Mixer - PC Setup

  • Thread starter Thread starter DeadlySurfer
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DeadlySurfer

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Hey,

So I have a quick question which is most likely quite easy to resolve.

I'm looking at buying a mixer, possibly the Mackie 1402 VLZ3, which I'd connect to my PC by using the ALT 3-4 out.

On "TweakHeadz" it says "The soundcard line out connects to any two available line inputs. The can be aux returns, tape ins, or channel line inputs (preferred). "

Does that mean that the interface will take up two of my channels, so I will have 12 channels left? Or if I can use Aux Returns does that mean I can still use the 6 Mic/line inputs while being connected to the PC?

As I said, this is probably quite a simple question, but I'm relatively new to this and would appriciate some help, thanks.
 
It means that you will be sending a stereo pair into the computer.
You can mix all the other channel down into those.
You will NOT be able to send all the tracks as separate channels that way.
(you would need a multi-channel soundcard - one channel for each track- to do that)

Hopefully you've upgraded your computer soundcard anyway - that stock onboard only has 40cents worth of chips, horrible latency drivers and is a poor choice to record to.
 
TimOBrien said:
It means that you will be sending a stereo pair into the computer.
You can mix all the other channel down into those.
You will NOT be able to send all the tracks as separate channels that way.
(you would need a multi-channel soundcard - one channel for each track- to do that)

Hopefully you've upgraded your computer soundcard anyway - that stock onboard only has 40cents worth of chips, horrible latency drivers and is a poor choice to record to.
Click to expand...

Ah right.
So pretty much I have to get the levels etc perfect on the mixer, otherwise I'm screwed because it's all taken to the stero pari, which I assume is one track in software?

And I'm looking to buy a new soundcard, my one at the moment is more for gaming/movies etc rather than music production.
 
Or you can buy mixers that act as an audio interface. So forget your sound card and you just plug the mixer in via firewire of USB.
 
I would second the recommendation of a mixer with firewire or USB.

I own a Phonic Helix Universal. I highly recommend it. Being able to multi track will save you so much hassle starting out.

Racherik
 
Ah, I've seen these but always thought that they were considered worse than the mixer - soundcard way.

I'll defo check them all out, and read Tweak alot more, thanks guys.
 
I like having a mixer/interface. I got a phonic helix 18 that's in the shop now.. Luckily it was still under warranty when it blew (after 2.5 years). If it wasn't I woulda replaced it with a mackie 1620i, that's a sweeeeet device! You have a lot more control over your channels and monitoring, what you're hearing while you're tracking, etc.
 
From a quick look, they seem pretty empensive for me (In the UK), although that being said is the interface part of similar quality to a PCI interface for example? If so they're about the same money for value.
 
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