Mixer necessary/recommended?

[sax_fan]

I'm a woodwind player -- mostly sax -- and am getting into recording on a pc. I've got an audigy soundcard in my computer which I imagine I will replace at some point. I also have a condensor mic that I would like to use to record my horns. At the moment, because I don't know anything, I want to try to keep cost down and want to see how much I get into this. It will likely just be me recording myself with some midi tracks (I also have a midi keyboard controller and am currently using a version of Power Tracks Pro I had).

I was wondering what the opinions here are about whether I would be better off buying an inexpensive mixer (say, a yamaha for around $100) or a mic prepamp (maybe an audio buddy?).

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[AlChuck]

At that price range you can probably get a decent preamp for a little less than you can get a decent mixer. But the difference shouldn't be that huge. I use a cheap Behringer mixer and I also have a cheap ART Tube MP, and they are both very acceptable. The advantage of the mixer is that it has many other uses, for signal routing, etc.

 

[sax_fan]

Can anyone recommend a decent mic preamp or starter mixer with decent preamps for recording a saxophone? I would like to stay under $200 (and under $100 if possible) as I am just getting started with this and given that I am currently using an audigy 2 sound card, it doesn't seem to make sense to get something really expensive.

Thanks.

 

[Rokket]

Can anyone recommend a decent mic preamp or starter mixer with decent preamps for recording a saxophone? I would like to stay under $200 (and under $100 if possible) as I am just getting started with this and given that I am currently using an audigy 2 sound card, it doesn't seem to make sense to get something really expensive.

Thanks.

Look here for starters:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search?c=4639

There are lots to choose from.

 

[Harlequin Man]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/484020/
Theres the ART ones like he was talking about...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/631239/

Behringer mixers... I believe they are made by makie with cheaper componets...

 

[scrubs]

Can anyone recommend a decent mic preamp or starter mixer with decent preamps for recording a saxophone? I would like to stay under $200 (and under $100 if possible) as I am just getting started with this and given that I am currently using an audigy 2 sound card, it doesn't seem to make sense to get something really expensive.

Thanks.

look into the Rane MS-1B and the Studio Projects VTB-1. Both are affordable single channel preamps that would work well for what you are doing.

 

[sax_fan]

Thanks all. I will look into each of your suggestions.