Mixers and PCs

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Johnson

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I Have a Question;

I want to set up a little studio in my
house. I want to record digitally on my
computer instead of using an ADAT. Is it
possible to use a Mackie-style mixer to
mix the inputs and outputs as if it were
a mixer connected to a ADAT recorder.
If anyone can understand what I'm trying to say, Please help.
Thanks
 
You certainly can use your mackie. If you only have a 1/8 stereo input to your soundcrd then, of course, you can only record two tracks (stereo) If you are looking to use you Mackie and get it recorded as 3-8 (or more) seperate tracks then you will need to get and audio interface such as the Layla. There are many diffent brands, features and prices. Do I make sense?
 
Thank you for the reply. Yes, you make sense. But I have one more for you.If I recorded using the Mackie, when I playback can I use the Mackie to control the volume of each track, mute, solo or must I control this with the software such as Cool Edit Pro?
 
For output the Mackie can be used to control the monitor volume. What's in the .wav file is, yep you guessed it, in the .wav file and so can be tweaked by the software mixer AND/OR the Mackie.It's important to know where each of these settings are when you're trying to mix, otherwise you could make the wrong adjustments in response to some unknown mixer setting.
 
You could also send your tracks out of the soundcard back into the Mackie and connect the moniters to the mackie. For this, you will need double the channels on your mixer as youyr soundcard...ie. Soudcard with 8 ins and 8 outs, 16 channel mixer. Channels 1-8 on mixer would go to input 1-8 on soundcard. Output 1-8 on soundcard would go to input 9-16 on mixer. Seems like your going in circles, but this way you have 2 mixers, which equals more flexibility. Anther option would be to re-patch once you start mixdown, and use an 8 channel mixer. I know exactly what you are saying, and want to do the same thing.
 
I have a question Is it better to use a digital mixer with your pc for digital audio?
does that effect the quality?
 
Its usually better to go through as many Digital to Analogue conversions as possible. Depending on the quality of your converters, and while there is always many exceptions to the rule, I would have to go with Yes.
 
I think he meant "as few digital-to-analog conversions as possible"...

[This message has been edited by Dragon (edited 11-01-1999).]
 
Or perhaps the idea was some arcane grunge technique where the mix is transformed back and forth so many times it takes on a flavor all its own. :)
Like the suggestions I heard (re: Trent R) to use almost dead batteries in a squash box. Or intentionally digitally undersample to distort the output.
 
Oh god, I must have been really out of it when I put up my lat post. I did mean "as few" . Thanks for catching me on that one.
 
I am new to this, but I can't figure out how to individually re-patch each channel from the mixer to SEPARATE inputs on the soundcard. I own a Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO, and I can't figure it out.

A response would be much appreciated.
 
With the Gina, could I mix all of its outputs into the two inputs? or will i need need to have an input for every output, like the Layla?
 
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