mixer or control surface?

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someguy211

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Ok this question has probably been asked a few times, but I am at work so I don't have much time to search but I was hoping you all could help me out

I am currently in the process of build my home recording studio...not big though, it's gonna kind of be in my room on a desk..so small affordable stuff is what i am looking for..

here is my question:

I am running mainly Reason and Calkwalk Sonar, I do the majority of my composing in Reason and I do vocal recording and song arragment, mixing and mastering in Sonar...I like using analog mixers and I am more used to the general work flow of having a physical mixer near by, now the question is, taking a low budget into account, should I get a regular analog mizer and plug it into my computer or should I look into a control surface, I know surfaces cost more, but are there any out there that are affordable and work with the programs I use?

any help is awesome!
 
Depends what you consider affordable. Do you have a budget?

I am using a Peavey Studiomix at the moment, works fine with Sonar (don't know about Reason) - cost about $300, three or four years ago. I'd like to upgrade, either to the Mackie MCU with an expander (about $1700) or more likely to the more affordable Tascam US2400 ($800). Both surfaces are advertised to work fine with Sonar.
 
My overall budget for the studio is going to be about $3000. that includes, mics, mixer, software, cables, more RAM, and some acoustic paneling

thanks for the feedback so far


oh another question...If I get a control surface, will i still need a mixer, or a preamp, to plug my mics into?

I obviously haven't been doing this for very long, at least digitally....

please help...

:D
 
With a $3000 budget for everything, I think maybe you're a bit premature to worry about a control surface. I believe there are a few control surfaces with built in preamps, but the ones I've seen lately would eat up an awful big chunk of your budget. Likewise, the Mackie MCU and Tascam units I mentioned would eat up a large percentage of your budget, and they don't do anything to help your signal chain at all. They are cool and add a convenience factor, but they're not a necessity for a good recording. Take your 3000 and make sure you have good monitors, a decent interface, pres and mics, a good software package, and the best room treatment you can afford within your budget. Worry about the control surface later.
 
I have never used a Controll Surface and didn"t even know what one was till now.....

The way I have it set up is I have a "BST Lab36 8ch Mixer" that connects to Channels 1 and 2 to my Delta 44 (Left and Right Stereo) and I have my drums Miced and Connected to the Mixer and the Levels are Set Perfectly which takes some Trial and error, and I have the Bass and Guitar Miced and going into Channels 3 and 4 in my Delta 44 so I can record Bass Drums and Guitar Live and then adjust the Levels and Mix within my Recording software (Mackie Traction 2.1).....

The Mixer was Only $60 US New on e-Bay (It"s not a Bad Mixer either) and the Delta 44 was $200 Canadian and it lets me record from 10 seperate Sources at the same Time (8 on mixer and 2 more on the Delta 44) with less than $300 in Hardware (not counting Mics/Cables/Instruments/Software/PC ect) so I"m sure you could do the same without breaking the Bank.....

Like you could Get a Delta 44 or an EMU 0404 and a Cheap Behringer 8-12 Channel Mixer for well under $400 and the Interface will come with some Basic Recording software Like Ableton Live (Didn"t like it).....

if you Find you need More Inputs that you can Controll Via Software (As opposed to on the Mixer) you can allways Install another Delta 44 as you can use Multiple M-audio cards at the Same time.....

Well Just My 2 cents on Building a Cheap studio....

Cheers
 
I'm with JeffLancaster

A control surface is a luxury. I have one, and a Mackie at that, but it's more important to have a device where you can effectively and flexibly route the signal to where you want it. Start with the mics, preamps, interface device and possibly a mixer, get comfortable with all that and learn to get the results you want with it, and then start adding bells and whistles.
 
ahh I see,

that's actually answers I giant chunk of my questions about setting up a recording studio...

thank you guys a lot.

I am glad I found this BB, it's the poo!

(I am guessing no cussing is allowed, so poo is the word I will use)
 
someguy211 said:
ahh I see,

that's actually answers I giant chunk of my questions about setting up a recording studio...

thank you guys a lot.

I am glad I found this BB, it's the poo!

(I am guessing no cussing is allowed, so poo is the word I will use)
Click to expand...
Nah, as far as i know you can shit and fuck as much as you wish
 
In fact, i believe that shitting and fucking are two major parts of most people lives, close seconds after recording.
So i've heard anyway.
 
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