Mixer Vs. Micpre

[Bozman]

Hey folks,

I wasn't sure if this should be here or the rack because it kind of overlaps, but I thought I'd start here.

I’m about to buy my first condenser mics and need some advice. I’m getting a large condenser now and will be adding some small condensers in the near future. Now I need to know what should I get to provide power these mic’s. I’m going between a) Mackie Mixer (1202 or 1402 vlz pro), b) Behringer Mixer, C) Mic Pre (ART, Joemeek), or d) Dual channel Mic Pre.

The current uses will be primarily for recording vocals, percussion, and acoustic/classical guitar. Longer term, there is a chance that I could be doing drums and who knows what else, but that is unknown at this time.

I record onto a Boss BR-8 so I currently only have two inputs to use for recording. I would like to be able to stereo mic the acoustic/classical guitar recordings.

The way I see it, getting a mixer would probably be most beneficial and also would also allow for expanding my current set-up in the future. My main concern about the Mackie/Behringer mixers is the pre-maps. If the preamps in the Mackie are good, why do so many people still buy the ART/Joemeek to go with them? If I buy a mixer, am I still going to want to buy an external Pre in the near future???

On the other hand, I like the ideas of just spending $100-200 on one of the inexpensive micpre’s that are currently available. Of course, I would either need two of them or a dual channel model, so that would increase the price a bit.

I could keep rambling about this, but I think I’ll stop here and wait for some input.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

 

[bball jones]

For tracking one instrument at a time, you could concievably get by with a stand alone pre. The mixer could come into play for multi-instrument (voice) micing. For most of my micing-vocal, acoustic-electric guitars - I bypass the mixer entirely and go from the pre direct to soundcard via the spdif on the dbx. But many is the time I am glad to have a mixer or two at my disposal for adding outboard effects and mixdowns etc.

 

[Gidge]

Bozman, the Mackie mixer has some good, solid clean preamps....however, at times you will want a richer, more colorful sound and thats where other preamps come in....if you will be doing drums Id go with the Mackie and then later when you can swing it, one of the dedicated pres you mentioned for color....

 

[tdowning]

interesting

I was always told that Mackie mixers are the best. I've been using my mackie CFX 12 for almost all my preamp needs, (multitracking the drums most recently)

So the Mackie pres add very little color? That's the kind of thing I prefer, so that I can add coloration later, as I am still pretty new to this