Getting started with an Analog Mixer

[anxietyswitch]

Alright, so I've been doing recording for a while straight on my PC using a Presonus Firepod. I'm about to buy a Peavey Unity 24 channel mixer, and at the moment I am clueless as far as how to set up the mixer.

How would I go about setting this up? I've seen some elaborate explanations, but can anyone help me with something simple and step-by-step comprehensive?

So far, I'm using my FirePod as my soundcard thru firewire, I have some M-Audio active monitors, an Alesis Midiverb 3, and the mixer that I'll be picking up tomorrow.

Sorry for my total n00b-ness, but any and all help is greatly appreciated!!!!


*EDIT*
Alright, after looking further into some of the other threads in this section of the forum, I realize that I am almost certainly in the wrong section of the forum.
Again, I apologize for my n00b-ness.

 

[Jeff_D]

My first advice would be not to buy something if you don't know how to use it in your setup.

What do you hope to use it for? Do you want to use it in front of the Firepod while recording? or do you want to route your already-recorded tracks back out to it for mixing? I think the problem you'll have either way is that your interface will only carry 8 separate channels in either direction, so you could conceivably use it in front for the preamps and eq (probably with little to no benefit), and even that may be difficult depending on what that board has for direct outs or aux or inserts. If you want to route your tracks back out, you"ll probably have combine things to get out through your 8 channel interface... so like maybe 2 channels for drums, 1 for guitar, 1 for ?... etc. Eitherway, not ideal. Are you getting this for free or something? If you need more channels, then buy another firepod.