Mixers, desk, decks, .................

  • Thread starter Thread starter rpe
  • Start date Start date
rpe

rpe

NM - Land of Excrement
OK, they call them mixers, mixing consoles, mixing decks, desks, in-line, for monitoring, for recording, live performance, etc., etc., etc. I can’t find a good explanation anywhere of the functional differences in the wide variety of “mixers”. How do I know which one I need? I don’t expect any of you to sit down and write me a thorough explanation but would appreciate being directed to a good web site for a comprehensive explanation of the differences. My recording setup is very minimal and I just record myself on guitars or mic’d instruments so I have to believe my mixer needs are also minimal but I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THEM SO I CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DEECISION BEFORE BUYING ONE!!!

Thanks,

rpe
 
YO RP+E:

Does your recorder have its own mixer?

If you had a SIAB, it would have its own mixer. Or you could buy a better one and patch it in too. [studio in a box]

You need to do some research and reading and see what it is you NEED for your particular end product. If you buy a PC based unit, then there would be a mixer tied into the program.

A mixer for multiple recorded tracks sets levels and pans tracks r/l or straight up in a most basic sense.

In my case, using the Yam 2816, my mixer is built-in; I mix, set levels, use reverb, dynamics, etc. Then, I play it and listen to see what I've got via monitors; then, I make a stereo track right on the SIAB and can tweak that too -- then, I can burn a CDR or CDRW.

Hope this points you in the right directions.

Green Hornet :D :p :cool:
 
They all do the same stuff. Some just have more stuff than others. Check out the manuals at www.mackie.com and they do a good job of explaining the different sections and have a lot of diagrams for different setups.

The main differences are number of preamps (for hooking up mics), channels (for mics or mix down of tracks), aux sends (for effects and monitor mixes) and Inserts, Direct outs and busses (for sending tracks to a recorder or effects).

There is a bit more to it but those are the basics.
 
thanks for the info

I do have a software mixer in my Guitar Tracks Pro but I prefer using something hands-on. I also have an old mixer (InterM 642) but I'm thinking it's probably not the optimal mixer for me (not sure). I'll check out the Mackie site to look at their manuals.

thanks,

rpe
 
WHA'SUP RPE!

Still poundin away at it eh? I read your post, and I looked up the PDF Manual for the mixer you listed. You're right, it probably isn't long term what you want to use, but from what I can see you can definately make use of it for now.

You have the Delta 1010, and M-Audio SP-5b's Right? This is how I reccomend you set up for now, to maximize the capabilities of all your gear. (btw you didn't mention a mic pre-amp, do you use one?, This set up is assuming you don't)

You will need:
1 ADAT (type) rca Male to 1/4" Male 8 channel snake OR
4 sets of standard home stereo type 3'-6' foot rca cables and 8 rca female to 1/4" male adapters.

4 6' to 8' 1/4" line cables (two balanced)

Connect the ADAT snake to the mixer via the rca inputs starting from CH 7-8 thru CH. 13-14, so that all 8 chan. of the snake are connected in order.

Connect the other end of the snake to the outputs of the 1010 in the same order. You now have the ability to mix the virtual outs from cakewalk on your mixer in the same way as on the screen.

Now for recording individual sources, so that you can monitor and record simultaneously without bleeding into your new tracks, connect the AUX 1 & 2 outputs of the mixer to the 1&2 inputs of the 1010.

You now can monitor your mic or other source through Chan 1 -6, and send the dry signal of that mic into cakewalk by turning up the Aux1 or Aux2 pot. This will allow you to record more than one source at a time, while still listening to the tracks you have already recorded.

Now hook up the main balanced outs oh the mixer directly to your SP-5B's, using the balanced cables, and you are set to go.

There is much more you can do, to optimize headroom and outboard effects options etc. , but just get it all hooked up first, before you try that.
Peace man

:)
 
Maestro, my man!!!

You are too cool. Really appreciate your info. I'm headed out to get some more cables. By the way, I have an ART TPS (2 channel pre-amp also).

many thanks,

rpe
 
It sounds like you already have all the I/O that you need. What you might want to look at to get more "hands on" is one of those digital control surface mixers to control your Cakewalk mixer or whatever you are using on your PC. There are many to chose from now because it seems many people like you are finding themselves wanting to have access to actual controls instead of fussing with the mouse or whatever.
 
RPE make sure you match the inputs on your mixer to the outputs of the 1010, set everything to -10, that should prevent overdriving any gain stages on the mixer, and give you good headroom to mix.

You have the ART tps? Is that the digital version? If so you can use the digital outs into the s/pdif on the delta card and skip another A/D conversion.

If not, you should try connecting the balanced outs of the TPS to inputs 1 & 2 of the 1010,(XLR female to TRS male) and the 1/4" outputs of the TPS to Channels 1 & 2 of your mixer. This will let you monitor the signal of the TPS thru your mixer and record the cleanest possible signal into your computer thru the TPS balanced outs, bypassing unnecesary gain stages.( of course now you'll have to run out and buy more cables again!If you have a Guitar Center, go to the pro-audio dept and ask to go thru the mark down bins, you can save yourself maybe $20 bucks finding slightly used cables.):D

If you have outboard effects, this would also allow you to monitor wet and record dry, sometimes a good thing to help the performance.

Do you have a patchbay? That would also simplify (or complicate depending on your P.O.V.!) changing configurations quickly.]

BTW it's fun helping someone get the most out of their stuff, especially easy 'cause we have similar gear:D

M_dmc
 
M_dmc,

More cables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No problem. There isn’t a Guitar Center here in the boondocks of New Mexico but there are a few music stores that sell cables. The TPS I have is not the digital version. I don’t have any outboard effects (yet). I’ve been recording just acoustic guitar and clean electric guitar so far. Maybe some day I’ll add compressors, EQs, etc., but so far I’m happy with the clean sound I’m getting. I play mostly acoustic finger-style ballads, love songs, hymns, but I do love classic rock also. I’m a big fan of Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Clapton, Beatles. Enough rambling. Oh yea, the patchbay. I’m pretty old and if you think my ignorance of mixers is laughable wait till I tell you I’ve read tons of tuff on patchbays and still don’t understand how I would properly use one. They do sound like a great concept though.

Can’t tell you how much help you’ve been.

Thanks,

rpe
 
Hey that's what it's all about man, and you know, us old guys got to stick together.

Besides with all those extra posts, I made it to "Senior Member"
Whoopeee!!!!:D :D :D
 
Back
Top