New to recording, got some questions

[shoe1]

Right now i use my computer with a mic that goes through some adapters through the microphone jack. I record on Cool Edit Pro. But i have a problem. My band wants to record some more stuff, but this time with nice drum mics. If we get one of those 7 piece drum mics, i won't be able to record into my computer, right? Becuase each mic will have a seperate cable, so i won't be able to plug 7 different mics into my computer at the same time.

Would getting a mixerboard help? like a eurorack or something cheap and basic. Thanks, i hope this made sense.

-Shoe

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/ad...ghwaymusic.htm

[TexRoadkill]

You need a mic preamp for each mic. Mixers are usually the cheapest way to get a bunch of preamps. If you want to record everything to it's own track you need to keep the paths seperate. This requires Direct Outs on each mixer channel (there are some ways to cheat using busses and aux sends) and a soundcard with seperate inputs like the Maudio Delta 1010.

[shoe1]

Alright. Is there anyway to just record all the mics using only one track? Keep in mind im a beginner. Thanks!

-Shoe

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/ad...ghwaymusic.htm

[shoe1]

let me rephrase that. First off, if i get this mixer: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/631234/
how many drum mics will i be able to record at once? second, if i record the drums through the mixer, then send it to the computer, in cool edit pro will the different mics come together as one track or 7? Finally, on the mixer, if i record 7 tracks with the drums, will there be any room left for tracks for guitars, bass and singing? thanks

-Shoe

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/631234/

[AlChuck]

...how many drum mics will i be able to record at once?

There are four mic preamps, one each for the four mono channels. So the answer is: four. Unless you have more gear -- another three mic pres with line outs could be routed into the mixer's sterreo channels to get three more, but then, you're probably better off geting a bigger mixer in the first place.

...if i record the drums through the mixer, then send it to the computer, in cool edit pro will the different mics come together as one track or 7?

You are limited by the stereo input on the soundcard. The most you can get at one time is two separate tracks by using the L and R side for each.

on the mixer, if i record 7 tracks with the drums, will there be any room left for tracks for guitars, bass and singing?

Like I said, that mixer has four mic preamps. So you can't even get the seven channels of drum mics in that you are imagining being able to do, much less being able to mic any guitars, a bass, and vocalists.

[Zeppelin456]

Having been in your exact position not so long ago, I would reccomend buying the Yamaha MG10: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/630048/ or the MG12: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/630049/

In my experience, the Yamaha pres sound nicer than the Behringer ones, although the Behringers are not as bad as many people might have you believe. That MG10 has 4 mic preamps, so you'd be able to a max of 4 tracks at a time if you had the proper soundcard. The MG12 has 6 mic preamps, so that brings you a bit closer to your goal of 7 tracks of drums (why 7 by the way?).

Now you need a way to get these tracks into your computer seperately and that's going to require at least a bit of money. A popular soundcard for multiple inputs is the Delta 1010 (or the 1010 LT which is cheaper w/ no breakout box) http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/701376/

This will put you back about 375 bucks already without any mics. Now if you really don't care about sound, you can buy a drum mic pack but I did that when I first started out and I regret it now since I have almost no use for the mics that I got. You'd be better off getting some SM57s and maybe a Studio Projects B1 to start and buliding your collection from there so you have no regrets later.

Hopefully that helps.

[AlChuck]

shoe1 PM'd me on this but I thought it was better to continue the thread here, so I'm copying it over.

Thanks for the help with my question!

You said:

Like I said, that mixer has four mic preamps. So you can't even get the seven channels of drum mics in that you are imagining being able to do, much less being able to mic any guitars, a bass, and vocalists.

If i'm doing seperate recording, and have my drummer record first (with four mics) on cool edit pro, will it show up in cool edit pro as one track, or four?

Again I say: "You are limited by the stereo input on the soundcard. The most you can get at one time is two separate tracks by using the L and R side for each."

The sound card can only accept two separate line-level audio signals (via its Line In jack). So depnding on how you route things, you can get all four channels from the mixer to either one mono track in Cool Edit, to two mono tracks (one recorded off the L side, the other off the R side), or a single stereo track (both the L and R into a stero track which is the same as two mono tracks, just glued together for you by Cool Edit's user interface for convenience).

So the answer is, one track or two, not one track or four.

What i'd do is plug all four mics into the mixer, and then using the line out, plug a cable from the mixer to the microphone input (or whichever input i'm suppossed to use on the computer.)

Not the mic input, the Line In. You need a cable that goes from the mixer's stereo outs to a single stereo 1/8" miniplug for the soundcard end.

So when i went to click Record in Cool edit, it'd record through the mixer and work, correct? And then would it show up as one track?

One, or two, depending on how you route your signals.

Thanks man, we all really appreciate your help. My bands trying to record a demo but we have no clue at all to record good drums. Thanks again,

-Shoe

Good luck! It's a bit like trying to fly to LA by getting a plane and trying to learn how to fly it right away, but hey, go for it!

[shoe1]

Thanks! I just got a Shure SM57 today, and it's already making our sound better. The mixer should be coming next week, if i get it for my b-day , so i'll figure it all out then. THanks again man

-Shoe