Got the mics, need a mixer and perhaps a soundcard?

[Treblinka]

Complete n00b at home recording. I have a small/medium sized room, so little acoustics to play around with. I have the mics (7 in total, all with XLR cables) which i know go where around the kit (2 overheads, 1 bass, 1 snare, 3 tom mics) and i've now decided to record my drums and send them to my lead guitarist who is going to mix it all up at his. The only problem is i have no idea as to how to make it all work.

I have a suitable PC, but it only has an on-board nVidia Soundstorm processor. So firstly, do i have to get something with more inputs as i've heard this can still be done with the line-in's the motherboard has? (line-in, mic-in, etc)

Secondly, what mixer will i need to record each mic (all in one sound or spearately???) straight into the computer? I've looked at the Yamaha MG 16/4 as it has 10 XLR pre-amp sockets. but don't know much about what else is available and the benefits of spending more as i'm guessing this is a low-cost solution compared to other alternatives.

Basically i want to record my drums onto my computer with around £150 to spend on a mixer and a soundcard if the mixer can't use the given on-board sound i have.

As it is my first post, i appreciate any help and further knowledge i'd need in making the right purchase and i hope i can further contribute to the forums in the forseeable future.

 

[complexprocess]

Any mixer with a line out can be used to record on your computer's current soundcard, given the proper cable and/or adapters. You'll have to do a bunch of test tracks to get the levels set right, since you can only record the final, stereo output. The sound won't be great, but it's possible that it will at least sound good.

A good, free software package to use for recording would be Audacity. It does what you'll need it to and doesn't cost anything.

M-Audio has some soundcards within your budget that have enough inputs for your needs, if you want to take the time to learn to do computer recording. The Delta 1010 might work for you.

 

[Kryptik]

A Presonus Firepod is about $600USD (don't know about euros or lbs) and comes with software.

The mixer you're looking at is $376 and the Delta 1010 is $200 for a total of $576.

The firepod comes is only going to cost you $25 more than what you're looking at.

If you can get away with only using four mics, you could get a Delta 4040 for $150 and an MG102 for $100. You need the software though. I think this may still be a bit above your budget, but it's about the cheapest I could get it down to for now.

 

[sirslurpee]

I have the firepod and I am pretty happy with it. It has 8 inputs which you can record all 8 at a time. Software is great (Cubase LE) and you can record at 24bits. It has individual gain knobs for each input which is XLR or 1/4" (you can use either for the same input) and it has phantom power on it. All you need is a computer with a firewire port. I am running it on a 700mhz amd athlon with I believe 256mb ram and windows XP. It works just fine even recording all 8 inputs at once. Like Kryptik said, it's around 600 US. Definately worth the money. It's rack mountable too!

 

[Treblinka]

Great thanks. I actually got the Yamaha MG16/4 in the end for only £70! That was before seeing your posts, so i weren't going against the grain so to speak.

Anyway i'm looking at the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 so i can use an RCA > RCA cable because at the moment i'm only using an RCA to MIC input on my onboard Soundstorm. Is that worthwhile or should i be looking at a better soundcard and different connections?

 

[Tim Brown]

Great thanks. I actually got the Yamaha MG16/4 in the end for only £70! That was before seeing your posts, so i weren't going against the grain so to speak.

Anyway i'm looking at the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 so i can use an RCA > RCA cable because at the moment i'm only using an RCA to MIC input on my onboard Soundstorm. Is that worthwhile or should i be looking at a better soundcard and different connections?

Well, Are you trying to record anything more than a demo?

The problem is that the digital converters on the built in soundcard are nowhere near the quality that will be in even a semi-professional converter.

Also, when using the mixer, you would need to go into the LINE IN, not the MIC IN of the onboard soundcard. That soundcard is only going to let you record 2 channels at once, so you'l either have to mix the entire kit and send him a stereo drumtrack, or perhaps tryto play each part individually to a click track.

If you can afford to go with a better grade recording soundcard - I would.

The Firepod would be the ideal model, but if you don't want to spend that much, I can understand.

What kind of mic's do you have, because that may dictate how much you want to spend on a soundcard/converter at the moment, although personally, I've found you are better off saving your money and buying a better unit rather than skimping and buying a smaller unit because you can get it faster. At some point, you'll want to be able to record 8 (or more) separate mics to as many different channels (i.e., 8 channels to 8 tracks played live.)


Tim

 

[Treblinka]

Man, i wish i could afford the Firepod or Aleisis 16 Firewire, but unfortunately that's well out of my limit as a mere student heavily in debt. I've got the cheap Shure PG set of six speakers, on the cheap so i'm not expecting anything above a beginner standard with an SM-57 also on my snare. Cymbals (12 or so, i use around 8 at a time) come in the form of Paiste RUDE, Innovations, 2002's, a Pearl EX with 5 toms and a rather tasty Iron Cobra i'm getting to grips with. My mic mounting is arranged as stated below.

Overhead (Right) PG81
Bass (Inside) PG52
Overhead (Left) Stand PG81
Snare / Hi-Hat Stand SM57
10" / 12" Tom Mount PG56
12" / 13" Tom Mount PG56
16" / 18" Floor Stand PG56

Again, i've had to cap myself on the quality of my mics, so forgive my ignorance as i know i should've bought quality mics (especially on how much my set are slated within reason ), it's just the set was at a steal as a student.

http://www.myspace.com/andtheneverybodydied

Anyway that's my bands stuff and what i'm looking to re-create, nothing too spectacular, demo standard at best. If i'm going to be using the Line-in with my current setup, i guess i'd need to buy a separate card for my PC speakers. Therefore the 2496 card looks mandatory at this stage.