mixer vs. pre's?

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tylerxxx

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i'm not sure if this is the place to post it, but it seems like it fits best here.
anyways...
i started recording with a DAW, and now i'm looking into recording with computers.

now, i really don't know too much about it. i've read a lot of the posts here, saying that you need to buy preamps, but then a lot of posts mention that they use their mixers as preamps.

if i were to start recording on my computer, which would be better... to buy individual preamps or just a mixer?

any other help would be amazing.

-tyler
 
How many tracks /sources do you need to track AT ONE TIME? If you're just working by yourself, I'd go with a decent preamp since you can get a pretty good one for the cost of a mixer. If you want to do whole bands at once, a mixer would be a good choice as you'd have multiple preamps and some routing ability (submixing multiple mics into a single or stereo send and such).
 
Your best results will come from a dedicated Pre for sure. Some mixers have comparible preamps/EQ's but cost a considerable amount of money. A nice dedicated pre is usually tailored specifically for microphone sources, and may include things like variable impedance, EQ's which are far more tailored to the human voice, de-essers, compressors, and often things like exciters, real tubes for warmth, etc. Basically all the good things you want in your signal-chain, in one convenient rackmounted box. You can still get good results from a mixer though (Model depending....), but it won't have the sparkle that a dedicated pre can give you.

As far as what pre is right for you, it all depends on what you're looking for. Some pre's strive to be transparent sounding (Quite expensive usually), while others color the sound with their own unique characterisitcs. I personally like the Focusrite Twin Trak Pro http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TwinTrakPro/ . It isn't the best pre out there, but to my ears is an excellent balance between fidelity/features and cost.

Ideally you will have a mixer for most duties, and at least 1 or 2 decent pre's for critical duties (i.e. vocals).
 
Depending on how many channels you need or want, a mixer can have a better cost to performance to features ratio. It really depends on budget and workflow requirements.
 
i need quite a few inputs, and usually i work with one of my friends.
i obviously know nothing about preamps... would i need one for each input or what?
 
Yep, you need one for every input you want to be able to record simultaneously. Generally speaking, it it's more than four you may be better off with a mixer; or plan on spending quite a bit of money to get enough stand alone pres.
 
I'd go with a mixer. It'll make setting up monitor mixes a LOT easier.
 
ok then, i have these questions.
does each channel on the mixer have its own output? or would i just have the one output for speakers or whatever?
and, if you could recommend some good mixers, that would be amazing.


thanks for all the help so far,
tyler
 
Get a mixer with separate outputs on each channel--these can be either direct outs or channel inserts. It's better to get a mixer with both on each channel; but if it only has inserts you can use them to get a separate output from each channel. Soundcraft makes good budget mixers (check out the M-series); Allen & Heath boards are good for a bit more money. Several people on the board use and like the Yamaha MG 10/2 mixers (this is a type with inserts on every channel but not direct outs).
 
Depends on what mixer you're talking about. Some mixers have no such capability. Some have an in/out built into each channel called an insert that can be used as a direct out. Then again some are equiped with inserts and individual direct outs. You're also going to need a sound card with as many inputs as you need. Stock sound cards ain't gonna cut it.
 
i know i need a new soundcard.
would it be better to get a mixer with inserts and direct outs? or just one or the other? or does it even matter?

sorry if i sound like an idiot
 
How much cash do you have for this project?
 
really as much as i want... i don't want to buy garbage and have to replace it in a few months as i get better or need more stuff. so i'm willing to save up, i'd just prefer it to be fairly priced. keep in mind that i'm also going to have to buy a soundcard, new monitors, headphones, and i'm probably going to be getting a computer strictly for recording.

any suggestions?
 
How many input channels do you need? How many things are you going to record at once?


sl
 
Something like an M-Audio 1010 soundcard might be worth looking at. 8 channels of analog in & out. I'm not overly familiar with other stuff that's out there.

I use an old Allen & Heath SRC console for pres with a Delta 44. Having better preamps might be nice, but the ones I have seem to work great as a place to start. Something like the Mixwizard series console might be worth looking at, or soliciting opinions about.


sl
 
I've got a Tascam FW-1884 that works perfect and picked it up for $1000.00 from AMS. This acts as my control surface and inface with 8 pres. I use some outboard pres via the ADAT input. The FW-1884 has a total of 18 inputs at once.

So here's what I'd look into -

Tascam FW-1884 (8 pres and 8 channels of ADAT and 2 digital ins) Get a Tango 24 and add some outboard pres

or


RME Fireface (comes with 4 pres and 4 line inputs and 16 channel of ADAT)
Just add some out board pres to the RME and you've got your 8. I would look at getting two channel of the new Rupert Neve series for $1400.00 and then a RNP.

Total Cost -

RME Fireface $1500.00
Neve pre $1450.00 http://www.rupertneve.com/portico5012.html
RNP pre $600.00

Total cost $3550.00

Add a Tascam US-2400 for a nice control surface for $1500.00 more
 
Here's what I'd do whilst you get going ...

Mixer - Soundcraft M8 - eight decent pres, surprisingly good EQ and direct outs on each channel. Plus four stereo channels which you can use for your returns or whatever, and four stereo returns and plenty of output options. If you get this and want help wiring it up, PM me.

Sound card - Get whatever has the most analog i/o for your money. This might well be the M-Audio Delta 1010lt ... very good value. The 1010 full version is a bit better, and then there are a million firewire options (Presonus Firebox and Firepod are both good value, but I suspect the Soundcraft desk pres may be better).

Have one or two 'gold' channels, for this I would recommend the Toft ATC-2 - although the same pre can be found in the JoeMeek ThreeQ and TwinQ. RNP is another option, definitely.

Hope that helps,

Nik
 
i was looking at some behringer mixer earlier, are they any good?
to the guy who gave the prices... i'd really prefer not to spend that much, seeing as i have to buy a tonnnnn of new gear as well. so, anything for a bit cheaper?
 
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