Mixer for drums to computer. Suggestions?

[threeeyes]

My drummer friend in Florida wants to jam over the internet using eJammimg, that software application that lets you play live with others over the internet. He's a neophyte with DAW based recording though. (I'm not much better). Right now he just wants to know what would be a decent 8 channel mixer he can play his drums through to his laptop. (Yes, I know, 8 channels could prove limiting). This is more about jamming and long distance demo recording at this time. I don't think really high quality is the point right now.

That said, he doesn't want to spend a lot of dough so he has his eye on this puppy. I think it could work and it has a USB connector which may or may not be useful. He'll be able to connect 8 mics at once but there are only 4 XLR inputs.

Behringer XENYX 1204 Mixer (Details at link) $129.99

I'm thinking about suggesting this one below to him. If I were him I'd rather have a mixer with 8 dedicated XLR inputs or the 12 channel version of this model. But it costs quite a bit more.

Soundcraft EPM8 8-Channel Multi-Format Mixer $309.00 (at Musician's Friend but I saw it priced lower at other sites.)

After seeing this thread, I wonder if he just needs an interface? That way he's converting analog to digital before it even reaches the computer and maybe he won't have to get a new sound card in case his isn't that great to begin with. He'll have to mix with software though. The eJamming software should have a mixer but who knows? I haven't signed up with them yet.

Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface $299.95

PreSonus FireStudio 2626 $599.97 (ouch!)

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[ez_willis]

i use one of these. it's an older mixer but has always ben reliable.

the latency will screw things up for you guys. jamming in real time isn't quite there yet as far as i can tell

 

[captbz13]

I have the tascam 1641. I was able to record 9 drum mics at the same time with a latency of 1.1ms. So far I am very happy with it. Also comes with Cubase LE.

 

[TheChikenMaster]

get a firebox and use one channel for oh and the other for the kick. A very simple setup. For your needs this would seem adequite.

 

[saads]

I have the tascam 1641. I was able to record 9 drum mics at the same time with a latency of 1.1ms. So far I am very happy with it. Also comes with Cubase LE.

I plan on getting the 1641 for recording drums. How's your experience with it been? What do you like/dislike about it?

 

[captbz13]

I plan on getting the 1641 for recording drums. How's your experience with it been? What do you like/dislike about it?

So far I have not had any major issues. I have it working with a windows 7 x64 machine and aside from some up front intalling issues (windows 7 specific drivers not released yet) it has been very easy to use. I have tracked all 9 mics while monitoring 3 previously recorded tracks without an issue.
The only hiccup I had was having to twice reset the unit to input audio. I do not know if this is a software issue with Sonar or hardware with the Tascam.

I cannot speak for the quality of the preamps since I am not a professional, but the recordings sound pretty good to me.