Do I NEED a mixer?

[PrettyMonster]

This is my first post so please be gentle.

I'll start out with a list of my gear:

Cubase SX
Tascam US428 Controller
Presonus TubePre
E-Mu 1820 (planning on purchasing the sync card)
Various budget mics, headphones, etc

I've got a friend with a Tascam TSR8 (8 1/4" ins & outs) that he'll let me borrow. So I'd like to record to tape and then bounce the tracks into Cubase for all the editing, mixing, etc. (I believe) this should give me a nice analog sound with the added advantage of being able to work with the tracks in the digital realm.

So my question is: if I'm going to be doing all the mixing in Cubase do I need a mixer or should I go with something like a Firepod or Motu 8pre?

I originally bought the E-mu 1820 about a year ago for a project like this for my last band but we broke up before having an opportunity to record. For that project I was going to use my friend's TSR8 and his Mackie CR-1604 mixer. But since then the Mackie mixer has fallen (no pun intended) on hard times and is no longer an option.

Here's the setup I was going to use:
CR-1604 -> TSR8 -> Cubase via E-mu 1820

Here's what I'm thinking might work instead:
Firepod or 8pre -> TSR8 - > Cubase via E-mu 1820 (I think I have to use my 1820 at this stage because of its ability to generate & read SMPTE)

Any opinions, info, help or guidance you have on this subject is greatly appreciated.

 

[whjr15]

So I'd like to record to tape and then bounce the tracks into Cubase for all the editing, mixing, etc.

So my question is: if I'm going to be doing all the mixing in Cubase do I need a mixer or should I go with something like a Firepod or Motu 8pre?

You pretty much answered your own question. No, you don't NEED one, (a mixer) as you can edit and mix inside cubase just as well as you could with a mixer.

But it's all personal preference... And if you're fairly new to this, I'd suggest this route until you familiarize yourself with the odds & ends of the process.

 

[PrettyMonster]

I just realized that the Motu 8pre doesn't have analog outputs so it probably won't work for what I need.

Is the firepod my only option in that price range?

 

[whjr15]

Ok dude, you lost me... What EXACTLY are you trying to do?

 

[PrettyMonster]

record to tape (Tascam TSR8) then bounce the tracks down to cubase. The TSR8 only has 8 analog ins & outs on the back so I need something with 8 preamps & 8 analog outs to go between the mics and the TSR8. Like:

Mics -> Firepod or similar -> TSR8
then
TSR8 -> Cubase via E-mu 1820

Does this make sense? Its quit possible that I have things all wrong. If that is the case could you please correct me.

 

[jdier]

You may be making things more complicated than need be...

To get 8 tracks of audio on the Tascam, you will need a mixing board.

To get form the Tascam to the computer, you could do it 2 tracks at a time with just the Tascam and the Emu.

Once in the computer, you would no longer need the mixer.

The only reason you need it is to RECORD the 8 initial channels ONTO tape.

Hope that helps.

 

[PrettyMonster]

But that kind of brings me back to my initial question. If I'm going to be doing all the mixing, editing, etc on the computer do I need a mixer or can I get away with using a rackmounted unit like the firepod. The only reason I ask is because it seems like a mixer with halfway descent preamps is going to run me at least $700 whereas a firepod is only about $500. And it seems silly to spend the extra $200+ on all the bells & whistles that a mixer comes with 'cause i'm probably not going to use any of them. I mean the only components of the mixer that I'd be using are the preamps and direct outs, right?

 

[sdelsolray]

But that kind of brings me back to my initial question. If I'm going to be doing all the mixing, editing, etc on the computer do I need a mixer or can I get away with using a rackmounted unit like the firepod. The only reason I ask is because it seems like a mixer with halfway descent preamps is going to run me at least $700 whereas a firepod is only about $500. And it seems silly to spend the extra $200+ on all the bells & whistles that a mixer comes with 'cause i'm probably not going to use any of them. I mean the only components of the mixer that I'd be using are the preamps and direct outs, right?

What's the maximum number of tracks that you will be recording at one time? Do you have enough channels of preamps and AD converters to record that maximum number of simultaneous tracks?

If the answer to the secnd question is "yes", you do not need an analog mixer for the front end. You might want one for your monitoring chain, but that's a different issue.

 

[PrettyMonster]

Since the TSR8 is an 8 track reel to reel I'd like to be able to record 8 tracks at the same time. Although I was reading that I may need one of the tracks for the SMPTE code, so I may only be able to record 7 at once.

I currently do not have enough preamps. Thats what I need either a mixer or firepod-like unit for.

I believe the E-mu 1820 has enough AD converts to accomplish what I need.

If the answer to the secnd question is "yes", you do not need an analog mixer for the front end. You might want one for your monitoring chain, but that's a different issue.

So what you're saying is that if i get a firepod (giving me enough preamps) then I won't need a mixer?

 

[jdier]

But that kind of brings me back to my initial question. If I'm going to be doing all the mixing, editing, etc on the computer do I need a mixer or can I get away with using a rackmounted unit like the firepod. The only reason I ask is because it seems like a mixer with halfway descent preamps is going to run me at least $700 whereas a firepod is only about $500. And it seems silly to spend the extra $200+ on all the bells & whistles that a mixer comes with 'cause i'm probably not going to use any of them. I mean the only components of the mixer that I'd be using are the preamps and direct outs, right?

I record direct to my RME FF800 (before that to my Aardvark Q10's) and do not have a mixer.

I picked the RME over the firepod, but have two buddies with Firepods and their stuff sounds about as good as mine.

For your appliction, you might be able to use the Firepod as a mixer... Plug 8 mics in, then 8 lines out to the tape machine... then turn around and take the 8 out of the tape back into the firepod.

Seems like a lot of work to me when you could just go direct, but should work.

Drop and email to presonus tech support and they will help you out.

Jim

 

[Nick98338]

I'm trying to understand why you want to record to tape. You said you want to "bounce" to Cubase for editing. OK, why not just record into Cubase and skip the tape? If you did that, you could use just the Firepod. Mics to Firepod to Cubase. No tape needed. The Firepod and the Cubase SX can handle 8 channels at a time, just fine.

 

[PrettyMonster]

Sorry, haven't checked this thread in a while...

Basically I want to record to tape because of the way it sounds. And also in my very limited experience with tape I've noticed that its much more forgiving than recording to digital.

So by recording to analog and then sending all of the tracks to digital for mixing, editing, etc I am HOPING to get a "best of both worlds" scenario.

Like I said in my previous post; Its quite possible that I have things all wrong.

Perhaps its worth noting that the band I play in and record for is going for a pretty lo-fi late 60s early 70s rock/punk/garage sound.

Thanks everybody for your helpful responses!