Mixer/Soundcard Question

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Cheeky Monkey

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Hi. I'm just getting into home recording and am slowly assembling equipment. I only want to do this as a solo hobbyist and I'm wondering if and why I'd need a mixer if the most I'd want to do is have two mics on my acoustic guitar. Would an apporporiate soundcard (e.g. Audiophile 24/96, or other -- hoping for recommendations) with at least two inputs be all that I need? If a small mixer is needed, please tell me why 'cause I still don't understand the need -- perhaps apart from the convenience of having everything already plugged-in so I'm not plugging/unplugging different instruments. Thanks for any feedback.
 
You'll need either a small mixer...
Or, a 2 channel pre-amp...
The Audiophile doesn't have any mic pres
So you'd need to boost your mic signal...
 
Disposable said:
You'll need either a small mixer...
Or, a 2 channel pre-amp...
The Audiophile doesn't have any mic pres
So you'd need to boost your mic signal...
Click to expand...
Thanks. Are there good soundcards that include mic pres? Probably not, and if not, I suppose for what a 2 channel mic pre-amp would cost it's perhaps better to get a small mixer?
 
What kind of mic's are you using?, do you need phantom power? if you are not using condensers you can use the audiophile with the right connections and then you can use the mixer that comes with the card.
 
Carter said:
What kind of mic's are you using?, do you need phantom power? if you are not using condensers you can use the audiophile with the right connections and then you can use the mixer that comes with the card.
Click to expand...
Right now I only have one cheap AKG condensor mic, but I'll soon be buying two reasonably good condensors. I'll need a new soundcard at some point and that's why I was wondering if I could just spend on a really good soundcard that could accommodate (power) the mics, and forget about the mixer. I guess it'll either be the mixer, or an M-Audio AudioBuddy like Disposible suggested. Thanks again guys.
 
Carter said:
What kind of mic's are you using?, do you need phantom power? if you are not using condensers you can use the audiophile with the right connections and then you can use the mixer that comes with the card.
Click to expand...

No ya can't. You NEED preamps. I'd check out a small Yamaha mixer for under $200
 
Check out the behringer BCA2000. It's not really available yet, but it does have mic pre's and I believe it does have phantom power, as well as real sliders and lots of flexability. It looks to be a really hot piece, if you have USB 2.0
 
Guys, what do you think about the M-Audio OmniStudio or OmniStudio USB for my needs? (solo hobbyist -- beyond vocals, electric guitar and a midi keyboard controller, the most I'd want to do is 2 mics on an acoustic guitar).

From what I read, the OmniStudio is essentially a hardware mixer in a little box designed for the lone musician and allows you to keep your external gear and mix it all in. It uses the Delta 44/66 converters and drivers. Apparently ideal for any home musician wanting to record live instruments and maybe has external gear too.

M-Audio also have a USB version of the OmniStudio and in doing so apparently addressed the one problem with the original - it has a MIDI interface and it's also laid out much better. It does, however, highlight the limitations of USB1.1, which is if you are recording in 16bit 44.1kHz then you can do 4in and 4out, however if you are recording in 24bit 96kHz then you are restricted to 2in and 2out. I've read this shouldn't really be a hardship for most people who would rarely use more than 2in or out.

Here's what the M-Audio web-site says about the OmniStudio USB: "OmniStudio USB is more than just an interface—it’s a complete mobile audio/MIDI workstation. Based on our award-winning Omni Studio, it puts everything you need for audio and MIDI recording, monitoring and mixing into one easy-to-transport package. OmniStudio USB is a 4 x 4 audio interface with two extremely high-quality mic/instrument preamps—perfect for tracking and overdubbing guitars and vocals. The built-in mixer (14 ch.) combines your computer-based tracks—complete with effect sends and return—with four stereo aux inputs to drive an elaborate direct monitoring system. One simple USB connection gets you more connectivity, flexibility and core studio functionality than any other USB audio product available today."

Might the OmniStudio USB be a good 2 in 1 choice for me to therefore not need to buy a separate mixer and soundcard, and possibly a less expensive solution for me all around?
 
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I gotta tell ya, I havent heard much positive about any of the usb interfaces, but i havent used any of em. Im not sure if its a matter of the hardware itself, or flakey drivers and s/w. I hear alot of complaints about stability and latency (search around hear- cause im sure thats were i read most of it). If your using a laptop, id go with firewire; If your on a desktop, id really stick with a pci interface.

you could do something like a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and a yamaha mixer and you'd have all the function of the units you mention, plus this is "upgradeable" separatly.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOAP2496
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--YAMMG124

how many tracks do you need to record at once? Whats your budget?
 
I know what you need for cheap!!!

hi,
I know what you need for a little under $150.Its the same thing i have just my mixer has 4 mic in puts insaid of 2.But i have the same sound card and it is the best...it even comes with some recording software!
MIXER http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...=live/s=mixers/search/detail/base_pid/631238/
SOUND CARD
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-118-102&depa=0
ADAPTER
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...=live/s=mixers/search/detail/base_pid/335219/
CABLE
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...0216021/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/333030/

This is everthing you need for a awesome setup,great for what your looking for!
E-mail me if you have any other Questions....clint2212@msn.com
 
Sorry, Lunchbox2212, but that Turtle Beach card looks like a piece of crap!
 
The Turtle Beach card is probably very slightly nicer than the onboar sound in whatever computer you have now. As an alternative, you could get a simple mixer (because you need preamps for those mics) get a cable like what the Lunchbox showed (there are other workable variations of this cable config) and plug into your onboard sound card. This will at the very least get you started. You will most likely soon realize the limitations to a non-pro soundcard and you can then make a very educated decision on what is to be your next upgrade. There is a Yamaha mixer a grade below what i linked above for about $100. I'd try to avoid the Behri stuff if i could. (Im not here to start the behri wars either- if you like it an it works- then good)
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--YAMMG102
 
Yah get a Delta 44 and one of those Yamaha mixers kremitmusic suggested.

You can now get the 44 and the MG10/2 for less than $250.

Don't, I repeat do not even think about usb
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. Someone asked about how many tracks I'll record at once and my budget. As a solo recording hobbyist, the most tracks I expect to record at once will be to have two mics on my acoustic guitar. As for budget, I already have my instruments (guitars), I just bought a new PC and Cubase SX 2. I don't have the money for anything else right now, but I hope to buy the remaining components I need over a period of months beginning soon. Based on feedback here, I believe I'll go with a small mixer (either a Yamaha or Behringer to get me started), and perhaps an Audiophile 2496 soundcard. I'll probably look seriously at the Wharfedale monitors and a midi keyboard controller. I want to get a couple of better mics too. This should get me going, and the better I get at recording, I'll upgrade to better quality, but nothing too high-end. I just want to record my original songs to a decent quality.

Thanks again.
 
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