Mixer Question.

[FranklinD]

The # of sub outs on a mixer determines the # of channels you can hook into your line ins on your soundcard? Is that right?

Like, a 4 bus mixer = 4 simultaneous tracks

Or can you just use the direct outs to go into the soundcard?

I've been reading about this quite a bit today but I'm still confused. I have no equipment yet so I'm having a hard time seeing the way this stuff connects...

Thanks again.

[Farview]

You can use the direct outs or the sub outs. When you are doing something that requires more outputs than you have subs, use the direct outs.

[gecko zzed]

The number of sub-outs gives you part of the story. If you have four sub-outs plus a master output, that gives you six. However, you also have lineouts from each channel (in some cases) or inserts (usually) that you can call in to play. If you need more outs, you can also make use of aux sends, so even with a fairly basic mixer, you can actually generate a good number of separately mixable channels to feed into your PC. The limit then becomes the number of separate tracks your PC can accept.

[FranklinD]

Ok.. So really a mixer is pretty flexible. I guess that's the point of using one.

Is there a site or anything where I can see examples of different features of a mixer being used(Prolly a dumb question)? I'm starting to see that there are lots of ways to achieve similar results.

The mixer I might be getting is a Soundcraft Spirit SX. Way more features than I planned to start with.. but that's a good thing I think. I'll be getting a good price on it as well. I wouldn't consider something like this unless the price was right.

It's a 4 bus mixer with 2 sub outs and direct outs on each channel(I think)... If they are able to do the same thing(s), what exactly is different about them? Is it where they sit in the signal chain? I'm really trying to get this.

Thanks.

[crankz1]

A sub or bus output is a selectable output pair that multiple input channels can be routed to and summed to that output pair.
A direct output or insert I/O is basically tapping directly off of the individual input channel to achieve a "direct output" of that single channel or, in the case of an insert--- create an effects loop or just tap the send of the insert I/O to achieve a direct output of a specific channel.
Insert I/O and direct outs are typically pre fader\EQ (unless selectable by the mixer), so what you get at the direct out\insert would be directly after the input trim\gain control in the signal chain of said input channel.