Macking/Yamaha Going Digital?

[lorax]

I plan on purchasing either a Mackie 24-8 or a Yamaha O1V board and linking it to my computer (Windows XP Pro). I have recorded on the digital format before, but only on standalone stations. My questions are:

1) How could I record onto my computer (Cakewalk or Steinberg) while using an external board?
2) Would the faders on the computer correspond in realtime to the moving faders on the board?
2) Are there any interface/mixer manufacturers that you'd recommend for computer-based recording?

Thanks for your time.

 

[TexRoadkill]

1- You need the appropriate amount of digital I/O channels. There are a few different interfaces like LightPipe, RBUS, TDIF and others that are used to buss multitrack audio from mixer/interface to computer.

2. Depends on the mixer.

3. Yamaha, Roland, Soundcraft and Mackie all have decent mixers with pros and cons.

What is your budget?

 

[lorax]

For the next 6 months, my budget is $600. By this time next year, I will add $2000 to the budget (the budget does not include getting a mixer or mics, strictly on the computer-related package). Optimally, I would like the mixer and computer to communicate and correspond in realtime.

Using an external mixer isn't mandatory, so if there's a way to eliminate the mixer entirely, that's fine as well (and it'd help not put such a dent on my wallet).

Thanks.