General Recording Discussion > Studio Methods and Terminology

Want to use a mixer to record your band?

(1/2) > >>

RawDepth:
I wish I had a nickel for every time a newbie had asked about using a mixer to record a whole band. The answer is: Yes, you can use a mixer but, before you go buy one, you need to be aware of what exactly it will do for you.

Many standard live mixers do not have the ability to keep all the tracks (instruments) separated for you. Instead they "mix" them all together before going into the recorder, hence the name, mixer. Which is fine if you simply want a quickie on-the-fly mix and don't plan to edit or mix down later. Once those sounds are all combined together, there is no way to separate them again.

If you want the ability to edit, enhance, and remix all those tracks later, you must use "all" separate inputs into your recording machine. This means your interface(s) must have as many inputs as you have instruments and vocals and your recorder must be able to record multiple tracks simultaneously.

Studio mixers, those designed specifically for recording have this ability, but usually not your common live mixers.

thebigcheese:
When I first started, I picked up a cheapo mixer on eBay and ran the output into my soundcard. I had to do all the EQ and mixing on the mixer before hand. Then I learned that I needed preamps and multiple inputs to get it to work well and I gave up on the mixer. With the way DAWs work these days, mixers are pretty much pointless for recording, unless it's also a control surface. I still have mine in case I ever want to do a live show, but the chances of me needing it again are slim. Hmm... maybe I'll just sell it...

thebigcheese:

--- Quote from: sonic surgeon on August 15, 2008, 10:28:24 PM ---What mixer do you have? (brand, etc) and how many channels?

--- End quote ---

It's a Sansui with 12 channels. I think it's only actually got 2 preamps, though, which I didn't realize until much later. It would be useful now for running out of my Focusrite and mixing live shows, but I don't think I'm going to do that much.

thebigcheese:

--- Quote from: sonic surgeon on August 15, 2008, 11:32:45 PM ---Interested in selling it, or maybe trading for other gear?

--- End quote ---

I would probably prefer a gear trade. I'll be honest with you though, it's not the best mixer. I mean, it works, and it does it's job. It's the MX-12, if that helps.

thebigcheese:

--- Quote from: sonic surgeon on August 16, 2008, 03:38:37 PM ---Forgot to mention, that it would need to have either TRS inputs or RCA - Either or both, that is. And I prefer a fairly quiet mixer.

--- End quote ---

It's got both. It's only got two XLR inputs, though. I don't know about quiet or not (I mean, it doesn't seem to make any noise, if that's what you mean), but you can probably find something about it with a quick google search.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page