connecting everything with a comp studio

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N8theGr8

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ive got an esoniq PCI soundcard, but will soon be getting a soundblaster live X-Gamer or MP3+ (better than the esoniq...right?) i just got a great 450 some-odd page book on recording, but it doesnt have too much info on what im planning to do, since its a little old) here's the components-to-be of my setup:

1) MX802A Behringer Mixer
( http://www.marsmusic.com/store/product_new.jhtml?catid=1450&prodid=13978&skuid=0&deptid=9 )
2) hopefully a 1.3ghz athlon comp w/ 128mb DDR memory, but right now a 333mhz pentium 2 w/ 128mb sdram.
3) n-track
4) esoniq soundcard
5) 2 Shure Sm57's and 2 RS's, or 6 sp9 nady's, havent decided yet.

i just wanted to ask how this system might sound, im NOT looking for incredible quality. recording my band with a $1500 + home studio is not a priority. i also wanted to check on connections, do i just run a cable from the mixer out the input 1/8" jack on my soundcard?
as far as i know, this setup can only record 2 tracks at once with only 1 soundcard, is this right? thanks, -Nate
 
Should sound pretty darn OK.

Yes, the Ensoniq sound card will only record two tracks at a time, I believe... same for the SB Live (which is better that the Ensoniq by a bit, especially with the capabliity of loading up Sound Fonts and not just being stuck with the on-board GM voices.)

You can either use the regular mixer main outs or the Alt3/4 outs to connect to the soundcard.
 
My advice:
1. Stay away from the Nady mics
2. Don't let Bruce hear your getting a Behringer
 
may i kindly warn you.

if you are thinking of upgrading your ensoniq card to the SBLive! for its AD convertor,
then please think again. i find that my ensoniq card records better then the SBLive!
there was some testing done which shows the same results in a website that i cannot
remember. Spend the money on a Delta 44, 66 or Audiophile OR keep your ensoniq
and spend it on a Mackie mixer instead of a Behringer. I don't know about the Behringer
but the Mackie will give you good preamps (which is what is missing in your setup)

if you are thinking of getting the SBLive! for SoundFonts ! GO FOR IT !!!!!

all the best with your setup
 
Do not purchase the Behringer!!!!!

If you have the money, purchase the one of the Delta cards (if you don't have the money, then definitely get the SB soundcard(you can use sondfonts)).

:D...peace...

spin
 
Lets stop for a second :

How many sources to you need to record at once?

Will you be recording live drums?

How many (approx) tracks will you be needing?

What kind of quality do you want? (just foolin around, decent enuff to pass CD's to friends, demo quality, pro quality?)
 
sources to record at once, probably 2 max. we'll record drums first, then bass and lead guitar, then vocals, and then any extra instruments. so we'll need 2 tracks to be recorded at once. if I could have 4 tracks recorded at once for the drums that would be great but i can live with two. (which 2 mics? im guessing bass and snare for one track, then the overheads for the 2nd)

yes we'll be recording live drums.

quality, i'd say inbetween passing cd's to friends and demo quality.
 
You're all set...

N8theGr8 said:
sources to record at once, probably 2 max. we'll record drums first, then bass and lead guitar, then vocals, and then any extra instruments. so we'll need 2 tracks to be recorded at once. if I could have 4 tracks recorded at once for the drums that would be great but i can live with two. (which 2 mics? im guessing bass and snare for one track, then the overheads for the 2nd)

yes we'll be recording live drums.

quality, i'd say inbetween passing cd's to friends and demo quality.
Click to expand...

If those are your expectations then you are all set I believe. You'll obviously have to sub-mix the drums in the behringer, which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. ;) Other than that headache you should be able to make a decent recording. By decent i mean somewhere in-between demo quality, and recording everything live into a tape recorder. It'll be enough to impress your wife/girlfriend. ;)

I would stay away from behringer... I speak from experience. Also, figure out how many mics you WANT to use when tracking the drums, and buy a mixer that has enough pres. That 2 passes on the drum idea sounds a bit dodgy to me.

-Val
 
what about phonic for mixers? mackie's are just too much cash for us.
 
Well...

I have no first hand experience with that brand, so I can't really comment on the quality...

Don't be afraid of getting the Behringer mixer just because we say they suck. They're not "pro-quality" boards, but it's not like they are totally un-usable and will destroy everything that's plugged into them. If you are just doing this for fun then you will be perfectly happy with the Behringer.

It's not an ideal setup, but if you can get something you are happy with out of it, then it was worthwhile. When I started recording I had the previously mentioned tape recorder. I would record a track on the recorder, then put that tape in my stereo, play it back while I recorded another track of me playing along with it into the tape recorder etc. :)

You'll learn alot if you make due with what you have, and when you do get to upgrade you'll be so much better off than some guy who just goes out and drops a bunch of money into a "top of the line" system. Good luck. :)

-Val

Edit: Took out long winded drunken rambling. Well some of it... ;P
 
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