mixer, pre-amp??

[eyewtkas]

ok, i've been reading around here lately and am a bit confused. Is a mixer the same thing as a pre-amp and if not could it be used as one and will I require sucessful results if so?

I'm gonna be getting a new computer soon & I will be dumping the tracks off onto the computer no matter what I buy. So i've been debating lately if I should buy a digital 8 track (roland, tascam, etc) or buy a mixer?

btw, i'm still fairly new. still messin around with a analog 4 track and learning all the time.

 

[jrosenstein]

a mixer is not the same as a preamp, but most mixers have preamps IN them. a preamp amplifies a microphone signal to line level.

if you're mixing down onto the computer from, say, a 4-track cassette recorder, you do not need preamps, as your signal will already be at line level.

these "digital 8-tracks" you mention .... are you looking at just mixers? or multitrack recorders?


EDIT: i looked back at your post, ignore my question. if you want to multitrack, you will need either a stand-alone recorder (like you mentioned) OR you can just record to your computer. if you want to input more than 2 tracks at a time you'll need a soundcard that can handle more inputs. a mixer is not required, but it's a good way to organize your signals, and it gives you a bunch of preamps to use.

 

[eyewtkas]

I got the soundcard issue down, for a upgrade in the cost of the pc I can get a audigy 2 card which should be a good one to learn with.

from your response it seems like im better off going for a multitrack recorder and then possibly adding a mixer w/ preamp possibilities in the near future.

if it's possible I was hoping to take tracks pre-recorded onto a multitrack, dump them off onto the computer and then mix down there.

if anybody has any knowledge, please reply. i'm trying to take in everything I can right now. Thanks for your reply, by the way

 

[jrosenstein]

for the money you'd spend on a standalone digital multitrack, you could just buy an 8-input soundcard and be done with it

 

[deadleafecho]

for the money you'd spend on a standalone digital multitrack, you could just buy an 8-input soundcard and be done with it

Well sorta. you still need software, and a CD RW is a good idea. what we really need to know Eye is more about what you wanna do. Do you want to be able to record away from the computer? How many tracks do you need recorded at one time?
Youre pretty much going to need a preamp no matter what. Even if the people that sell you that sound card or digital recorder tell you otherwise, you need a preamp. A good one. Do some research into different pres. If your going to goto the computer eventualy anyway, and dont need to record remotely i would suggest the M-audio Audiophile 2496 (avoid creative cards). For a stand alone preamp, the Audiobuddy, DMP3 or VTB-1 are all good ones to start with. Mixerwise, Mackie is you best bet, get one in the VLZPRO series for the best pres. If you do get a digital mixer get one with SPDIF IN/OUTS then get a soundcard with the same, this way you avoid converting from digital to analog then back when you hit the computer.....

D

 

[eyewtkas]

thank you for the replies, I really appreciate them

I have most of the software I want now, just nothing to test them with I got a cd-rw on this pc, but will be getting another with my other computer.

I wanna be able to record 2 guitars, bass, and drums at the same time. so I guess that would be 5 tracks at a time. i'm looking to just do decent demo sounding stuff w/ some local bands and my own music until I acquire the knowledge and money to get more into.

If I went ahead & got a Mackie 1402-VLZ PRO (cheapest one I found) would I still need to get a digital mixer, or would I be able to acquire sucessful results with just the mixer feeding everything into the computer?

everything is so expensive that right now it seems like my best bet is getting a digital mixer and just dumping some tracks off it onto the computer seeing as im just a beginner and just learning.

thanks again, looking foward to learning more

 

[deadleafecho]

Well for the best quality for that pricepoint, i would think the mackie into a soundcard would be the best deal. How are you micing drums? if your going to do 5 tracks you might as well make it 8 max, so you can do 2 overheads for drums and a snare and kick mic, thats 4 plus 2 guitars and bass =7 tracks. but do you really NEED to record the guitars and bass at the same time as drums? I would hope not, and if not you could go down to like a 4 input card like the M-audio delta 44 (4ins 4 outs) and a 1202 vlz pro to save ya money. I cant stress enough how inadquate the pres are on most digital workstations. Which means youd have to buy 4-8 mic pres!......