hard decision on my setup...

[A1A2]

I hate it when I feel that I have made a simple method complicated. Here is my struggle:
Just got myself more involved in PC recording, and bought a soundcard (Audiophile 2496) and a Mixer (Behringer MX2004A). I pretty much work on recording stuff on my own, and even with a band, recording seperately is always easier for us.

Situation: I find myself not touching the mixer much, it sure helps me to organize cables and combine tracks when I record more than 2 tracks at a time (Audiophile only has 2 in's)

Question now is: Do I even need my mixer?

I think I can easily do exactually what I am doing right now without the mixer+soundcard and get a MOTU 828 or Digi 001 to replace my soundcard and mixer.

*For those of you who have a mixer on your desktop, can you please tell me why you have a mixer sitting on your desktop, and what you do with it?
I figure the mixer+soundcard I have cost about the same as a used 828 on eBay. So, why not let the mighty "MOTU" handle 2 not-so-respected gears' jobs. It just seems more reliable and simplier.
Please, please let me know what you all think. This has been irritating for me to think about every day.
Thanks
AL

 

[Meshuggah]

You can sell the mixer and buy one of M-Audio's mic-pres.....

 

[j]

sounds like you want the Omni Studio package, half the price of the Digi, and probably the MOTU as well.

 

[struberg]

i recently kicked off my old studiomaster 20-8-2 mixer and purchased a creamware A16 16 channel 24/96 i/o box and feel very comfortable with it.
i recommend that u use 2 monitors via a dualhead graphic card since else u will quickly run out of control with all your windows

 

[A1A2]

Dualhead?

Struberg,
Can you please explain a little more about what you said, "2 monitors via a dualhead graphic card"
I am now an expert at PC, so....
Thanks for all your replies by the way

 

[struberg]

That's a graphic card with 2 out's for connecting 2 monitors. You can configure Windows or your Mac that they appear like one big Monitor to your applications.
If u only have 1 monitor the little space on your screen will soon get borring .
You may look 4 the Matrox G450, G550 and some of the ATI Radeon also can handle 2 monitors.

 

[Gidge]

seems like you are out ~$450 and cant even do what you want (record more than 2 tracks at a time)...the Audiophile is a great sounding card, but limited....ok, the 8 preamps on the Behringer are nice but theyarent that greatof preamps.....

for $379 you could get the Delta 1010lt which is a 10 in/10 out card....it comes with 2 preamps.....

for each additional 2 preamps you need, you can get a Midiman Audio Buddy ($79)......

or if you want all 8 inputs and alot of the flexibility of the mixer (channel inserts,monitor outs) the Aardvark Q10 is $750....Bayview even throws in a $200 condenser mic for free....