Mixer question

[jazzydrumer85]

Hey all,
Please excuse the ignorance but I've got a question.

A couple of months ago I bought a Mackie SR32-4 mixer at auction.
I now want to hook this bad boy up and start some home recording but I'm not sure how to connect this to my PC.
I want to be able to control the channels in Mixcraft with the faders on the mixer.
Do I need an interface?
I've seen some people saying that all you've got to do is go from the 1/4" out to the mic input on the PC, but that will
just give an overall mix input to the PC, when I want to control each track individually.
Please let me know if someone out there can help.
Thanks!!!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

The SR32-4 appears to be a 4 buss mixer, but there appears to be 8 sub outs which can be used for recording (manual mentions how this is done), so an interface with 8 line inputs might give 8 tracks with individual control.

My memory is a little fuzzy on this, but I think the 4 bus outs are duplicated so you can use the 4 buses to route inputs to any of 8 tracks of a recorder. But it's still limited to 4 channels of audio via the buses. With 6 or so aux sends one could stretch to 8 with clever routing.

But that's not really a recording board, it's a live mixing board. And you don't really need a mixer at all these days.

 

[ecc83]

Oooo! That's a big 'un! As the other chaps have said, no good without an interface and MASSIVE overkill for most home recording situations.
If HR is what you really want to do I suggest you check out the mixer very carefully, check each channel works, not any faults, dodgy switches, crunchy faders etc and if it is not a complete dog, put it on the Bay. Someone with a biggish band or a hall they hire out might give you a decent profit. THEN come back here with a budget and a plan and ask again!

Had it been something small but good, an A&H or Soundcraft e.g. I would have said keep it and get an interface to suit.

Dave.

 

[Farview]

Yup, sell it and the an appropriate interface with the money. That board is half useless for recording and you will still need to buy an interface to use it. That's why it's best to sell it and take the money and buy an interface that has mic preamps.