features a mixer set up with an 8 track should have ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gilwe
  • Start date Start date
G

gilwe

New member
I'm building my studio, based on my analouge Fostex 8 track recorder. Of course I must have a mixer in this set up - the recorder doesn't have any internal mixer but only 8 in jacks and 8 out jacks. That all.

Now, the question is, what features should this mixer have ? of course it will have to be minimum of 16 channels (8 in's and 8 out's) and come way to aux in and out to an external multieffect with an ability to on and off at least 8 channels to these auxs (to select which of the channels are effected by the external effects). Of course there are additional things to take into account when choosing this type of mixer for this type of setup. Can you add any suggestion or nail others features in addition to these ? any recommended model or brand ? Thanks !
 
Without getting into all the details which would take awhile, I would suggest looking at several different makes and models of mixer--but make sure they are mixers designed for recording. You need such things as a signal that goes to your control room monitors, another stereo output for your mixdown device whether it be two track tape, DAT or whatever. You can get away with 8 channels if it's an inline design--able to provide a separate mix for your studio monitors and to tape. 1khz and 10 khz test tone generator is handy for calibrating equipment including your tape levels. Ability to switch between pre-fader and "in place" (post fader, eq and pan) solos is helpful. Gee now I'm getting into all this stuff. Back to my first comment--look at several and you'll start to see what the differences are between recording and live boards.
 
gilwe...first you have to decide how many inputs you are going to need. If you have
Case 1. 1 keyboard, sing a bit and play the occasional guitar you could get away with 4 inputs.
Case 2. But if you want to record drums you may need 8,
Case 3. add guitars and a guide vocal and you are looking at 16+.

Next you have to decide how to get the mikes to your recorder. This is determined by how many group outputs you have. So in case 1. 2 might be OK, but case 2 may require 4 - 8. Case 3 will require 8.

Now you have to monitor back your eight tracks. As tapehead mentioned in an in-line console configuration every input channel also has a monitor channel. So if you have 16 channel desk you have 16 inputs and 16 monitor channels. Other wise you have to use the channels in your desk as both inputs and monitor channels. So a sixteen input console would give you 8 inputs and 8 monitor channels.

So take for example the Mackie 16/4/2. It has sixteen input channels, 4 group outputs and a stereo main output. So you hook up your 4 group outputs to inputs 1- 4 on your recorder. If I remember correctly the recorder will then have groups 1 - 4 appear on inputs 1 - 4 and 5 - 8. Then you can return the 8 tracks back into say 1 - 8 on your desk leaving 9 - 16 for inputs during recording and reverb and effect returns when mixing.
Alll monitored out through the main stereo out.

Hope this helps

cheers
john
 
Originally posted by gilwe
of course it will have to be minimum of 16 channels (8 in's and 8 out's)

No, it will have to be a minimum of 8 channels. You only count the in-channels. Thats it really.

Nice things to have is subgroups (preferrably as many as you can record simultaneously, which is 4 channels on some Fostexes, but 8 on others).
You also want two send returns, and good filters, and inserts, and separate monitor and main outs, with a separate volume for the monitor outs.

What you'll get of this "nice things" depends on budget.

Oh, and you *need* a patch bay. Well, two or three, probably.
 
Guys I really appreciate your help !

I'm gonna read your messaes very carefully to understand your directions.

Meanwhile, I would like to ask you to refer me to a link where I can learn more on these kind of mixers, and how to set them up in a studio.


Thanks.
 
um, just look in Recording Techniques and Mixing/Mastering. There are, like, 8 MAZILLION threads about mixers, no one thread says it all...

One thing to consider: Mackie makes a great mixer, at a pretty decent price. Stay away from the Behringer mixers, and heavily consider more tracks.

And don't spill beer on it. Otherwise, BEER GOOOD!
 
regebro said:
Originally posted by gilwe
of course it will have to be minimum of 16 channels (8 in's and 8 out's)

No, it will have to be a minimum of 8 channels. You only count the in-channels. Thats it really.
Click to expand...

I think he means that you need 8 channels for the input if the soundsource, with direct outs to the ins of the multitrack, so you're mixing what goes to it, and 8 for the outputs of the multitrack (for playback)...

This way, you just mute the inputs or outputs in between recording and playback sessions, no need to repatch the whole bunch.

You might be able to work more efficiently by only using the micpre-s (or seperate mic pres) and directly mix the outputs of the multitrack (if the input gets forwarded...) when recording too...
 
No, I mean that with an 8-track recorder, you need a mixer that have 8 channels or more, because otherwise you can not use all the tracks on the recorder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top