Mixer question

[shoe1]

I'm looking into getting this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...53496723/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/631235/

simply becuase i need something to mic drums with more than one mic. so if i we're to get this, i could hook 4 mics into the XLR inputs. But to record, how would i get this to the computer, and into Cakewalk? Assuming theres an output jack, i'd plug a cable (what kind of cable) into that and through the microphone/line in jack on my computer, and it will record in Cakewalk through 4 tracks. Correct? thanks

-Shoe

 

[Adam P]

You can run cables from the insert points on the XLR channels into inputs on your soundcard. You can't do more than two channels simultaneously with your standard soundcard, however (see my post in this thread). To do four independent tracks simultaneously, you need a soundcard that supports multiple inputs.

 

[Scottgman]

Think of each XLR input on the mixer as a separate preamp (that's what they are). Some mixers have a direct out for each mic preamp. With the direct outs, you can send each preamp to a separate track in Cakewalk if you have a soundcard with multiple inputs.

If you don't have a soundcard with multiple inputs, you could still record the drums. You would send the drum mix to your single-input soundcard through the tape outputs on the mixer. That would require an RCA to 1/8" stereo cable. Of course, then you wouldn't have much control over the drums when you go to mix down the song.

Recording drums can get expensive. If you want any kind of control over the drums when you mix the song, you really want a separate track for each mic on the drum kit. Which means a separate preamp for each mic and a soundcard with enough inputs for each mic.

Good luck!

 

[shoe1]

Think of each XLR input on the mixer as a separate preamp (that's what they are). Some mixers have a direct out for each mic preamp. With the direct outs, you can send each preamp to a separate track in Cakewalk if you have a soundcard with multiple inputs.

If you don't have a soundcard with multiple inputs, you could still record the drums. You would send the drum mix to your single-input soundcard through the tape outputs on the mixer. That would require an RCA to 1/8" stereo cable. Of course, then you wouldn't have much control over the drums when you go to mix down the song.

Recording drums can get expensive. If you want any kind of control over the drums when you mix the song, you really want a separate track for each mic on the drum kit. Which means a separate preamp for each mic and a soundcard with enough inputs for each mic.

Good luck!

o ok, so the best i could do is record the drums with two mics? rats... But about that method you talked about, i got a quiestion about the cables. To go from the mixer to the computer, using the line out or the tape out, would that use one or two cables? cuz my soundcard only has 1 microphone input. Thanks for your help, i guess two is better than one.

-Shoe

 

[shoe1]

Oh, also, why wouldn't this method work with say, 4 tracks? Thanks!

-Shoe

 

[LemonTree]

just think of it as..

a piece of Behringer crap. It'll do the job but you won't find another piece of equipment anywhere on the planet to do it worse...that much is fact.

I urge you to read as much as you can on this web site and buy Behringer only as a last resort to weapons of musical distruction

 

[Scottgman]

o ok, so the best i could do is record the drums with two mics? rats... But about that method you talked about, i got a quiestion about the cables. To go from the mixer to the computer, using the line out or the tape out, would that use one or two cables? cuz my soundcard only has 1 microphone input. Thanks for your help, i guess two is better than one.

-Shoe

OK, go back and read my post. You can use all 4 mic preamps on the mixer, it's just that the signal you are sending to Cakewalk will be a stereo signal rather than 4 separate tracks. In other words, you will be doing the drum mix-down basically as you record rather than after you record (the preferred method). You would need one cable, an RCA to 1/8" stereo. That's two RCA plugs on one end and one 1/8" stereo plug on the other end. Also, you don't want to use the Mic In input on your soundcard, you would want to use the Line In input. The Mic In input on your soundcard is basically a mic preamp-- a really crappy mic preamp (even worse than Behringers). Since you will be using the mic preamps on the mixer, you don't the soundcard to act as a preamp.

Goo Luck.

 

[Ethan Winer]

Shoe,

> But to record, how would i get this to the computer, and into Cakewalk? <

See "Using a mixer with a DAW," first in the list on my Articles page:

www.ethanwiner.com/articles.html

--Ethan

 

[guttadaj]

Wow! Thanks for that link, Ethan!

That taught me TONS! I was always wondering about how you actually use the mixer for monitoring (been monitoring through my computer). Also, I've been really curious about how you create different headphone mixes with more or less of the part being recorded in the mix. And the nugget about turning up the Windows recording level all the way is quite a gem too!! Also, this is the first I've read about inserting the plugs partway into the inserts. Sheesh! It never ceases to amaze me how extremely little I know! But, then, it would be boring if I knew everything already!

Thanks again!
-Jeff

 

[shoe1]

Thanks everyone! What happened is my band just purchased a PA system, and it has a recording out, so we can record up to 6 tracks stimultanoiusly. But thanks for the help!

-Shoe