Outboard mixers with MR-8?

[Ricklh]

Do some of you use an outboard mixer with your MR-8, in other words, plug into a mixer and then route the signal from their to your MR-8, for EQ'ing, additional inputs, etc.? I've been checking out the Behringer models ($100 and below) and wondering if one of those would do well with the MR-8? (for those who don't care to use software for this function).

[Reggaesoldier]

I run all my shit into a behringer mx802a and then run from the 2 1/4" mains into channel A and B in the mr8. It works fine and is a little more beneficial to me when it comes to using multiple sources of sound or FX's. Since you can only use the MR8's FX, it is very nice to use some outboard modulation with the mixers' AUX i/o. And the only thing you'd have to worry about is the preamps. If you want to use a different pre for mics or some such you don't have the ability with the mr8 to actually get the full effect of the outboard pre, because you HAVE to go through the MR8 preamps. Follow me?

[kdgospel]

I use a Behringer UB802 mixer. It has good sounding preamps. Actually if you leave the trim turned all the way down on the MR8 you are actually using the external mixer's pres and the ones on the MR8 are not coming into play. The Behringer UB series preamps were rated very high by a guy on the n-track message board when he tested them against many other low cost preamps.

[pjh6467]

kd, I have a UB802 also and find I don't get a decent recording level out of the mixer pre without noise creeping in. The mic I'm using now is not phantom power. Could that be it?

[kdgospel]

Originally Posted by pjh6467

kd, I have a UB802 also and find I don't get a decent recording level out of the mixer pre without noise creeping in. The mic I'm using now is not phantom power. Could that be it?

I have used dynamic and condenser mics and have no noise at all. Have you tried switching to a different channel on the mixer? Try a different cord also. Noise can also come from other electical devices that you may have plugged into the same socket. Is the noise ending up on your recordings?

[pjh6467]

The noise doesn't end up on the recordings that I can tell. I work a medium between the mixer and the trim to get an optimum level without the noise. And then use a gain in software to bring up my level. But I'll check my cables and sockets and go from there . Thanks Pj

[kdgospel]

Originally Posted by pjh6467

The noise doesn't end up on the recordings that I can tell. I work a medium between the mixer and the trim to get an optimum level without the noise. And then use a gain in software to bring up my level. But I'll check my cables and sockets and go from there . Thanks Pj

I don't think you should use the trim on the MR8. Just leave it turned all the way down and just turn up the levels more on your mixer. This could be where the noise is coming from. Also the MR8 has noisy headphone jacks and the problem can be remedied sometimes by changing jacks or turning the unit off and then back on.

[dave in toledo]

while i do use the mr8 trim knob when using my external mixor, i set up the proper gain structure on the mixer, no clipping , then turn the trim on mr8 up to the point just under any clipping signal, i get no unwanted noise what so ever, but if you here noise from the headphones and its not recording, its the headphone amps, this is a common problem and fixed as kdgospel stated....

[kdgospel]

Dave,
Someone approx. a year ago, when I got my mixer to use with the MR8, told me to always keep the trim turned down on the MR8 or you would not get the full effect of the external mixer preamps. I just took their advice. I might start doing the same thing you are doing.

[dave in toledo]

Yea i used to do it that way also, but could never really get a hot enough signal with out the dreaded red led showing up on my mixer, analog clipping, so i get it as hot as i would if i was playing live looking at the display graphs, then i found i could bring the trim up on the mr8 aboug 1/4 to 1/2 way befor the mr8 clipped then backed it down slightly, my recordings improved immediatly

[pjh6467]

Well maybe I'm not using the mixer gains right. Do I leave the main level alone and just use the channel gain? Is there a method or do I mess with it til I get what I like? Pj

[cellardweller]

I'm gonna have to try kdgospel's method tomorrow. The tech at Mackie says I can run my PA/mixer without a load without consequence, so I'll just unplug the cabs to save my ears. In the past, I've just cranked it as much as I could stand and used the MR8's pre's to bring the level up to just under clipping...

BTW kdgospel, does "kd" stand for kid ? I always begin to abbreviate your name to "kid", just wonderin'.

[kdgospel]

Originally Posted by cellardweller

I'm gonna have to try kdgospel's method tomorrow. The tech at Mackie says I can run my PA/mixer without a load without consequence, so I'll just unplug the cabs to save my ears. In the past, I've just cranked it as much as I could stand and used the MR8's pre's to bring the level up to just under clipping...

BTW kdgospel, does "kd" stand for kid ? I always begin to abbreviate your name to "kid", just wonderin'.

KD= Keith Davis

[dave in toledo]

hey that has a good ring to it, sounds like a stars name.......

[kdgospel]

Originally Posted by dave in toledo

hey that has a good ring to it, sounds like a stars name.......

I wished having a ring to your name made you a star

[cellardweller]

I used to know a Keith Davis who played guitar from here in central Illinois!

Hey, wait a minute, you're not from here are you?

[kdgospel]

Originally Posted by cellardweller

I used to know a Keith Davis who played guitar from here in central Illinois!

Hey, wait a minute, you're not from here are you?

No, I've never even been there. I bet I talk a lot different than that Keith Davis also. You know southern drawl and all.

[cellardweller]

Originally Posted by kdgospel

No, I've never even been there. I bet I talk a lot different than that Keith Davis also. You know southern drawl and all.

His favorite saying was "damn dude", pronounced like "dom duuud".

I would definitely prefer the southern drawl.

[junplugged]

Channel gain? if you mean the sliders, I figure since there's nothing left on the MR8, then no, b/c they are only monitoring the mix and aren't in the input sig chain. All you have is the trim pots.

As far as a mixer w/ the MR8, that's fine for input, but the big problem with it is that there are no independent outputs for all 8 channels. that's a huge limitation. That really kills it for a lot of users, I'm sure. Digital out for a digital mixer would be the real thing. So you either mix down internally or on PC, that's it. The digital out that it has is only stereo mix, same as the analog outs, but just before the D/A converter.

[borinqueno]

Hello,

As a present a got a Eurorack MXB1002, two MXL 990 condenser mics,and a Nady Starower 9. I got the MR-8 as a Xmas gift. I currently have a Korg 01/W ProX keyboard and a Roland PMA-05 (Personal Music Assistant).

I plan to use the MXB1002 to record to mono signals into the MR-8 A/B inputs panned L/R as required. I'll have two single lines coming out of the L/R of the mixer into the MR-8. I'm just starting to get the hang of it and will appreciate any advice in the matter. My initial trial will be to record a bass track and a percussion track (bongos, congas, cowbell). Later on , add some guitars and vocals to build the final piece. Am I in the right track?

Thanks,

b

[dave in toledo]

its really all about setting up a mixer properly, check this site out and it will tell you how to set up the proper gain structure, then bring the mr8 trim up to clipping and back it down till no clipping at all.... perfectly clean signal

http://members.cox.net/pasystem1/