Any ideas anyone?

[Neil Ogilvie]

I've just had a look around and have got real paranoid that I'm doing something seriously wrong.
I'm plugging my mic straight into my soundcard (Audigy), then using Cubasis to mix and EQ the tracks, then mixing this down to a stereo wave file which I then burn to CD on my CD writer.
I guess I'm lacking a mixer, but I'm not sure why I really need one, it's just everyone else has got one!
All my guide drum tracks are done in Midi in Cubasis and sound pretty good. Because I've only got a crappy Audigy and Cubasis I have to mix drums in a small 4 track mixer I borrow from a mate, then send it into the computer as a stereo signal.
The only mic's I've got are two Sennheiser e835's (recording vocals), an SM58 (with no pop shield, cabs and brass)and an e604 (drums and brass). I've used dozens of condensors and other dynamics, etc before, though in other peoples studios.I hope to by a condensor (and phantom power module) soon-Probably a C2000, because they're versitile and cheap!
I know that using cheap equipment and Dynamics is not going to give me great results, but hell, it's better than nothing.
Really, I was just wondering if there was anything I was doing anything SERIOUSLY wrong and if anyone had any (cheap) ideas for improvement.
Cheers.

[Neil Ogilvie]

And what the hell is DAW?

[James Argo]

DAW : Digital Audio Workstation. That's it. Some/connected devices that allows you to record audio tracks (...and MIDI sometimes) and let you "work" there. Mix, Pan, Leveling, add effect, etc. It could be your PC.

My cheapest idea is stay away from mic input in your Audigy. Better plug the mic to your -mate's- mixer, through it's preamp, and feed the output from mixer to LINE input in your soundcard. A lot better...

[SPINSTERWUN]

Originally posted by James Argo
.....My cheapest idea is stay away from mic input in your Audigy. Better plug the mic to your -mate's- mixer, through it's preamp, and feed the output from mixer to LINE input in your soundcard. A lot better...

I agree with you whole-heartedly.

[misterx]

Depending on your setup you may not need a mixer. For me I have several sound modules, samplers, etc. Each output goes to a mixer channel. From the mixer I plug into my sound card. As your studio grows you'll appreciate the need for a mixer. Especially if you want to start recording your bud's drum set.

[Neil Ogilvie]

Why is the line-in better than using the mic input?

[knightfly]

1. The mic preamp circuitry in an internal sound card is almost NEVER going to be as good as even an inexpensive mixer's preamp circuit.

2. When using an internal sound card, it's ALWAYS better to get your audio signal as HOT (loud) as you can BEFORE you bring it into the "evil electrical noise box" known as your computer. That way, the signal is stronger and can stay cleaner through the recording process.

3. Depending on the mixer, you can use more control to shape the sound before it gets recorded. Not always best, but sometimes helps.

4. Using a mixer allows for "zero latency monitoring", depending again on how you connect everything.

5. Because I said so... :=) Well, at least read the first four... Steve