How to get the mixer to the laptop...?

[Mackodm]

I have purchased a used Berhinger Eurotrack mx602a, and I need it to connect to my computer. I've heard an Mbox is the way to go but they're awfully expensive. Is there any creative ways to do this? I have USB and an 1/8 inch mic jack. Please help!

 

[EddieRay]

Your laptop probably has some commodity soundcard. In addition to the mic imput it should have a 1/8" stereo input. You just need to get from your mixer to the sc's stereo input. On the mixer you can use either the tape out (RCA) or the mains out (1/4" phono). Go to Radio Shack and find what you need to get from one to the other.

 

[Mackodm]

I've got two 1/8'' jacks, one with a mic symbol and one with a headphone symbol.

 

[mikemorgan]

Only a couple ways to do this on the cheap, and both use USB audio, which is good for at least two-tracking, assuming your USB is at least version 2.0.

You need a USB interface of some kind. Your soundcard does not allow for "line in" apparently, and that "mic in" just won't do.

I'd recommend an Alesis USB mixer that can be had new for about $150. Or, you could get something like the M-Audio Audiophile for about $100, cable up, and use the Behringer mixer.

 

[Mackodm]

So I could also just get a better sound-card with a line input then?

 

[mikemorgan]

Pretty hard to upgrade the internal soundcard on a laptop. You'll have to have an external soundcard. USB soundcard interfaces are quite a bit cheaper than the Pcmcia soundcard interfaces I have seen, although Echo makes a couple on the cheap.