analog mix vs. digital

[random.hero]

hey i have never used a mixer before. I recently decided to take a turn away from my mixerless set up. anyways heres the question...
could i just plug an analog mixer straight into my soundcard of my computer? or do i need a digital mixer or analog to digital converter?
sorry im retarded...
thanks for all the help

[Anomaly Design]

You certainly ask alot of bizarre questions. You would also discover its easier to just try it out yourself then ask someone on this forum, but I'll humor you.

The answer is yes but it will sound shitty. I learned this by doing it myself!

[random.hero]

ok thanks... what do i do to not make it sound shitty?
just go digital?
get a converter?

[OhSh1rt]

If by soundcard you mean an A/D card then it's be fine, I actualy once recorded, what I consider, a good track with a built in soundcard, but a Delta 44 isn't to expensive and worth the extra money. Personaly I feel that mixer's in small project studios are pointless for many applications, allthough I put all of the mic's on a mixer it'd be just as well if not better to use some nice rackmounted (or not) preamps.


-jeffrey

[eraos]

Originally Posted by random.hero

hey i have never used a mixer before. I recently decided to take a turn away from my mixerless set up. anyways heres the question...
could i just plug an analog mixer straight into my soundcard of my computer? or do i need a digital mixer or analog to digital converter?
sorry im retarded...
thanks for all the help

What soundcard are you using?

[random.hero]

i really dont even know...
i will take a look but its just a stock soundcard in a new compaq presario
something shitty probably...
i dont need professional recording by any means, i really just need it to all come out somewhat decent...
so is Anomalydesign wrong?
i really appreciate all your guys help...
btw, Stadium Arcadium, the red hot chili peppers new cd, drops tomorrow, hope u all buy it... there are some great tracks on it (sorry for the sidetrack, but they are my favorite band, and i've been craving some new stuff since By the Way)
thanks

[random.hero]

do i need an adaptor from an analog mixer to my soundcard?
i read some stuff on tweakheadz, and my friends were telling me that you need some sort of analog to digital adaptor converter thing...
i couldnt find anything on it at tweakheadz, so could you guys please give me some help here?
thanks

[Dr Biscuits]

Well, your stock soundcard will have a line in (which is analog) and will convert that signal to digital for use in your computer.
The problem is, stock soundcards (or Soundblaster type gaming cards) really quite suck at that task. They can do it, but they aren't really designed for it and the A/D conversions are noticably low-grade - not to mention you've only got 1 stereo input so recording separate multiple tracks at the same time is impossible.
So, you could get by with what you have, but your friends are probably talking about getting something a little more geared towards music - m-audio makes decent stuff in a fairly low price range, worth checking out.

[Farview]

In order to mix through a mixer, you need a soundcard with as many outputs as you have individual tracks to mix. (ie, vocal track, bass track, etc..) If you only have a stereo soundcard, how are you going to mix anything through a mixer?

[random.hero]

theres a thing for that that puts a bunch of cords into one jack to put into the soundcard...
at least thats what im getting from reading tweakheadz

[Farview]

Originally Posted by random.hero

theres a thing for that that puts a bunch of cords into one jack to put into the soundcard...
at least thats what im getting from reading tweakheadz

Only if the soundcard is made to do that. Stock soundcards don't. You would know if yours does that, because you would have had to buy it and install it in your computer.

[random.hero]

mmkay thanks... how much do those run?
could i get one for around $100
thanks for the help

[Farview]

www.m-audio.com Look at the 1010

[random.hero]

mmkay this thread is gonna get ugly...
im retarded, and never worked with a mixer before...
tell me if im getting this right..
i have my instruments, and they are all mic'd up into the mixer, one way or another, and from the mixer, there are other cords that go straight to my stock soundcard?
what adaptors will i need if that isnt how it works?
once again sorry for bein dumb, but hey its the noob forum, positive rep to helpers

[Dr Biscuits]

Its ok, everyone is here to learn....

If you want to record things at the same time but onto separate channels, so that in your software you have a separate track for bass, drums, vocals, etc. then you need an interface with enough inputs to handle it. This interface will replace your stock soundcard, you bypass that totally.

In fact, other than using it's pre-amps, if you're working this way you don't need a mixer at all, you just go straigt into your interface and record directly and mix in your software.

Now, if you simply want to connect several instruments to your mixer, adjust the levels the way you like and record that mix onto your computer, then all you need to do is connect the master outputs (stereo) to your soundcard. What cable you need depends on the jacks of your equipment. Of course, this way what you record is what you get - you can't re-mix it later.

However even if this is what you want to do, to simply record a stero master that you've mixed live off the floor, I would recomend upgrading your soundcard to one designed for music production, like the Audiphile 2496 as an example.

Hope this helps!

[random.hero]

so i plug the mics and stuff straight into a soundcard?

[Farview]

Originally Posted by random.hero

so i plug the mics and stuff straight into a soundcard?

You will have to get a soundcard with built in preamps in order to do this.

This is what might be confusing you: In this thread, the terms soundcard, interface, and converters are being used to describe the same thing.

Your stock soundcard is useless for anything other than recording a stereo output from a mixer.

If you get a new soundcard (interface), you can decide if you want to use a mixer or buy and interface (soundcard) with built-in mic preamps. Until you decide how you want to work, you won't know which one to buy. Until you buy a new soundcard, no one can tell you how to hook it up.

[random.hero]

ok, how much do cards with built in preamps cost?
with the preamp card, then do you plug the mics into there?

[Farview]

Originally Posted by random.hero

ok, how much do cards with built in preamps cost?

Go to sweetwater, musicians friend, zzounds, etc... and look

Originally Posted by random.hero

with the preamp card, then do you plug the mics into there?

Yes.