Mixers

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Corey

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Here I am, yet another guitarist getting into home recording...

OK, I have two questions about mixers. Actually, I have a lot more, as I know very little about the subject, but I'll only ask two. First, what is the difference between a powered mixed and a regular mixer?

Second, I'm setting up my little studio with a digital audio card (4 simultaneous tracks min., I'm looking for something with 8 that will allow me to continue eating for the rest of the year)and a mixing board (I'm looking at the Behringer MX802A or maybe an 8 track Mackie). How do I go about being able to use the mixer for both recording and mastering? I haven't really taken a good look at the Behringer yet, so I don't know if it's just a matter of connecting the right jacks, or is this possibly where that whole patch bay thing comes in? I will also, hopefully, be slowly building a rackful of effects, so if there is something I need to know about connecting those, any information would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Corey

P.S. In case you're interested, I'll probably be doing a good bit of single track recording, but I'm going to find it extremely useful on some days to be able to use all the tracks I have (and I'll probably wish I had more...)
 
Hi! As it's name implies,a powered mixer has a power amplifier in it's chassis,which allows direct hookup with loudspeakers,all you need is the cables.They are almost always used for small P.A. applications 'cause it means one less thing to schlep.However,generally speaking,most non powered mixers are of a higher order of quality than powered ones in the same srata of price.If you're only recording one or two tracks at a time,something like the Mackie 1402 would do nicely.Cheers!
 
As virtual ray has pointed out, a powered mixer generally lacks the features and specs of an unpowered one, so if you were planning to use your mixer to record, skip the powered variety.

If you are wanting to add FX through the mixer the Behringer 802A is a good choice, for a cheapie...about the only mixer in that price-range with two aux sends.
 
well.... the mackie's also have the 2 aux sends.....

I have a Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO and I love it. I've never had a problem with it and I love how it sounds =)

I've used it for home recording, live concerts and video editing. And it has never let me down =)

Sabith
 
I have to second the Mackie choice. Great mixers with really nice pre amps. Depending on what kind of card (number of ins and outs) and if you want to mix and master completly in the computer or both a little in the computer and out board into an analog mixer. With a card with 4 to 8 ins and outs and a Mackie you'd have a reasonably powerful setup (and of course a computer with enough horsepower).
 
I have a Behringer MX1604A. It's a good little cheap mixer, very flexible and satisfies my needs (routing stereo out from SB Live and to outs from my Delta 66 to the main stereo bus, and mic preamp/phantom power for my RODE NT-1). Significantly cheaper than the comparable Mackie model. The Mackie is doubtless a better choice, but if you're strapped for cash the Behringer is a good deal.
 
AlChuck,

Sounds like you and I have kinda the same setup, so I've got a mixer question for you. First, here's my setup (part of it anyway):

Mackie 1202 VLZ PRO
Delta 66
SB Live - for MIDI only
Event PS5 biamped monitors
Rode NT1

I'll use channel 1 for the Rode NT1 input into the Mackie, but what would be the best way to go from there into the Delta 66? If I use the channel insert, doesn't that bypass the channel 1 EQ? Do I use the Alt Out, the main out, or what? What about the monitors?
Use the XLR Main Outs, the 1/4" Main Outs, or the Alt Outs? For output from the Delta 66 and SB Live into the Mackie, use the In's on Channels 5,7, and 9? or maybe just Channels 5 and 7? Do you use Delta Out 1 and 2 (separate cables?) to go into Channels 5 and 7 on your board, or do you use a Y-split? I used to run sound for a band a long time ago, but I guess my Alzeimers must be kicking in because I've forgotten most of it. On a related note, what cables (brand and type) would you recommend for this setup?


Thanks dude...
 
Macke makes great stuff...but...

You'll pay at least $350 for a new Macke 1202VLZ Pro anywhere...they are so popular they are never on sale.

On the other hand a new Behringer 802A is only $150 (8thstreet.com)...and for only $50 bucks more than the entry level Macke, in a Behringer, you can get you a model 2642A (8thstreet.com)...this is real 4 bus mixer, with 16 channels, 6 Aux sends, subgroups, and direct outs...a much more substantial mixer than the Macke 1202VLZ Pro.

Macke can't touch Behringer, dollar for dollar.

As far as comparable quality goes, it would be hard to believe that Behringer can produce
products of comparable quality to Macke for half the price...unless the Macke's are grossly overpriced.

