Dilemma: Mic Pre and Compressor vs. Mixer

[studiogenocide]

Hey guys- I have a dilemma and maybe you can help me solve it. Currently, I am looking at upgrading some long overdue equipment.

First, to put things into perspective let me tell you what I am doing and what I use- I am utilizing two condensers for acoustic guitar recordings, a single condensor for vocals, and line in stuff for all other recordings made like electric (POD UX2), drums (BOSS drum machine), MIDI for pianos, strings, organ, etc (Sampletank 2, Kontakt, etc). It is not a very demanding setup as you can see.

I am getting an 8 input Tascam DAW, and was considering a 12 channel or better Mackie mixer, but the dilemma is I can get a better two channel pre (than the Mackie onboard pres) and compressor for about the same money, and use my DAW as the mixer. Should I get the mixer and the two channel pre and run it then to my DAW? Or should I go with the pre and compressor and run it straight to my DAW and as stated before use my DAW as the mixer? I am thinking of eliminating the mixer altogether, because I really don't have much need for one for how I record the way I see it. Maybe someone can enlighten me. And if you want to know, I am thinking of the FMR RNP and RNC combo for my preamp and compressor.

Hope this isn't confusing- I am trying to save some money in the upgrade process.

 

[Armistice]

Hi there...

I'm not seeing why you need a mixer.

I'm not across your particular Tascam machine, but I have a Yamaha 16 track workstation and have absolutely no use for a mixer as I mix on the machine itself. I bought a channel strip (with compressor) and 2 channel preamp and use the inserts on the DAW to avoid its preamps, although they're not that bad at all...

My DAW also has compressors available for each track..

I'd be voting for plan B - get your 2 channel pre and compressor... you don't need a mixer for a machine with 8 inputs unless unless unless those 8 inputs aren't all XLRs and you were miking a drum kit, for instance, and you wanted to submix it down to stereo or at least partially submix it on the way in.

I do the same things you do, instrumentally, by the sound of it.

Good luck.

 

[wordave]

I may be missing something but where does your ADC happen?

I would go for individual Pres & Compressors, if you don't like any part of your signal chain you can then mix and patch equipment to get your perfect setup. No reason to get 8 channels if your only going to use 2!

 

[suprstar]

A 'tascam daw'? You mean like a control surface, or is this tascam unit also your interface? You shouldn't need a mixer, unless you have an interface with no preamps, and you're using the mixer strictly for its direct out's. Need more info, exactly what hardware do you have?