need help finding good analog mixer

[astyle]

I was thinking about something... If you connect all your synths to channels on a mixer, then what will you record? The stereo output of the mixer with all signals combined? Maybe a patchbay would be a better choice than a mixer. You can rack all your synths (assuming they're rack mountable ), then connect the outputs to the backside of a patchbay. You could route the input cables from your interface to the patchbay too. Then just patch the out from the synth you want into the interface input of the channel you want. Ideally, I'd think you'd want each synth track recorded separately.

Jeff you really are helping me out here. I appreciate you making sure i get the right stuff, not the cool stuff. I feel like that is a reoccurring theme when it comes to audio.

I looked at some patchbay's. I am a little confused as to what they are for. Looks like line in line out, dont know what kinda magic happens in between.

The reason i thought i need a mixer, is because currently all of my production is done in ableton. I bring up 10 or 12 synths or machines and like to adjust volumes, velocity's, and frequencies after adjusting their sound and creating the pattern.
I feel like it should be the same with outboard gear. Ill create patterns and tones in patterns on each synth. Then when im ready to record, i can bring them in with the faders or switches. I dont want each synth to be at the same volume. In this post production i also like to adjust the frequencies, maybe there is too much bass on the moog, so ill hit up the 4 band eq and adjust accordingly.
With the line mixer's you dont have the option of adjusting highs mids lows.(from what i first looked at).

Am i on the right track with my thoughts?

By the way. The allen & heath i think is what i am looking for. Not only does it sound and look really good, but it has a USB interface which works perfect for me since i use a pc with ableton/ cubase for adding missing instruments/effects

 

[Jeff_D]

as far as the patchbay- there isn't much magic happening inside. Its really just an easy way to connect the audio output of a synth to the audio input on your recording interface.

As far as adjusting level and eq, *most* people that use a computer for recording audio prefer to adjust those things after you have a signal recorded... which is why I want to get as much separation between different tracks / different instruments as possible, which is why I want a soundcard or interface with a ton of separate inputs instead of a mixer that is going to combine everything before it gets recorded...

I know NOTHING about synths almost as little about midi. I've never owned a synth and probably never will- I just don't have a use for em for the stuff my band does- we mic everything all the time. And, keeping that in mind, I want to help ya out, but I'm not the best qualified to do that. Hopefully someone more familiar with that will check in.

One last thought... if you're using a desktop computer and not a laptop, something like the MAudio 1010lt has 8 line level analog inputs (two of em are balanced, rest are rca). You could easily connect 4 synths with stereo outputs into that soundcard and record them all simultaneously without an external mixer at all. I use 2 of those cards together in my own recording setup.

 

[astyle]

Thanks jeff
I use a laptop, but i do have an external 8 line soundcard that is quite good. Its the native instruments audio 8
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--NINAUDIO8DJ

This whole separation thing is really over my head. I need to learn a lot more before i put any more money into production idea.

I did find this video on youtube which is pretty much what i currently have for making tracks. (couple synths and a midi controller shooting to ableton.)
You might want to mute your comp if you watch this, his track is pretty bad. But this might give you a visual representation of what im working with

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YU39XnNv6I&feature=related

 

[astyle]

I suppose i could directly connect the synths to the soundcard, but i thought it would sound better to have them into the mixer which then goes to the soundcard.