If you are willing and able to pay double for a Macke, go for it...I'm sure you'll be happy with its performance...just don't expect to get a deal...on a new one, anyway...they don't do "deals" on Mackes!
 
I bought the 1604vlz and ever store around wanted over 900.00 plus tax. I found some guy
(Valentine Communications) to sell me a brand new one (sealed in the box) for 809.00
tax included. I dont know how he discounted it more than the other stores but my buisness
has been going to him since.
 
robn:

I use the 1402, and this is how I have it setup.

Use the inserts on channels 1 - 6 out to inputs 1 - 6 on the soundcard. Sure, this bypasses the EQ, but the EQ aint the best anyway, and this can be done with plugins after recording, and maintain some control.

Use the XLR outputs into your powered monitors. (My monitors are not powered, so I go out from the XLRs on the board, into a poweramp, and then out to speakers)

For monitoring, use 2 1/4" cables from the outputs of your soundcard into a channel on your mackie. You could also run another pair of cables from your midi sound card into a spare channel.

By balancing the headphone output with the main mix input from your soundcard, overdubbing works ok.

For recording instruments that do not require a mixer - For instance, the POD. I run direct from the output of the POD into one or 2 of the inputs of the soundcard, and monitor by taking an output (outpu 3 of the soundcard in my case) back into a spare channel on the mackie. This is achieved by routing via software (aardvark control panal) the input of the channel the pod is plugged into - out to a seperate output. I don't know if the Delta does this, but probably.

For cabling, the Canare GS-6 are good for 1/4" runs. For microphone and other balanced cables, Canare L-4E6S Starquad are good, not super expensive cabling.

Good luck.



[This message has been edited by Emeric (edited 07-29-2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by robn:
I'll use channel 1 for the Rode NT1 input into the Mackie, but what would be the best way to go from there into the Delta 66? If I use the channel insert, doesn't that bypass the channel 1 EQ? Do I use the Alt Out, the main out, or what? What about the monitors?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The channel insert is probably pre-EQ so yoeah, you'll lose that, but if you eq in the PC, that's OK.

On my mixer I use the ALT 3/4 pair to send the mic signals to the Delta because the mixer has only a global send/receive, no independent channel inserts. I use the main out 1/2 for the monitors

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Use the XLR Main Outs, the 1/4" Main Outs, or the Alt Outs? For output from the Delta 66 and SB Live into the Mackie, use the In's on Channels 5,7, and 9? or maybe just Channels 5 and 7? Do you use Delta Out 1 and 2 (separate cables?) to go into Channels 5 and 7 on your board, or do you use a Y-split? I used to run sound for a band a long time ago, but I guess my Alzeimers must be kicking in because I've forgotten most of it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Mine too... whew... I can't quite suss your actual question out of this, and I'm on my way out the door for vacation, but let's see... I use the mixer's XLR outs for both monitors on 1/2 and the ALT 3/4 to the Delta. Cables for the latter are XLR on one end, TRS 1/4" on the other. (I think that's right...) The Delta outs 1/2 go into balanced 1/4" L/R inputs on channels 5/6, and the SB are unbalanced with a y-cable that has one end with a 1/8" stereo miniplug and the other a pair of 1/4" plugs.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>On a related note, what cables (brand and type) would you recommend for this setup? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I got some Monster StudioLinks -- the lower-priced series (500?) -- I couldn't see spending $100 a cable, and these I got were bad enough (roughly $25 each for the shortest useable lengths I could get).

-AlChuck



Thanks dude... [/B][/QUOTE]
 
I looked into the Behringers but decided on a Mackie for the extra headroom and the cleaner preamps. I'm not knocking the Behringers at all, and they're definitely less expensive. By the way, I bought my Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro at www.riksmusic.com for $319 (new) about 2 weeks ago...that's the cheapest price I've found.

Thanks emeric and alchuck for your replies concerning my mixer/cable hookups questions. AlChuck, what's a vacation??? It sounds like fun...


Rob
 
emeric,

Where did you get the Canare cables??? Or did you do them yourself??? I can find lots of Monster Cable, but I'm having trouble locating the Canare.


Thanks alot !
 
I ordered them from a local company in Ottawa - PSL - Professional Sound & Lighting, they were pre-made. I think full compass sells them though -
www.fullcompass.com

These were $15 for 3 foot 1/4" to 1/4" and $48 for 35' mic cables. BTW - it's well worth it to get a little longer cables than too short, not much more money and you never know when you might need 35' instead of 25'.



[This message has been edited by Emeric (edited 07-31-2000).]
 
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