Best 8+ channel mixer?

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nitrokid

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Hi all fist ever post on this forum,
I have a mac and all of the nesesary drum mics but i want to record my whole drum kit( 2 overheads, 3 tom mics, snare top and bottom and one kick drum mic). Im looking for a good quality mixer with usb interface so i can record with it but alao use it for other applications. dont want to spend more than £500 really.
any help would be greatly apprectiated
 
Hi, and welcome.

I usually recommend that people avoid mixers and go with something simple like a firepod/fp10, or a tascam unit.

Do your other applications require live mixing capabilities?
 
Read the sticky thread about mixers HERE. You want an audio interface with enough inputs and preamps for all the mics you want to use at one time. There are a couple of mixers out there that have more than 2-channel (stereo) USB output, but most don't.
 
The only mixer I know that fits your spec and price would be the Alesis Multimix 16 USB 2.0 (the USB 2.0 bit is important...the original Multimix 16 only had 2 outputs). Any other mixer in your price range would only have a single stereo out of the main mix, no direct outs. The fact that other mixers with that many direct outs are 2 or 3 times the price might give you an idea of the quality though.

If you truly want to know "the best" mixer with enough direct outs (via firewire) for a drum kit, check out the Allen and Heath Zed R16 but sit down before you read the price.

At your budget, I'd join the others in suggesting that you consider an interface with sufficient mic pre amps--or revise your budget.
 
ok what about the new behringer mixers the qx2442 seems to fit my requirements and well below my price range but behringer gets a bad rap. Is this justified and would this be a good choice.
Thanks Jack
 
nitrokid said:
ok what about the new behringer mixers the qx2442 seems to fit my requirements and well below my price range but behringer gets a bad rap. Is this justified and would this be a good choice.
Thanks Jack
Click to expand...

The USB connection only does 2 in/2 out despite all the waffle in the brochure about direct outs. If you wanted to multitrack a drum kit, you'd still need a multi channel interface to feed the direct outs to.

As for the quality, it's a new device so I've not had any personal experience (and don't know anyone that has). Behringer recently bought some high end companies (Klark Technik, Midas) and are trading big time on the relationship. Maybe their new stuff will sound and perform better, maybe not.

I have a few items of Behringer gear so am not totally anti. However, I always have to ask myself what compromises are included to make something so cheaply--and there WILL be compromises.
 
I would like to use it for live application but if this going to be difficult or much more expensive then i can miss that out and buy a seperate mixer for that. What would i use to record if i didnt use a mixer?
 
Please be careful with Behringer. I'm glad Bobbsy knew that was a 2 channel over usb unit, because I didn't.

I have found them to be less than clear about this with other USB mixers in the past.


It's probably a pretty good plan to be honest.
Something like a Presonus firepod will give you 8 mic preamps straight up; No messing about.

A separate mixer would be a good plan for live use. You run the risk that an interface or usb mixer won't work untethered.
 
ok guys so i have had a look and the m-audio profire 2626 seems to be good at the right price what are youre thoughts on this and what others are out there at a good price.
Thanks Jack
 
THIS would allow you to record your drum kit with individual tracks well within your budget.
 
Re: the Profire 2626, I don't have experience of that particular model but do have a couple of other M Audio interfaces and have been happy with them.

One thing to make sure of though is that the chipset in your computer is compatible with the Profire (which will almost certainly mean it has to be by TI. Most interfaces (and certainly the M Audio Firewire ones) are fussy this way. It may be that all Macs use an appropriate chip set but it's something to check before buying.
 
I got a Tascam US2000 for drums and scratch tracks at the same time. I mix IMB. Best $349 i every spent. 16 ins(8 xlr, 6 line and the rest digital) and 16 outs.

The puppy does everything.
 
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