How to use EQ on each channel for Mixer with 10 input PC soundcard??

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dbenoit64

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I have a Soundcraft (EFX8) mixer - had an EMP8 same issue.

facesound.nl/cms.2/producten/395.jpg

I am connecting the mixer to my PC using an M-AUDIO DELTA 1010T.

I am using Sony Acid Pro as my recording software (and PC based mixer of course)

The Mics / Instruments are plugged into the mixer via the XLR inputs and im runing them out of the INS (insert) jacks because thats the only way I know of to run them out individually (to keep each track seperate going into the DELTA 1010T soundcard)

This results in not being able to apply and eq or fx to any of the channels. The funny thing is, to me is that the Gain knob is able to control the volume. So really all the mixer is being used for is as a sort of interface between my instruments and the PC with a gain control.

Is there any way I can connect this set up differently and be able to make use of the mixer??

Thanks,

Dave
 
Most mixer inserts are post gain/ pre EQ. In my humble opinion, it's a blessing in disguise as the path to the recorder is mic/preamp/recorder. If you have a mixer with DIRECT outputs on all channels, then the EQ of the channel strip is in line.
 
Nope on the EFX8, the only 3 plugs are:

XLR
LINE
INS

So youre saying there is no way to use the HIGH, MID, LOWS for each channel and pass this on to the soundcard yet the mixer is amplifying the signal from the mics even though its just passing in through the XLR and out through the INS?

Sorry im very new to this so my knowledge is limited...

-Dave
 
dbenoit64 said:
Nope on the EFX8, the only 3 plugs are:

XLR
LINE
INS

So youre saying there is no way to use the HIGH, MID, LOWS for each channel and pass this on to the soundcard yet the mixer is amplifying the signal from the mics even though its just passing in through the XLR and out through the INS?

Sorry im very new to this so my knowledge is limited...

-Dave
Click to expand...
not without using the mixers OUTS instead of the inserts.
 
okay and since mixers only have 1 output then thats my only option i guess....
 
dbenoit64 said:
okay and since mixers only have 1 output then thats my only option i guess....
Click to expand...
no .... that mixer has at least 2 outs that'll do what you want as it is a stereo mixer.
Plus it has aux sends and sometimes aux sends are post EQ. I'm far too lazy to look more than that so get the manual and study it but you definitely have 2 out puts that are postEQ .... the left and the right.
 
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You've got all sorts of high quality effects in Sony Acid Pro. You really need to make eq decisions in context anyway.
 
Even with direct outs, most (but not all) mixers are fed pre-EQ. Why? Because it's best practice to record everything flat and apply EQ later in the mix, allowing you to change things as you go. Once you've applied EQ before recording you're stuck with it. In any case, Acid Pro has better and more precise EQ than your mixer.
 
Bobbsy said:
Even with direct outs, most (but not all) mixers are fed pre-EQ. Why? Because it's best practice to record everything flat and apply EQ later in the mix, allowing you to change things as you go. Once you've applied EQ before recording you're stuck with it. In any case, Acid Pro has better and more precise EQ than your mixer.
Click to expand...

that becomes a matter of opinion if you don't do everything in the box.
One of the specific reasons I use an analog mixing board is that I can tweak EQ when tracking. I see a lot of people struggle with getting just the right sound when running always flat. A mic will be a touch too harsh are they don't get quite enough 'sparkle' or whatever.
I never have those problems.
And a lot of mics that people hate are quite usable if you're able to tame a problem freq at tracking.
 
I'd agree it's a matter of opinion when you're talking about a top notch console with high quality, precise channel EQ. However, with the entry level cheapies using the most basic 3 band EQ, every tweak of a control is adjusting about a third of the audible frequency response making any sensible adjustment impossible.

What you consider "sparkle" or "harshness" when you're tracking may be totally wrong when considered alongside a whole mix.
 
Bobbsy said:
I'd agree it's a matter of opinion when you're talking about a top notch console with high quality, precise channel EQ. However, with the entry level cheapies using the most basic 3 band EQ, every tweak of a control is adjusting about a third of the audible frequency response making any sensible adjustment impossible.

What you consider "sparkle" or "harshness" when you're tracking may be totally wrong when considered alongside a whole mix.
Click to expand...
nah ....... after 40+ years of recording ..... and a lot of it on 4 or 8 tracks so I had to learn to do good pings ...... I pretty much know how something is gonna sit in the mix spectrum-wise. For me mixing is almost completely about levels ..... I always have things fairly close as far as EQ goes.
And you work with the tools you have. I way disagree that it's not possible to get a good sound with broad EQ controls.
It's all about the sound. If I'm wanting a rhythm guitar concentrated in the top end 'cause I'm going to want it to simply be that 'chink' in a soul tune and I get it to sound that way ..... it's totally irrelevant what controls I use to get it there.
Pinging kinda forced you to learn to predict things because once you did it and then recorded something else there was no going back.
 
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