Mixers and my firebox...

[darrvid]

So I'm just looking ahead and wondering in what ways I can mic drums with my firebox. In what ways would a mixer be useful, and what can I use spdif for?

Thanks

[MichaelM]

Hey...
Well, as is you can record 4 tracks at once with the firebox. If you get an SPDIF/analog converter you will be able to record 6 tracks at once.

Really it depends on how many mics you want to use. With 4 tracks I would mic the kick and snare, and have a pair of overheads. Send each one into a track on the firebox and mix them later. If you had an analogue converter for the SPDIF input, you could also get a stereo mix of the toms and send them into the computer as well.

Anyway the problem is the firebox only has 2 mic preamps. So you will need either a mixer or other preamps to mic up the drums with more than 2 mics. If you are using SPDIF as well, then you need another 2 preamps. If it were me I would look at some of the four buss mixers so you can send each mic through to the firebox on a seperate channel.


Hope that makes things a tiny bit clearer

[sixways]

Doesn't using the Line in's on the Firebox override the preamps on the front? Which really just gets you 2 analog ins?

6

[darrvid]

No, the firebox is 6in. 2pres, 2lines, 2spdif. Thanks for clearing up the spdif some for me, I wasn't clear whether that could be used to connect pres or if it was just some sort of digital thing. The spdif/analog converter though, is this just an adapter, or an actual piece of equipment?

Any specific suggestions on a mixer like you said Michael? Because that was just about the exact setup I was hoping was possible.

I was looking at this http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG102 Its 10 channel 4 bus. Frankly though, I don't understand what kind of pre's it has.
"10 Input Channels
The MG10/2 features a total of 10 input channels: 2 mono microphone/line inputs and 4 stereo line inputs, 2 of which offer mono microphone input capability. "

Whats the difference between the 2 mono, and the 2 "which offer mono microphone input capability"?

I am correct in that this can power 4 mics correct?

Anyway, thanks for the help, gotta love this board =]

[sixways]

You are correct I found today...plus those babies are chainable...I wish M-Audio would get with the program. The FW410 cancels out if you plug in back.

6

[MichaelM]

SPDIF is a stereo digital format. To use it to add a couple more tracks you do need to buy an actual A/D converter to convert your analogue signal into the digital SPDIF signal.

Yes you would be able to run 4 mics with the MG10/2.. The only problem with it that I can see (The Yamaha website isn't that useful) is that it looks like it's only a 2 buss mixer, so you would only be able to send a stereo mix into the firebox, and not 4 seperate tracks for the drums.

I would look more towards the MG12/4. It is a 4 buss mixer, and also has 6 preamps which might come in handy if you decide to mic up the toms. I haven't really used either of these yamaha mixers though, it might be worth asking about in the other equipment and reviews forum for some extra info.

[brandrum]

I'm trying to record my drums with a firebox and a mg 12/4. I'm going from the rec out on the mixer, to the third line in of the firebox...but it's not working....what am I doing wrong?...I'm guessing I need to make the adjustment in the software somewhere??.......can anyone help?