Mixer?

[cokesodanotdrug]

I might be getting some drum mics (audix Fusion 4 drum mic package) and I was talking to a friend who said I would need something to use before getting all the track recorded (Mixer?). My question is kind of a newbie question but it also is a bit more specific. A mixer would (as I assume it) mix the mic tracks before sending them to the recorder. Would I be able to adjust the volume and stuff with a mixer before it goes to a recorder? is a mixer a good way to go or should I get a mixer/recorder unit? Are there other things I would need in order to make the mic set up work?

 

[adessmith]

How are you recording? Are you using a 4 track analog recorder? Are you going straight to a computer sound card? Digital multitrack?

Also how many inputs does your recording device have and are you recording the drums by themself or at the same time as anything else?