Do i need a mixing desk?

[roryjd]

Hi there,
my name is Rory and I have just started to get into home recording.

I did it at school for GCSE which was rubbish, as it only showed my how to sequence in logic, and I did it for a year at college, which again wasn't too good as it only showed me how to record others and didn't really give me any knowledge about how it all works.

I have been playing around with a USB interface and a midi keyboard on logic for the past 2 years, but I want to take it further. I am going to be doing a 2 year music tech course in September, so I have decided that whilst I am working full time at the moment, I am going to invest in a small home studio set up so I am able to practice it at home.

Now I pretty much know what I need to get, I already have a macbook pro with Logic, and I bought an Edirol FA-66 interface the other day, which is loads better than my rubbish USB interface. I am looking into getting some monitors from eBay, and possibly a small mixing desk and an effects unit.

First of all, the main question I have been wondering is do I need a mixing desk?
When I did it at college, I used a Digital mixing console. These are great because it means I don't have to use the mixer/buttons in logic as I can do all this from the desk. However, due the price of these, I cant get one. I am thinking of spending up to £150/200 on one, probably second hand it from eBay, however do I actually need one and what would I need it for?
I have looked at USB ones, and I am not sure if these are good. A small analogue one is what I'm after, so if I was to get one, how would I link it up to my interface and then into logic?

Sorry for sounding like a complete beginner, but I am to be fair..

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I'm a big fan of using a mixer as the front end for a DAW, but I don't think you need one. I like them for recording groups live and providing various monitor mixes, but you won't often be recording more than two inputs at a time and the interface can handle the monitoring for that.

 

[FunkDaddy]

I did it at school for GCSE which was rubbish, as it only showed my how to sequence in logic, and I did it for a year at college, which again wasn't too good

I am going to be doing a 2 year music tech course in September.

Still haven't learned your lesson? LOL

You do not need a mixing desk or an external mixer to record with a computer. But your course will most likely take place in a studio that has one (at least I'd hope). Everything you learn on that mixer however, would translate to mixing in the box (often abbreviated here to "ITB" I've noticed)

A small analog mixer will more than likely have only two outputs (I haven't looked at mixers in a loooong time though, so forgive me if I'm a little out of date) regardless of how many inputs/faders it has. So while you'll be thinking you'll have a nice 6-8 channel mixer, keep in mind, the amount of tracks you send to your interface depends on the outputs your mixer has. In other words, those 8 tracks realistically would only give you a 2 channel stereo submix. I believe USB/Firewire mixers negate this point completely.

The only real use I personally would have for a mixer at this point in my home studio would be as a submixer for drums.

 

[Bobbsy]

Yup. I have to agree with the previous advice. At this stage in things, you probably don't need a mixer. More to the point, a cheapie analogue mixer doesn't really offer you much at this stage.

In my home studio I use a good (and expensive) digital mixer. What it offers me is (with the gear I use) multitrack recording capability. However, even more important, it allows me to set up multiple monitor mixes for people in the studio wearing headphones. Set up properly, I can also use the mixer as a control surface for my DAW and, finally, setting levels is more convenient on nice smooth faders.

The trouble is, at the cheap end of the market, small analogue mixers offer few, if any, of these capabilities. Most only offer two track output, the number of auxes (for monitoring) are limited, they certainly cannot function as a control surface--and the really cheap ones have either short faders or small knobs.

To start with, a decent interface will serve you better--then, as you start to be more adventurous, you can work out what you want in a mixer and start saving for a good one.

Bob

 

[TylerW]

BEHRINGER: X2222USB

This is the one I'm currently looking at. How do think this would work for mixing drums and possibly more things? This would probably be used primarily for drums...

Sorry for hijacking the thread...

 

[bouldersoundguy]

BEHRINGER: X2222USB

This is the one I'm currently looking at. How do think this would work for mixing drums and possibly more things? This would probably be used primarily for drums...

Sorry for hijacking the thread...

If you're recording drums I would suggest getting an interface with more separately recordable inputs. You'd be better off with a four input interface instead of the two input interface with a mixer attached. Something with eight inputs would be even better.

 

[Jon Chorba]

Another issue with having an external mixer (or in this case a controller) vs doing it in the box (that's what she said) is whether you like to be hands on when mixing. Some people like the feel of knobs and faders while they are mixing and hate using a mouse to get the job done.

 

[TylerW]

Yeah, well I have an Mbox 2 Pro, but I want to get a 7 piece drum mic set and obviously that will not work very well... Oh well, I guess I'll make do with what I have right now.

 

[moresound]

Another issue with having an external mixer (or in this case a controller) vs doing it in the box (that's what she said) is whether you like to be hands on when mixing. Some people like the feel of knobs and faders while they are mixing and hate using a mouse to get the job done.

This is how I feel ..... being brought up in an analog world.

 

[MG Eddie]

Dammit Tyler Start your own thread!lol. Also in the drums section I started a huge thread dedicated to using just 2 mic's to mic your drums if that interests you at all.