mixer help

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curiousgeorge

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Is it possible to set up a mixer for live as well as recording @ the same time?
 
Absolutely but how feasible it is in reality depends on the facilities of the mixer. It's much more doable with a big full function mixer than with some of the basic cheapies on the market.

We'd need a lot more specifics to answer in more detail.
 
the mixer i have is a alto l-6 its a 6 channel mixer
 
I don't know that one...but it'll either need to have direct outs on each channel (if you want to multitrack) or spare pre fade auxes to do a dedicated stereo mix.

It is sometimes possible to just record the live mix--but that rarely works well since the live mix isn't very suitable for recording since instruments that are loud in the live situation are turned down in the mix and the quiet stuff is turned up too loud for the recording...if you see what I mean.
 
It is sometimes possible to just record the live mix--but that rarely works well since the live mix isn't very suitable for recording since instruments that are loud in the live situation are turned down in the mix and the quiet stuff is turned up too loud for the recording...if you see what I mean.

This is one of the fundamental truths of live recording. One way to handle it is to record a room mic on another track (or two for stereo) and mix them later. The mic gets all the stuff the board feed lacks, along with the sound of the room (which can be a good or bad thing), and the board feed gets a clear sound from the vocals and anything without its own amp. You'll need to time align the board feed to the mic for best results.
 
I had my Midas Venice 320 modified to have the direct outs be post-gain, post insert, pre-fader, pre-EQ - they were originally post fader. Once I have my gain structure for the live mix, I connect the direct outs to an Alesis HD24. The faders on the mixing board only affect the live mix, not the post-gain direct out levels that go to the Alesis. The post insert allows me to have gentle compression and gaiting - from my 4 dbx 166xls'(kick,snare,rack,tom,hat,bass) recorded.

I can literally track the performance and remix later. Anything that doesn't quite work, - lead fills, back-up vocals - missed parts - can later be tracked to the rough mix and blended back in. The remixing in the box, also allows me use of any plug-in I have. If you have a band that plays tight, it's an incredible tool to be able to capture a live performance. Sometimes, I'll put up my Zoom H4n at the FOH to capture the room, and blend that in with the tracking.
 
I have an HD24 and do something like what michaelst does, except I split the signal from the insert sends to feed the recorder. Since I only have 16 inputs on the board I use 4 of the remaining 8 inputs to capture the board mix and a room mic.
 
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