Mixing Desk purchase advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter SevenHells
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SevenHells

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Hello all :drunk:

I'd like advice on which Mixing desk to get, if you would be so kind :guitar:

I'm relatively new to recording (at least in the context of hardware) but I'd like a desk with at least 10 channels, enough to have a drumkit permanently mic'd up and 2 mics for guitar and 1 for vocals.

I also need to be able to record multiple tracks simultaneously and have them record onto seperate tracks in my recording software (primarily Cubase atm). I borrowed a Peavey PV8 off a mate a while ago and it didn't allow this :wtf:

I'm willing to spend around £250-£500 ($400-$800)

Thank you
 
I wrote a FAQ on mixers and home recording a while back which you can find HERE. I'm not sure how much help it will be in your case though.

Your budget is a bit low for what you want to do. Most cheap mixers with a built in computer interface compromise by only feeding the main output to the USB, not individual tracks. There are more expensive solutions but they considerably exceed your budget.

The closest I know is the ALESIS MULTIMIX 16 but, despite being at the top end of your budget, it only has 8 mic inputs plus a few more line level stereo ones.

The other direction you could look is not bothering with a mixer and just getting a multitrack interface. There are some good deals right now on the TASCAM US 1800 which is a popular unit with folks on this forum. Again, it's only 8 mic inputs but at least it's well within your budget (especially if you go for the B Stock listed on the link I gave you.

I fear that going to 10 inputs and/or a proper mixer with that many direct outputs will mean a substantial increase in your budget.
 
Thanks very much for the great reply.

I'm having a read through your FAQ but all things considered it looks as tho the Tascam would be pretty much perfect. Am I right in thinking that I'd be able to record 4 tracks simultaneously with the 1800? And that the signal for each will pass through the USB and remain seperate when they reach the recording software? (I've no idea the capabilities of USB)
 
It's even better than that. You can actually record 16 simultaneous, separate tracks--8 mics, 6 line inputs and an S/PDIF digital stereo input. The "4 out" refers to what you can feed out of your DAW to monitors etc.

The reality is probably just using the mic inputs from what you describe--and maybe a line input or two in the future. For example, a keyboard or maybe a sub mixer for your vocal and guitar mics with the stereo line out going into a Tascam line in.

If you look around the forum, you'll find a lot of recommendations for the Tascam. I've not used one myself (having spent WAY too much on a digital mixer) but the US 1800 is very popular 'round these parts.
 
Hello again

Thanks for your help so far but my situation has changed somewhat. Without boring you with the details I no longer need to mic up a drumkit and instead have access to a Roland Electonic drumkit which I will most likely be using as midi triggers.

My main focus now is good sound quality whilst being able to record just 3 mic tracks simultanously (1 mic for vocals and 2 for mic'ing the guitar). I could however sacrifce 1 XLR for sound quality/price since I don't absolutely need to record vocals at the same time... but it would be nice

I'll primarily be recording my Gibson J-200 and vocals so I'm looking to do my guitar justice. Access to high end mics isn't an issue.

I use Cubase and currently have a M-Audio Delta 1010LT soundcard ( maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/Delta1010LT ) . I'm not sure whether I'd be better off replacing the 1010lt with an interface or incorporating it somehow with external preamps. My mate says I can have his Peavey PV8 (non USB) for nothing but since it doesn't allow multitracking, and it doesn't strike me as something which would do my guitar justice in the soundquality stakes, I'm not sure how much use it would be. Perhaps with external preamps going into my 1010LT the PV8 could be used when it comes to monitoring/overdubbing? This last paragraph may or may not make any sense ;)

I can up my budget to around £600 btw :)
 
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