Earlier on he mentions this is for a podcast rather than live music.
Yes I will be using it for podcasts, and sometimes the podcast will require more than 2 microphones.
Anyhow, as described before, you're best off using the XLR outputs rather than USB.
so, maybe purchase an XLR to USB converter cable?
Mackie mixers have a reasonable reputation though I haven't used any of their newer ones. The thing is, if your needs will only ever be two tracks, you might be better off with a simple audio interface rather than a mixer. Even if the mixer has multiple channels locally, the vast majority only let you feed two channels into a computer--you pan your mics hard left and hard right to do this. Besides Mackie, I'd look at Allen and Heath and Soundcraft (or, at the economy end of the market, Behringer).
What the mixer would be good for is, well, mixing your podcast live. You could have a couple of mics and maybe some kind of playback device for music and effects--but you be mixing them live BEFORE the computer.
The other thing to think about is whether you're sure you'll only ever need two mics. In my experience, no matter how many channels you cater for, what you need is always that number plus one!
I will be using it for podcasts, as well as mixing music in my home studio.
Even my podcasts will sometimes require more than 2 microphones / audio sources.
While Behringer gear is generally not regarded too well, I wish more user reviews would popup on their interfaces. This one gets fairly decent reviews....In that case have a really good think about the mixer you get and also check out interfaces with more than 2 mic inputs. Unfortunately there a few "middle ground" AIs, they tend to jump from 2 mics ins to 8! A long time workhorse has been the Tascam US 1800.
Dave.
as well as mixing music in my home studio.
I am looking into audio interfaces as suggested, but if I decide to go with a mixer, would it be best to go with a USB Mixer, or an analog mixer? Both I can adapt to run into the computer.
Thank you.
So basically I need at the least a USB audio mixer such as the Behringer Q502 mixer, correct?
How much effort do you want to put into it?Ok I am a little confused. I thought there was no way to record on separate channels with 2 USB microphones.
I have 2 USB Microphones, but I was under the understanding this wasn't possible.
How much effort do you want to put into it?
Not easily with a Windows computer and one of the big reasons USB mics are not recommended here.
Give this a look and maybe it's something to try... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiTCNlaV56I
From Audacity's site.... FAQ:Recording - How To's - Audacity Manual
I 'think' Mac computers can use two USB mic with something called an 'aggregate' device setup (I don't have a Mac, so only going on what I've picked up here and there)
You can pan one mic left and one mic right and each will have the sound come out of the respective right/left speaker or set of headphones. Without some dickering around with the recorded file, it is 'one' stereo track, not two separate tracks as was explained previously. However, read through this How do I split a stereo track for individual L-R processing and then re-mix? - Cockos Confederated Forums and give it a try in Reaper, see how well it works and if it something you want to do with everything you record. Might be other ways to do, but I had found this quick.Thank you. I am familiar with VAC, but was trying to stay away from it.
I will settle for a nice mixer which is either USB or that I can connect via RCA to 3.5mm to my microphone jack on the computer, and do the pan left and pan right to get 2 tracks. lol
At least until I am rich enough to afford a nice mixer with a firewire connection.
You can pan one mic left and one mic right and each will have the sound come out of the respective right/left speaker or set of headphones. Without some dickering around with the recorded file, it is 'one' stereo track, not two separate tracks as was explained previously. However, read through this How do I split a stereo track for individual L-R processing and then re-mix? - Cockos Confederated Forums and give it a try in Reaper, see how well it works and if it something you want to do with everything you record. Might be other ways to do, but I had found this quick.
Still think you'd be better off with a decent USB interface if you want to maintain separate tracks for each mic. Add a cheap mixer later if you think you really need one.
Check here > https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...294246769&view=GRID&setIPP=100&srtclk=itemspp once in a while. I've bought a used Behringer USB mixer there at a good savings over new.I can split the tracks in Audacity if necessary.
The problem with the USB interfaces that are decent, is that they are farely expensive, and I am on a fixed income.
That is why I was looking at an inexpensive mixer until I can afford something nicer.
I found an inexpensive audio interface from Behringer, but it only has one input for microphones.