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thedude209

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Now sure where I should have asked this so I'm starting here, if there is a better spot or a thread already going you can point me there.

My general question is, I'm looking to start recording my band's sessions. I have enough mics to get started, however myself nor anyone else in the band have much (if any) experience recording. So I need to start somewhere. So my question is, should I get a mixer or interface to start recording. From what I pick up, an interface would be good if I want to mix the recording later on my computer, a mixer would be better if I wanted to add the FX during the recording?

My price range is less than 500 bucks. Again, I just looking to get started somewhere. Thanks for any and all help.
 
You don't really need the mixer, Audio Interfaces are available with 8 channels in and 8 channels out. There will be a software mixer available with whatever DAW (recording software you use). Read up on the sticky posts in the forums here... especially the ones about audio interfaces and home recording.

Don't get a mixer yet- that is the first mistake alot of people make. They are better suited for live performances without a computer. A decent audio interface with enough channels (most come with the DAW software) and a computer will get you going!
 
Lots of embedded questions here to go back an forth on, but....

If it were ease and simplicity, yes a mixer with a tape/DAT or etc to record it would work. Of course, this would produce a source without access to individual instruments tracks for any editing or FX post processing. You would be able to edit the main wave file and perhaps attempt to master it, but multitrack is not likely unless you have multichannel analog recording gear. If no then FX can only be applied to individual instruments on the way in. U will be able to add FX but only to the summed track.

Interface and going digital, will get you much more control of individual tracking, post tracking mixing, digital FX plug ins and many more features. You can of course use FX in or post tracking to individual instruments and the main mix.

The downside, maybe in your case is the start up time, some learning curve, depending on the interface u choose and on the DAW software you use.

So in your case seams just tracking rehearsal and not for production, I would stick analog for now with a recorder at the end of the chain. No need to spend time and money on the move to digital for these purposes.

I generally don't turn on all my tracking gear to monitor or track rehearsals, sessions, jams and small gigs. I just thro up a Zoom recorder or at best a 12 channel mixer and record to DAT. It is too much electronics, power, and while I have nice monitoring set up in my tracking room for practice session purposes (but good during tracking) and convenience during tracking, some might not and the normal way would be headphones. Most player not interested in wearing headphones unless a recording is coming out of it and not for a session recording, unless a "recording session" is what you meant.

If were u, go mixer, which a band already has or needs, and it will be more efficient for session capturing and simple. That said, U might for the future begin looking and learning more about basic digital tracking and mixing. Something to move towards and maybe eventually buy an interface if you ever want to do a demo. I say this cause u already have mics and are seemingly moving that way, but if not the money might be better spent in the future on a good studio. They are some reasonable rates these days for good tracking without investing tons of time and money, and allows u to just play and get what u need.

Best of luck
 
Yes, like Bop says, if you are just trying to record your rehearsals, your existing PA mixer/head probably has a lineout that can be fed to a stand-alone recorder. Of course this assume you are miking all your instruments and drums, not just using hte PA for vocals.
Alternately, you may be able to set up a stand-alone recorder (check out the Zoom H4n) with built-in mics to record your rehearsals. It may take some experimentation to find the ideal spot th eput the recorder and balancing out everything in the practice room for balanced sound.
 
Thanks for the tips. I've done some more reading in the forums here and learned a lot. I'm thinking of going the interface route because down the road I will probably want to do some stuff with a DAW. With that said, based on price and reviews and info from this site, I'm looking at the the Tascam US-1800. So it says it has 16 in and 4 out. Does that mean it will only output 4 channels into my DAW?
 
Nevermind, I did some more reading and answered my own question about the 4 outputs.
 
thedude209 said:
Nevermind, I did some more reading and answered my own question about the 4 outputs.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, the Tascam US1800 is able to send 16 tracks to DAW at once. The 4 outputs are from the DAW/computer. I am guessing you may have read one of the times I made that clear. :)

Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions regarding setup once you buy the unit. I do not own one anymore but spent a few years with the Tascam.
 
Note that the US1800 has 16 total inputs, 8 MIC PREAMP inputs. Solid unit and often on sale.
 
mjbphotos said:
Note that the US1800 has 16 total inputs, 8 MIC PREAMP inputs. Solid unit and often on sale.
Click to expand...

Aw jeez man. lol!

10 mic preamps (selectable phantom power in two groups (1-4 and 5-8), 8 XLR inputs, but input channels 9 and 10 have the same mic preamps. No XLR or phantom power, but fine for a dynamic mic with XLR to 1/4" cable. Still 60 dB gain preamp as 1-8. They just have double duty as Line/Instrument inputs.

I suppose that would be triple duty. he he
 
jimmys69 said:
Aw jeez man. lol!

10 mic preamps (selectable phantom power in two groups (1-4 and 5-8), 8 XLR inputs, but input channels 9 and 10 have the same mic preamps. No XLR or phantom power, but fine for a dynamic mic with XLR to 1/4" cable. Still 60 dB gain preamp as 1-8. They just have double duty as Line/Instrument inputs.

I suppose that would be triple duty. he he
Click to expand...

I don't count 1/4" input (non-XLR)inputs as mic inputs! :o US1800 has 8 XLR Mic inputs with phantom power on front panel. I didn't want the OP to be deceived by the '16 input' spec to think he had 16 XLR inputs.
 
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