Analog mixer

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StarMan

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I am doing good recordings with my set up of Cubase and Lexicon Lambda and a couple of mics such as SM57 and Rode.
I read that having an interface such as the Lambda makes having an analog mixer obsolete. My question, if I wanted to add an analog mixer to my set up, will I no longer need the Lambda and or can I add an analog mixer to the chain and if so what does having both do for my recordings and the quality I put out?
 
What, exactly, are you trying to MIX? A mixer takes multiple inputs and puts them into single (or stereo) outputs. The Lambda has stereo out (USB) and a few inputs, I believe. An analog mixer will not have computer connectivity (USB or Firewire)
 
>What, exactly, are you trying to MIX? <

My question outlines what I am trying to achieve. Sorry if I don't understand your reply. I'll want it as part of my set up for recording and mixing...
 
If you use the analog mixer instead of the lambda, your "good recordings" will be a thing of the past. This is because the lambda is a unit designed specifically for recording. What were you thinking of doing with the outputs of the mixer? Going straight into the mac's line input?

You can, if you want, use the mixer to submix before going into the lambda (for example, if you are miking up a drum kit).

As for quality, who knows? You haven't mentioned what sort of mixer you have, so there are no clues there.

Here's the thing . . . Why don't you simply just try it? You will find out quick enough.
 
thanks gecko looks like thats answered my query, looks like I'll stick with the Lambda. I don't have a mixer at all, I use Cubase DAW for everything.
 
If you're only tracking 4 tracks at a time, it looks like the Lambda would be all you'd need. Don't get me wrong, an analog mixer can still play an important role in a digital studio.

I use an Allan & Heath Mix Wiz and take the direct outs into a couple MOTUs (an 828mkIII and an 8pre). The advantage is that for tracking a full band, I have 16 channels of quality A&H preamps. For some bands, I'm recording all 16 tracks simultaneously so I need the pres. For $850, I got 16 A&H pres. I can also use the various aux sends to create headphone mixes as needed; true zero latency monitoring. Even if your mixer doesn't have a line output for every channel, you can also use the insert point.

A mixer can also be used for summing on the final mix. You can mix entirely in the DAW of course, but some say the summing is better on an analog mixer so you could do all your edits and automation in your DAW and then send each track back through the mixer to do a final stereo mix.

For your setup, it might also help since you've only got 4 simultaneous tracks to record. A mixer would let you mic up a drumset let's say and bus it down to just two inputs.

So in short, don't write of an analog mixer for ever... maybe just for now.
 
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