So, for instance, you take track 1 and track 2 and set them to play at the levels you want, and set up track 4 to record them.
When you're finished you'll have tracks 1 & 2 on track 4 and you can erase tracks 1 & 2 and put 2 more instruments on.

As far as how it's done, it should explain the specific method for your machine in the instruction manual. It depends on the model & whether it's a digital machine or tape etc...

You can't record more than 4 tracks, but with some careful planning, you can get as many tracks as you want bounced down onto those 4 tracks.

For instance, record your drum machine on track 1.
Record a bass on track 2.
Record a guitar on track 3.

Now bounce those three tracks down to track 4.

Now you've got drums, bass and guitar on track 4.

Erase tracks 1,2 and 3

Now record another guitar on track 1, a keyboard on track 2, then bounce those two tracks down to track 3.

Erase tracks 1 and 2

Now record a vocal harmony on track 1.
Then bounce that to track 2 while singing a harmony live into a mic.

Now you'll have a 2 part harmony on track 2.

Erase track 1 and lay down your main vocal.

So when you're finished you'll have

Track 1: Main vocals
Track 2: 2 Part vocal harmony
Track 3: Keyboard
Track 4: Drums/Bass/Guitar

Basically, you've got the equivilant now of 7 tracks.

The only drawback to this is that the more tracks you bounce, the more noise is introduced into the signal. Plus you have less options as far as playing the tracks back in stereo.

Generally what I used to do is record the drum machine on track 1, while simultaneously playing the bass guitar live. That way I'd have a first generation recording of the drums and bass on one track rather than bouncing it down. Then I'd use the remaining tracks to build up harmonies and a vocal line to bounce down to track 2.
Then I'd use tracks 3 and 4 for guitar tracks. Playing basically the same thing on both tracks and then panning them left and right to get stereo.

You can also plan things out way ahead of time and add things on empty tracks (for instance on the harmony track where there isn't any singing, you could add a few tom hits or a lead line) then when you mix the whole song down, keep your fingers poised on the pan and volume.

You can also take that final mix and record it in stereo to your computer. Then transfer it back to 2 tracks on the 4 track and you have 2 free tracks to use again.

It takes a lot of practice and experimenting. It probably took me a year before I got decent at it.

i tried doing that but it doesnt work on mine. its a tascam porta studio. its anolog. i am confused. i think the only way i can do it is play along with it while i mix it down. and even then i can only add one additional trk(well you know what i mean)