[Fitzleking]

Hi everybody,

I'm searching to get some reccording stuff for my drum kit. I know what mics I want but I don't know what mixer I should take. I don't want to buy a thousand dollars mixer. Does somebody could suggest me a good mixer?

Thank in advance

[Poco Askew]

Do you want a mixer or an audio interface?
Behringer makes OK stuff for cheap.

[Fitzleking]

Poco Askew, on 28 November 2011 - 03:04 PM, said:

Do you want a mixer or an audio interface?
Behringer makes OK stuff for cheap.

Yeah I want a mixer. What good ones could be good from behringer?

[Tyger]

be mindful of some of Behringer's lower/mid usb mixers because although you could tweak each mic setting you won't be able to output each mic to a track if that's what you are looking to do. Some of them only output to 2 channels.

Personally I use a Zoom R16 Multitrack recorder, it's light weight, affordable and heck runs on batteries if you wanted to. It also can record on SD card or direct to your DAW via USB. Meets my needs. Depending on your budget also look at the Presonus Firestudio. This one is nice because it transfers data via firewire.

Also make sure that your current computer can handle whichever mixer you choose. What kind of mics and how many?

This post has been edited by Tyger: 28 November 2011 - 03:48 PM

[Fitzleking]

I looked at the behringer stock and I found http://www.behringer...ts/PMP6000.aspx

I know that Yamaha has good ones too:
http://ca.yamaha.com...models/mg166cx/

Wich one should I take? Or suggest me another one plz

***Sorry if I had a bad english :s

[Poco Askew]

Tyger, on 28 November 2011 - 03:47 PM, said:

be mindful of some of Behringer's lower/mid usb mixers because although you could tweak each mic setting you won't be able to output each mic to a track if that's what you are looking to do. Some of them only output to 2 channels.

Personally I use a Zoom R16 Multitrack recorder, it's light weight, affordable and heck runs on batteries if you wanted to. It also can record on SD card or direct to your DAW via USB. Meets my needs. Depending on your budget also look at the Presonus Firestudio. This one is nice because it transfers data via firewire.

Also make sure that your current computer can handle whichever mixer you choose. What kind of mics and how many?

That's why I asked if he wanted a mixer or an interface. Mixers are designed to mix down to (usually) two tracks. I'd use a mixer for gigging/live audio but an interface for studio recording.

Fitzleking, on 28 November 2011 - 04:22 PM, said:

I looked at the behringer stock and I found http://www.behringer...ts/PMP6000.aspx

I know that Yamaha has good ones too:
http://ca.yamaha.com...models/mg166cx/

Wich one should I take? Or suggest me another one plz

***Sorry if I had a bad english :s

I'm not familliar with that model but it should do the job. I didn't know you wanted a powered mixer.

[Fitzleking]

what's the difference of a mixer and an interface?

[Poco Askew]

Fitzleking, on 28 November 2011 - 06:49 PM, said:

what's the difference of a mixer and an interface?

A mixer is used to take several sources (usually microphones and instruments) and mix them down and add effects. Its output is often two channels / stereo and in analog form. Even those with a digital interface (USB) typically are only providing two tracks out. It can be used with an amplifier for live playing, or connected to a computer or other recording device.

An interface is used with a computer. It accepts multiple inputs (like a mixer) but usually outputs its signal digitally - either FireWire or USB with all the original tracks left discreet. These are used with a computer and DAW software (digital audio workstation) for all mixing, editing, and effects. Great for recording. A little cumbersome for live playing 'cuz of the computer and software and the greater possibility of latency and other software/hardware problems.

[Fitzleking]

what do you recommend to take out?

[Poco Askew]

Fitzleking, on 30 November 2011 - 07:34 PM, said:

what do you recommend to take out?

What do you mean?
I don't gig so I don't have a strong opinion about what to use for live playing. A lot depends on budget, other equipment the band already has, venues, etc.

[Jimbo]

Hi,

This is a big area, Poco has made some very valid points.

It depends on your expectation and how you want to do it.

Audio Interfaces will record multiple raw tracks down to something like cubase or protools where you can do your EQ / effects processing later on, you can spend as little or as much as you want with these, the price will reflect the quality of the audio you get which will mainly be down to the mic pre amps (each microphone input has its own small amplifier to boost the level to a useable level). If you are expecting studio grade sound then you will pushing the budget. Presonus and especially the MOTU gear is quite good. They will all have latency if you want to hear them live, but the point is that you dont really need to hear it live as you will mix and EQ the tracks later on. You can get them in USB or Firewire, Firewire tends to be better for less latency as less compression to the computer. You also want to think about the computer, if you want to listen to your recordings while playing with the EQ and adding effects then it will need to be fairly good.


The audio interface in my opinion is the best choice for a home studio, but no good for live performances.


Mixers are a different game although they do cross over into audio interfaces as well, the likes of the alesis multimix is both a mixer and a multi track audio interface, most manufactures of mixers these days do a combined mixer and multi track audio interface. So you can use these for both live performances and recording, Ive not found the recording quality to be as good, but then it depends what you are expecting and if it matters. At home I use a Tascam mixer, in theatres I use Yamaha mixers. Behringer dont seem to invest as much in the quality testing of the final product, you can get two identical bits of kit that sound different, however you wont get a bad Behringer, I havent heard any professional sound engineers say anything bad about them, definatly good for the money. In terms of EQing, the cheaper mixers are somewhat limiting, but it depends on how much you need to EQ, if its just the drums running through it then not so much, if you need to create acustic space for other instruments and vocals then you will need some flexibility, however once you have recorded it down to tracks in something like cubase you have as much flexibility as you need.



So in short, depends what you want and expect. If you want close to studio grade quality and not for live performance, look into the audio interfaces like MOTU etc.

If you arent after any of that, and just want to record yourself and possabily use it for gigs as well, then look more into the likes of the Alesis multimix type mixers, theres pleanty of them on the market.


Just my 2p's worth anyway

[Fitzleking]

Sup everyone,

I went to my music store to get some information for reccording my drumset. But before I buy my stuff, I need to know if my soundcard in my computer could work for reccording.

The problem is that I don't know if my soundcard is good enough for reccording.

Can someone help me plz?!

Thx in advance

[TheYonderGod]

What are you recording with? What sound card do you have? It's probably just on-board sound card, but you're going to have to give more information if you want help...
If whatever you're recording with mixes down to a single mic or line-in output, almost any sound card will work.

[Fitzleking]

TheYonderGod, on 02 December 2011 - 06:56 PM, said:

What are you recording with? What sound card do you have? It's probably just on-board sound card, but you're going to have to give more information if you want help...
If whatever you're recording with mixes down to a single mic or line-in output, almost any sound card will work.

I want to reccord with a mixer with multiple mics. If you want the soundcard's options, tell me what I should give you and how to go to see the info.

[Poco Askew]

How many tracks do you want to record at once?

[Fitzleking]

Poco Askew, on 02 December 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

How many tracks do you want to record at once?

probably 8

[Poco Askew]

Fitzleking, on 02 December 2011 - 07:18 PM, said:

probably 8

Then you want an audio interface, not a mixer. Your sound card won''t matter for recording.

[Fitzleking]

Poco Askew, on 02 December 2011 - 07:19 PM, said:

Then you want an audio interface, not a mixer. Your sound card won''t matter for recording.

No I want a mixer

[Poco Askew]

Fitzleking, on 02 December 2011 - 07:21 PM, said:

No I want a mixer

Have you found a mixer that provides 8 discreet digital output channels?

[Fitzleking]

Poco Askew, on 02 December 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:

Have you found a mixer that provides 8 discreet digital output channels?

yep