Audio interface question from a first timer

[deanmosh]

i was borrowed some stuff from my friends and want to start recording. Nothing fancy. two mics maybe three. I have a M-audio interface that has one XLR input, one 1/4, and red and white output. I also have a mackie 1202-VLZ3.

I would skip the mackie and just feed the interface into my computer but i would like to use more than one mic.

What is the best way to hook up the mackie to the m-audio?

Would any one be able to answer this off the top of their head ? It would be greatly appreciated.

I attached the diagram from the manual for the interface? Thanks in advance!!

 

[TetraFish]

You'll only be able to record a mix of the mics. Having discrete tracks is a big plus. You could maybe record a scratch track and then record the individual tracks one at a time.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Unfortunately these two pieces of gear aren't really designed to work together.

The maudio interface was made to be used standalone. Either one mic, or one guitar.

Usually the jack socket on an interface is line level input (sometimes with instrument level option).

Line inputs would be the appropriate place to plug in your mackie, and you would use two cables/channels; Left and right.

You could plug your mics into the mackie, Pan them all left, and run the left 'main out' into the guitar input of the maudio but there are two reasons why this isn't great.


1: As i mentioned, it's a guitar input. The impedance and level differs from line, so it's not ideal.

2: All of your microphones will be recorded as one, so there's no mixing afterwards.

Hope that helps.