How do i hook this mixer up to a computer?

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sgtpeppers472

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i just bought a Behringer Eurorack MX2004A Mixer on ebay and i have Cad 7 peice mic set for mics (sorry i i can't post links, i have to have 5 posts)

I also have sony acid 7 and audacity.

Thanks for any help, i'm a COMPLETE noob at this
 
What do you have for inputs on your computer? You probably need an interface, firewire or USB, to get the best sound from the mixer into the computer.
 
i have i think it's a 1/8 L and R red and white audio imputs, usb, composite video, S video, 1 digital audio imput, etc

Windows XP
 
You'll need an audio interface. If you only have USB ports, then it will have to be a USB audio interface. The interface will convert the analog signals to digital data used by your computer. Your onboard sound card can do the job, but not very well.

Check these out:

http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces/low2high

Once you find one you like, connect your mixer using the Tape In and Tape Out jacks.

have fun.
 
That would work for a single channel. You need something like the M-Audio USB Fast Track with two XLR or Line Lvl inputs.
Maybe look into buying a CD recorder and then rip your tracks to your DAW, I dont think that would be cheaper, I just did a quick search on a few sites and didnt find much. If the mixer isnt going to be to far from the computer you could always go Master L&R line-out(RCA or 1/4) to 1/8 mini line-in on your computer. BUT you will most likely run into a lot of noise.

Hope this helps a bit. BTW if you have some cash and you want to go digital path, go with Digidesign or Presonus, something else the other than M-audio I just used that as an example.

-Mike
 
mjdx88 said:
That would work for a single channel. You need something like the M-Audio USB Fast Track with two XLR or Line Lvl inputs.
Maybe look into buying a CD recorder and then rip your tracks to your DAW, I dont think that would be cheaper, I just did a quick search on a few sites and didnt find much. If the mixer isnt going to be to far from the computer you could always go Master L&R line-out(RCA or 1/4) to 1/8 mini line-in on your computer. BUT you will most likely run into a lot of noise.

Hope this helps a bit. BTW if you have some cash and you want to go digital path, go with Digidesign or Presonus, something else the other than M-audio I just used that as an example.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Okay thanks, I saw PreSonus AudioBox USB for $149.99 and that's in my budget i guess, but why do i need mic/insturment inputs if i already have a mixer? and the mixer won't be to far from my computer maybe 10 ten feet?
 
sgtpeppers472 said:
Okay thanks, I saw PreSonus AudioBox USB for $149.99 and that's in my budget i guess, but why do i need mic/insturment inputs if i already have a mixer? and the mixer won't be to far from my computer maybe 10 ten feet?
Click to expand...

This is because the two XLR/Line inputs will be converted from analog to digital. Also im assuming on your mixer you have 2 balanced xlr outputs. This will help keep any noise/hum/buzz out of your mix
 
The Audiobox is only a 2-channel interface, meaning you'll only be able to record the stereo mix from your mixer. I would recommend scrapping the mixer and looking for an interface with more inputs and builtin preamps. If you sold the mixer it should bring an 8-channel interface more in budget.
 
What they are sayig, for clarity:
1) Your mixer mixes 8 channels down to a stereo (2 channel) audio signal. To record this on the computer, you need an interface that converts the audio signal to digital (that's the presonus, or other units).
2) If you record from your mixer to the interface to the computer, you will have two mixed (stereo) channels at a time - so whatever you have set on the mixer for up to 8 inputs, will now be mixed together unchangeable in relation to the original inputs.
Of course you can use the mixer to input two inputs to the separate left and right outputs, thne to the interface and the computer - but why would you need the mixer then?
 
My suggestion.

Sell the mixer. Buy a used 8 channel audio interface to record up to 8 seperate tracks. I bought my second Presonus Firepod used for $200 off of ebay. Although...it's not USB. Firewire cards are not that expensive ($20-$40) if your computer doesn't have firewire.
 
dastrick said:
Sell the mixer. Buy a used 8 channel audio interface to record up to 8 seperate tracks. I bought my second Presonus Firepod used for $200 off of ebay. Although...it's not USB. Firewire cards are not that expensive ($20-$40) if your computer doesn't have firewire.
Click to expand...


okay say i get something like this: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=184131X

I plug in RCA cables to the red and white in and out parts to the mixer, then to my computer? But what about the firewire 1 & 2 imputs?
 
With the Firepod, you would not be using the mixer. But before you go off and buy anything, you haven't said exactly what you want to do.

Never mind the gear right now.... what exactly do you want to record??? Just yourself, vocal and acoustic??? Are you recording your band?? Do you want to set up a business and record many bands??
 
Chili said:
With the Firepod, you would not be using the mixer. But before you go off and buy anything, you haven't said exactly what you want to do.

Never mind the gear right now.... what exactly do you want to record??? Just yourself, vocal and acoustic??? Are you recording your band?? Do you want to set up a business and record many bands??
Click to expand...


Yeah, i meant with out the mixer when i was talking about the firepod. I want to record mostly myself/band. Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, Acoustic drums maybe electric keyboard.

also i was looking at the lexicon omega and it seems alright, but the reviews are kinda 'sketchy', overheating and such. Also only 2 mic inputs
 
sgtpeppers472 said:
Yeah, i meant with out the mixer when i was talking about the firepod. I want to record mostly myself/band. Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, Acoustic drums maybe electric keyboard.

also i was looking at the lexicon omega and it seems alright, but the reviews are kinda 'sketchy', overheating and such. Also only 2 mic inputs
Click to expand...

Okay... The Firepod gives 8 mic pre's, 2 of which can be Instrument In's. This should work well for recording your band, maybe more than you need for recording just yourself... but you have options.

You don't need to worry about the RCA red and white, Left and Right, Tape In's or Tape Outs if you're not using the mixer.

The firewire can handle the bandwidth for 8 channels simultaneously. USB would choke. You did not mention any firewire ports on your computer in your previous posts, so you'll have to get one. As Dastrick said, they're pretty cheap.

Be sure to use teh search functions.... there's lots o' answers here already.

Good luck and have fun,
 
yeah i tryed to see if there was anything on the lexicon, but not much i didn't already know. So all i need is 2 firewire cables if i use the fireport? and my computer does not have any ports so i'll have to buy that to

Nevermind, i looked and i see i have 2 firewire ports. one in front and one in back. yay so all i need is cables and a firepod?
 
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sgtpeppers472 said:
yeah i tryed to see if there was anything on the lexicon, but not much i didn't already know. So all i need is 2 firewire cables if i use the fireport? and my computer does not have any ports so i'll have to buy that to

Nevermind, i looked and i see i have 2 firewire ports. one in front and one in back. yay so all i need is cables and a firepod?
Click to expand...

You only need one firewire cable, not two.
 
why do they have 2 imputs then on the firepod? so one firepod cable going to my computer from the firepod?
 
sorry for all the stupid questions, i looked on presonus website and found the Manuel. My only other question is, I saw the first 2 mic inputs are "Instrument" inputs, do these connect via 1/4 normal instrument cord? like one you would plug into your amp?
 
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