mixer vs di box

[syntheticfaith]

Okay, I am new, and suck diddly-uk. So please bare with me.

I have a comptuter with 4 1/4 trs balance inputs.
(and all the software)

I would like to have the option of recording 4 tracks similtaneously, and have them be all 4 xlr or all four trs or a mix.

See the problem is two of my inputs are in front of my pc and two in back, I wanted a neat unit, where I could plug everything in side by side, and tweak a little.

Any recommendations? I thought a mixer, with four trs outs (know of any)

Musicians friend suggested a four port di box, so I guess with that I could tweak with software (which I do have).

Thanks. sorry if this is not totally clear.

[Bulls Hit]

That is one wierd computer.

I don't see how a mixer will help, as you'll still have to plug the mixer outs into each input if you want to record 4 tracks simultaneously.

The only thing I can think of is to get something like the M Audio Delta 44 card which gives you 4 balanced/unbalanced 1/4" ins nicely packaged side by side in a breakout box

[syntheticfaith]

I was thinking mixer because it would be easy to sit on a desk, and not have to plug and unplug from the computer (front and back). Also because some have the xlr and trs inputs (so I wouldnt need a converter).

I will check out the card.

Yeah my computer is on crack. (so is everything I own, like my cats)

[TexRoadkill]

Are you sure you have 1/4" TRS inputs? They way you described it would make me think you have a regular sound card which usually have the 1/8" mini plugs.

Either way you can use a jackpanel to simply give you more convenient access. You probably need preamps though and that would require a mixer or stand alone preamps.

What is the soundcard you have and what do you plan on doing? Are you using keyboards, mics? How many channels do you want to record at once?

[syntheticfaith]

Yeah they are 1/4 trs (thanks for asking though, I know I sound like an idiot). The one up front is an emu (out of production) its got two 1/4 ins head phones, then on back, its got a pci card with two 1/4 ins (digital ins and out too). I want the option of 4 tracks at once, but more often then not, it will be two. I will be recording mostly from two samplers, and turntables, but since most of the synth stuff I do is with a guitar I wanted the option of a mic (which to me sounds a little more raw with the synth) than a direct box. Also I will be recording vocals.

[Bulls Hit]

If you do want to record multiple tracks, then a mixer would be a good option. You also get the benefit of built in preamps.

The Yamaha MG series is of quite good quality and very reasonably priced. I've got the MG 12/4 which does the job for me

[trogdor]

Are you sure that the two soundcards you have will work together at the same time?

[manning1]

unless your lucky its likely if you record with 2 sound cards that
over a few minutes you could experience track drifting so the tracks gradually become out of synch with each other.
a way to test is to record the same click track to all 4 inputs for
3 minutes or more and see if they are still lining up after 3 minutes. why does this occur you might ask ? the answer is the slight differences between crystal timings on the 2 sound cards.
if you find this is the case then you might need to install something like a delta 44 or another multiple input card.
presumably currently you have on board stereo sound plus another sound card thats stereo in a PCI slot ??

[TexRoadkill]

Originally posted by syntheticfaith
Yeah they are 1/4 trs (thanks for asking though, I know I sound like an idiot). The one up front is an emu (out of production) its got two 1/4 ins head phones, then on back, its got a pci card with two 1/4 ins (digital ins and out too). I want the option of 4 tracks at once, but more often then not, it will be two. I will be recording mostly from two samplers, and turntables, but since most of the synth stuff I do is with a guitar I wanted the option of a mic (which to me sounds a little more raw with the synth) than a direct box. Also I will be recording vocals.

I'm still confused. Wouldn't those jacks on the front be headphone outputs? Are the jacks on the back actually one for line and one for mic?

If you want to record multiple tracks at once you will most likely need a new soundcard like a Delta 44 or 1010.