Compatable Mixer for Cubase???

[J_Man]

Hi every1, I am a 'newbie'!

I would really appreciate some advice off all you experienced producers.

I have a very basic set-up. I am running Cubase SX3 on Windows Vista and using a Tascam US-122 audio device into which I plug in my guitar and bass guitar.
I have a USB keyboard which I use to record my synths and drums e.t.c.
I have had no college or training, just been picking it up as I go along.

The Question

I have been using the mixer that is in Cubase to mix my tracks when I've finnished all my recording. However I would prefere a more hands on feel when doing this, instead of messin about with a mouse!

Is there a USB mixer that is compatable with Cubase running on Windows Vista?
Also would it work the same way as the mixer in Cubase, as in I can have the drums on track 1, bass on track 2, guitar on track 3 etc and just sit there and move the levels up/down and play with the EQ til it sounds sweet?
Then can I just export the track in the same way?

I'm sorry for my lack of technical knowlege but I just have a passion for the music and love writing and recording my stuff. Had really positive feedback from songs I've done and just want to take it further.

Thankyou all for reading and hope you can advise me,

J_Man

 

[suprstar]

What you really want is a control surface. A usb/fw mixer won't control your Cubase mixer later on, you can't mix with them. A control surface like the Behringer BCF2000 uses midi to control the cubase mixer. You assign the channels to your cubase mixer, then moving the faders and knobs around moves the corresponding tracks in the cubase mixer. A control surface is independent of the interface - which is the hardware you actually record the tracks with. Interfaces have inputs, and stream audio to your computer via firewire or usb.

SOME units have both an interface AND a control surface built in, like the Tascam fw1884. These are not cheap, but they do it all. I'd check out a firepod and a bcf2000, you could get both on ebay for around $350 used. But I don't know what you need / want / like. Maybe you don't need an 8 channel interface. Maybe you want fx, aux's, inserts or direct out's, who knows.. Go research control surfaces and interfaces and figure out what you're interested in.