IO Card, Mixer and Software Choices

[bnoji]

I've been recording for the last few years with a 424MkII but with this new band I'm playing with, I need to move up to something with at least 4 simultaneous tracks. I'm looking for the least expensive way to do it.

Since I already have a PC to use, I want to record to that.

I want to do as little work on the computer as possible though...I just want to use it for the recording. I just want the software to record and playback...I want to do as much of the mixing I can from the console.

I was thinking, I would get a 4 buss mixer and a Delta 44 or 66 and whatever software it requires. Is this reasonable? I don't want to buy an 'all-in-one' digital multitrack because I'm planning on expanding this later...

Any suggestions on other cards, mixers or software?

Thanks,
bnoji

 

[Shana]

Hey there,

I just started computer recording and money was definately an issue. I decided on the Delta 66 and the Beringher MX 1604 A. The mixer is more than I'll need for a long while but I chose it over the MX 802A because it has faders while the smaller one didnt. It looks pretty sleek also
The Delta 66 is a little more expensive than the 44 because of the included Digital ins and outs. Otherwise its exactly the same. And it sounds great. I recorded vocals thru the mixer into the soundcard break out box without any eq tweaking on the mixer and they came out super clear. Much much better than using an all in one digital multitrack. (although computer recording is definately much more tedious-applying fx, editing etc..) I'm using cakewalk 9 which is also pretty cheap although im sure there are other simpler programs for even cheaper.
So basically the sound card and mixerand some cables will run you about 500 bucks which is pretty decent if you already have the computer.
Lots of luck
Shana

 

[AlChuck]

Shana, bnoji,

One point about the Behringer MX1604A over the MX802A is that the former has an extra stereo bus, so you can get four separate analog signals out of it and into the Delta. With the 802A you're stuck with two. It's about the cheapest solution for a four-channel card.

 

[bnoji]

Yeah, I definately need at least 4 individual & simultaneous inputs. We like to jam for around 10-15 minutes at a time, but I need to be able to control the levels of each instrument separately because we never know how it's going to sound ahead of time.