do I need a mixer

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jobones

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Ive got a computer with an audiophile 2496 recording card, guitars, basses, a workstation keyboard, an assortment of amplifiers and shitty guitar efx boxes plus a few mics. Do I or dont I need a mixer? and why? Please dont give me one of those "what do you think?/it depends" responses. Thanks.
 
What do you plug all that stuff into?
I pretty much knew it when I needed a mixer. And you've certainly got enough shit that a mixer would be handy.
And I think to myself again... "what does he plug all that shit into?".
I think a mixer would make your life much simpler.
Can you play all that stuff at the same time? Or are you plugging/unplugging all the time? Please tell us.
Even a simple mixer would let you plug in your shitty efx boxes and use them at will on any instrument or mic plugged in, you wouldn't have to plug/unplug, you'd be able to route signals from the mixer to different devices at the same time, and so on.
I'd say get one.
What's your budget?
 
.

about 200 to 300 max budget, thanks for the advice. I wasnt sure to get one or not because all of the retail websights seemed to place them under live sound instead of pro audio.
 
You might find one of these around...http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2521500262&category=23785

It's what I have and has gotten me into recording. Or you could go with something like this....Behringer...http://www.americanmusical.com/item.asp?UID=2003041013204789&menu=&keyword=&item=BEH+MX1804X

people around here don't like Behringer much but you have a budget and you want to record, so something like this will get you started just fine. From all the gear you listed I'd say you would be much happier with a mixer.
 
other option

I used to use a mixer when reel to reel was still the best technology out there. I've since sold all the analog gear including the mixer. The only things left are a couple of patchbays. Using a Delta 1010 sound card, I simply route everything through 2 patchbays. That lets me plug anything into anything without having to reach around behind the rack. There are advantages to using a mixer of course. Like the mic preamps and the EQ's (good for twaeking while traking), but the soundcards today can do so much by themselves that I have yet to find anything that I simply can't do without a mixer. Yes, the setup is different. Is it bad? No. I it cheap? Yes. Is it flexible? Yes.
 
this might sound dumb but without a mixer what do you run all your instruments and mic's through to your computer and how are your speakers hooked up so you can hear yourself play?

Is there a way to plug right into your souncard in your computer and record a decent demo cd of a band?
Just Wondering. I'm getting ready to record my first demo with a band but have been waiting to get a mixer to do it. I have cakewalks program and a delta 44 sound card. Please tell me how I can do it. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!
 
beatlefreak said:
this might sound dumb but without a mixer what do you run all your instruments and mic's through to your computer and how are your speakers hooked up so you can hear yourself play?
Click to expand...

Most of what we need to run mic/instrument to computer is adequate preamps. Thus, we don't need mixer if we have decent preamps, and about to take record one or two signal at once. Mixers usualy come with preamp.
So why would we need mixer, Jaymz ?
Because it's mixing & routing capability. You'll save much of your valuable time by using mixer. Because you don't have to always plug & unplug devices you use. Put 'em on their channel, and go. Goes to both recording & monitoring. Not to mention if you use external gear (FX, compressor, racks, etc..). Routing your multi signal will be alot more more more easier using mixer.

Is there a way to plug right into your souncard in your computer and record a decent demo cd of a band?
Just Wondering. I'm getting ready to record my first demo with a band but have been waiting to get a mixer to do it. I have cakewalks program and a delta 44 sound card. Please tell me how I can do it. I would really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

What Cakewalk ? Anyway, you can also record 'em one by one. for simple, hook your output mixer to input soundcard. Arm some audio track in Cakewalk, hit record... voila.

;)
Jaymz
 
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