Can I connect a mixer to a firewire interface to enable recording to separate tracks?

  • Thread starter Thread starter felifeli95
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felifeli95

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Hi everyone, I have a Mackie Usb mixer and it does not have a firewire in it. Therefore, I can't record into DAW software into separate tracks. It is all recorded into one track only. So yesterday I googled it, and found out that to be able to record to separate tracks, I need a firewire interface. So I am quite shocked that there are mixers with built in firewire interface that I did not know about. So I'd like to ask if I can just buy a firewire interface and connect my mixer to it? Just so that my new mixer does not go to waste.. If it is possible, can someone tell me how to do it please? Thanks :)
 
Only if your mixer has separate audio outs for each channel that can then be plugged into separate channels in the firewire interface.
(long story short, you're not going to want to bother)

You DO have to be careful when buying usb mixers because many only provide a stereo out to the computer.
But some DO give separate stems for each channel.
'Ya gotta do some research before buying....
 
One thing I'm wondering is why you need the mixer the USB mixer at all if you are looking to record. Considering this were a studio setting, you can just record the parts individually through the interface. You could make monitor/cue mixes through your DAW. Now, as this just occurred to me, if you were speaking in terms of a live performance that you wanted recorded, a mixer with direct outs on every channel would have been the solution as stated above. Either get a new mixer, or do the best you can to get a good balance during the show, and record the stereo output via the tape out.,etc,
 
signoiz88 said:
One thing I'm wondering is why you need the mixer the USB mixer at all if you are looking to record.
Click to expand...
It seems to be really common thing. I think it's because of all these fancy studio pictures feature a big console so the beginners think they need also console, but a little one.
 
Note - with your USB mixer, you should be able to record 2 separate tracks at one time - one panned left and one panned right. Read the sticky-ed thread above in this section of the forum about mixers.
 
Read the sticky threads. Do you even know what a firewire interface is and does? Does your computer work with firewire? As has been pointed out, you can record two tracks at once with your USB mixer (and what brand / model is it?) at once. How many do you need to record AT THE SAME TIME?
 
Seidy said:
It seems to be really common thing. I think it's because of all these fancy studio pictures feature a big console so the beginners think they need also console, but a little one.
Click to expand...


So you're more interested in look than what would work for your situation....
EVERY device in your chain degrades your signals and home studios are already crippled enough.
Of course you could buy a $50,000 multi-track tape machine and a $100,000 mixing board like the 'big fancy studios'.

Most home studios mix in the software, where there are mixer boards in every daw program.

If you want to emulate big expensive studios, you have to be willing to part with lots of cash like they did.
 
No mate I do not own a pro studio. It's just me and my laptop and my mics. I record myself playing all the instruments, haven't thought of developing a real home studio yet. I've got a lot to learn before I actually develop one. I just need to know whether it's possible.
 
mjbphotos said:
Note - with your USB mixer, you should be able to record 2 separate tracks at one time - one panned left and one panned right. Read the sticky-ed thread above in this section of the forum about mixers.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate
 
Armistice said:
Read the sticky threads. Do you even know what a firewire interface is and does? Does your computer work with firewire? As has been pointed out, you can record two tracks at once with your USB mixer (and what brand / model is it?) at once. How many do you need to record AT THE SAME TIME?
Click to expand...

I'm a new member, got a lot to learn. I guess I'll check out those threads. My USB mixer is Mackie ProFX12-USB. I play all the instruments myself so pretty much each instrument is recorded with 1 mic. At most I have 4 mics at the same time for drums. This is due to the limited number of mics I own. I'm still learning yea, I'm no pro yet :) I just wanna know if it can be done (hooking mixer to a firewire)
Thanks anyway.
 
felifeli95 said:
I'm a new member, got a lot to learn. I guess I'll check out those threads. My USB mixer is Mackie ProFX12-USB. I play all the instruments myself so pretty much each instrument is recorded with 1 mic. At most I have 4 mics at the same time for drums. This is due to the limited number of mics I own. I'm still learning yea, I'm no pro yet :) I just wanna know if it can be done (hooking mixer to a firewire)
Thanks anyway.
Click to expand...

Firewire is a technology. You can't "hooking mixer to a firewire". A firewire interface generally means an audio interface that accepts mic and line level signals, converts them to digital and sends this via firewire to your computer, on a per track basis.

Your Mackie mixer is converting your multitude of channels to 2 and sending them via USB. Once amalgamated, they can't be separated. Your question doesn't actually make sense... there's no magical device called "firewire" that can undo what your mixer is doing.

As I asked.... does your PC even accept firewire? Read the sticky on mixers as well. And interface is generally what most people use to get signals to a PC - it can be either firewire or USB - they will both send independent channels to your PC. You're confusing technology with device capability. Read up.
 
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