A Choice of three

[Crue Head]

Well I'm looking into setting up my first home recording studio, and I'm in need of a mixer. Hopefully something that can also be used in live situations. I've narrowed it down to these three, all within my price range and seem like reasonable choices. The Yamaha EMX5000-20, Soundcraft M Series M12 and Mackie Blem CFX20 mkII.

The M Series reviews on here have been great, but only reservation is that it only has 12 Mic-inputs. Now you see... I found myself in quite alot of money when I got my new drumkit built, so let's say I want to mic each individual drum and have 2 overheads. That takes up 11 inputs assuming I don't mic the hi-hats or ride (only seen it done once, but that shows it DOES happen) exclusively. The major concern with this is I'd like to be able to have a couple friends stop by and record a jam. Now I don't know alot about recording, but from what I do know I think the guitars could be run through the stereo inputs, but I'm not sure if this gives the best results sound-wise. Something else I'm not TOTALLY sure on (because in every studio situation, it has been done) is not using a mic on every tom. There's 3 rack toms so maybe one or two mics would be able to handle it, two floor toms on the right side which one mic may be able to handle, the kicks, snare and left tom pretty much need their own mic. Other than this input concern, the reviews on this board have me feeling fairly positive.

The other two, I was only able to find a passing reference to the Yamaha EMX5000-20, and no references what so ever to the Mackie Blem CFX20 mkII. I know that they're both good names, and provide a few more channels, which would alleviate that problem. Anyways, I guess what I'm mainly looking for is input on the EMX5000-20 and/or Blem CFX20 mkII and how they stack up to the M12. Thanks!

[Crue Head]

No thoughts on the Yamaha?

[apl]

You don't need a mixer for home recording.

[Crue Head]

Then how do I get my 12+ mic's plugged into my PC?

[apl]

Originally Posted by Crue Head

Then how do I get my 12+ mic's plugged into my PC?

Why would you need to record twelve channels at once? Are you recording a live gig?

Edit: Oh, I see now, your drumset. You can get a very good recording of drums with only two overhead mics, properly positioned in a good room. Some will also put a mic on the kick and a 57 on the snare as well. No too many would try to mic each drum. You get a lot of bleed from the other drums.