analog digital or software mixing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter guhlenn
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guhlenn

guhlenn

Oh REALLY????
So what do you think is best?

go with a digital mixer plus digital input soundcard

analog mixer with soundcard

soundcard with mic pre's and software mixer?

again i will be recording metal/rock mostly and i havwen't got money (not more then $1K anyway). i'm kinda lost here....

with best i mean in terms of dynamic range, signal to noise ratio and quality of eq. in short which has teh best overall sound for the least money?
just your opinion is asked ;)

guhlenn
 
If you will be recording your band live, and are using a typical drum kit, get an analog mixer. Digital mixers are usually deficient in analog inputs and you will need lots of analog inputs for mics. Behringer makes some decent mixers that are cheap enough to fit into your budget.

Get a digital sound card for a PC to record onto. Something with 4 ins and 4 outs should be sufficent.

Assuming you already have the PC and some mics, you should be able to fit that into your budget.
 
digital sound card???

with analog mixer????

uhm, i guess you mean sound card with analog ibnputs and analog mixer yes?

ok.

any more views?

(i'm tending towards the analog mixer with soundcard too... thanks)

guhlenn
 
For about 1K you could get a 8 input card and a decent mixer. 4 inputs is limiting, especially recording live. What else do you need? It's ok to build slowly. Maybe get a 4 in card for now, then chain in another 4 in card later.
An analog mixer is the best way to go to get a lot of pre's for not too much money. I'll suggest a Mackie 1402 on 1602. Doing all the mixing in software is the cheapest and most efficent way to go. In fact I can't Imagine mixing any other way (unless it was on a $100K board with automation!)

As far as sound, plug in (software) EQ sounds (IMHO) better or as good as the EQ on lower to mid priced boards. Bang for the buck, software is where it's at. But be warned, you'll need a powerfull computer.

-jhe
 
Thanks,

i was kinda hoping for that. but 'm, suppose i get an spirit SX20 (can get it cheap...) would that be of comparable quality like the mackie considering preamps?

thanks.

guhlenn
 
I haven't used a Spirit board myself, but I've heard good things about them. The "Ghost" series (a step up) is supposedly really sweet for the money. I bet the Eq on the spirit is tons better than the EQ on my Mackie, I don't use the Eq much anyway. As far as the pre amps, it would be a judgement call. They might not be as transparent as the Mackie, but they'll have a good sound nonetheless, If you can get a deal then go for it I say!

-jhe
 
Thanks James...

It's because i heard so much about preamps f**kin up the sound when chosen badly that i didn't buy the thing... could buy for $300. i will be recording metal so a little dirt might be even good.

which software do you use to EQ then??? and is transparency that big of a deal when thinking about the details above?

thanks man!

guhlenn
 
I use Vegas Pro and Cubase. With Cubase I sometimes use the EQ built in to the software, but mostly I use Waves Plugins for everything (EQ, compression, deessing, Reverb)

-jhe
 
I don't know much about Spirit mixers. Mackie mixers are excellant for the money, but they are pricey (at least among the project/semi pro market). I bought a Alesis Studio 32 (about $750) I have been very happy with it. Behringer mixers seem to sound quite good for very little $$$, their problem is that if you need to send it back for service they have to ship it to Germany.

Unless you already have a bunch of hardware rack effects, do as suggested and use software plug-ins.

I agree an 8 input sound card is better but you might be pushing your budget limit. I have a Gadget Labs Wave 824 8 channel, I love it and it was very reasonable ($500). Alas they have since gone out of business. Other similar products seem to be going about $750.

I use Cakewalk Pro 9, mainly because I started with Cakewalk years ago and am familar with it. It also suports most Direct X plug-ins. Cubase is more popular (because it is also available on the Mac), Protools is more expensive but is found in more high-end studios. Any of these programs can do what you want.

Good Luck....
 
hi & thanks,

i know what programs are on the market...;)
the question was whether to use software mixing or anaalog mixer or digital mixer.

james, i've got waves so what do you think: still buy an analog mixer or just soundcard with preamp? i'm most concerned with quality since i've got to learn the mixing part anyway... or that aardvrak direcxt type of thing although i think theyre pretty expensive.

yeah i need 8 inputs, but more wouldn't be bad. that's why i liked the digital mixer idea... but then i saw the price-> autsj (that's phonetic;))

let me kow...

guhlenn:)
 
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