Interface or Mixer? help decide

  • Thread starter Thread starter flextone
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flextone

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OK, so i`m in the market for a new interface, and i don`t know if i`ll be better off buying a card with 8 I/O (like an rme fireface 400) or get a 2 or 4 I/O (firebox?) and a decent 16 channel mixer like an old mackie. i mostly intend to record synths and samplers and i`m afraid that pretty fast my 8 I/O will run out and i`ll have to get one of those preamps that you connect to the audio interface via adat or firewire, so why not get a mixer and a card with less I/O to begin with?

what are your thoughts?
 
If you get a mixer and a 4 I/O interface, realistically your still stuck with only 4 channels....unless you dont mind grouping 3-4 channels into one bus, and then routing that through the interface. Then you cant edit every single track on its own though.
I think your best of getting the Alesis 16-channel Firewire mixer. It'll cost ya the same as an interface/mixer, it has 16 channels and its Firewire so you can record 16 channels simultaneously.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...6-FireWire-16Channel-Analog-Mixer-?sku=630169


Mike
 
But i can record each instrument on it`s own to different tracks, it might take a little more time but it`s not a big deal. any more thoughts? suggestions?
 
flextone said:
But i can record each instrument on it`s own to different tracks, it might take a little more time but it`s not a big deal. any more thoughts? suggestions?
Click to expand...
If you record one instrument at the time, what do you need a 16 channel mixer for then?
 
This Is Perfect

I was going to start a new thread,asking about the Alesis MasterControl, but this one seems to fit fine for now. I am looking to upgrade my mix downs(they sound pretty thin now)basically i was wondering if this has good d/a a/d converters. I was looking in the "Best Audio Interface" post and now think the RME Multiface might be the best option. I only record samples, and hardware synths, never more than 4 tracks at a time,wondering if this is overkill, or just right. I know it is more expensive than many soundcards, but $900 U.S. isn't bad if its converters are as good as they say.
Please let me know if this would be the best way or another soundcard with less i/o but great converters.
 
christian, i need a mixer so everything can be connected and i dont need to connect and disconnect equipment all the time, and that way i can edit each instrument on it`s own, i`m sure Nightfire understands. lenoh, may i suggest a tube preamp?
 
well. the eq and volumr faders will come in handy of course, but i don`t intend to do a final mix on such a small desk (thats what neves are for)
 
flextone said:
well. the eq and volumr faders will come in handy of course, but i don`t intend to do a final mix on such a small desk (thats what neves are for)
Click to expand...

Not if you are using the small mixer for a patchbay, it will actually hurt instead.

Also, if you can afford to/know how to/ mix on Neve, you wouldnt be asking about using a mackie as mic pre's
 
what`s your problem man? i don`t mix on neves, i actually mix in a studio that has an old ssl, yeah it costs a lot but it doesn`t take me that long as i know what i`m doing and what i want from the mix. i`m just asking about my home setup, should i go with the fireface400 or a less expensive card with less I/O and a small mixer. i don`t mix at home, just the pre-masters.
 
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