Keyboards staight into soundcard or through mixer?

[kylla]

Hi all,

Well I just tried to purchase a Delta 44 but here in Australia it seems supply is low so I might have to wait until Nov 26.. anyway, that aside...

I have a Triton and an MC-505 and I was wondering which of these setups is more sensible/better quality:

1) Triton and MC-505 straight into Delta 44 soundcard (all 4 inputs)
2) Both into the mixer then the mixer into a soundcard (eg: such as an Audiophile with 2 inputs that I can get now)

I really liked the Delta because of the 4 inputs but now methinks maybe a mixer might be better?

Your thoughts/experiences/advice greatly appreciated!!

 

[Stealthtech]

A mixer will be a better choice...I believe. Gives you more control such as phantom power for mics. more inputs, EQ, Trim, Panning and busses with stereo outputs.

 

[kylla]

Interesting.

Surely though I would do all my EQ etc whilst masting (using Wavelab on the PC)?

So I guess the major benefit is more inputs for future expansion and mic preamps. I suppose it would be handy for when I start playing live to

Is there any issue with loss of quality going via the mixer to a 24-bit soundcard? Or is it negligable?

I was looking at a fairly inexpensive BEHRINGER mixer..
http://www.allans.com.au/Products.asp?prod=MX802A

Any experience/knowledge of these?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Stealthtech]

Yes you can do your EQ, etc.. within your software. I guess the best side of it is more inputs and mic pre's. I have a Tascam M-01 which is basically like the Berr. your looking at and is plenty enough for the job. I normally track one at a time and only use my mixer for mic's. But if Im recording with friends in a live situation, the mixer is great for this. I can tie in 4 mics and multiple instruments.

 

[shackrock]

i have the mx802a and the delta44.

I use the mx802a for its pre-amps mainly, and perhaps a LITTLE bit of EQ. I get 2 tracks at once out of that (pan 1 mic hard left, 1 mic hard right - then attatch the Left mainout into hte delta (1 input) and the Right mainout into the delta (2nd input)). get it? ha.

then, i use another mixer (actually a 4track) for the other 2 mics (if i need to do 4 mics in at once).

so what i'm saying is that you CANT use all 4 mic preamps on the mx802a and expect to get 4 independant tracks with your delta come up on your computer - only 2.

and dont forget, i'm talking mono here.

the preamps are nothing special on that mixer, remember that!

 

[webstop]

I have a synth and two modules plugged directly into the Delta souncard. I can record one synth at a time or all three at once, each on its own pair of channels.
My philosophy is: shorter the signal path is, the better.
If you are like me have nothing to mix, why would you want a mixer on the signal path?
If you need mics, its another story, and in this case mixer is inevitable.
As far as computer recording goes, if you are using a multitracker, like Cubase or Nuendo, then you can mix all your tracks on the computer.
If you are using something like Wavelab, which can record only one stereo channel, then all your tracks must be mixed before the signal goes into computer.

p.s. My card is Delta 1010 and it has 8 ins.