Need help setting up emu1212m, do I need a mixer? Please help

  • Thread starter Thread starter DanielJoseph
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DanielJoseph

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I recently purchased a emu1212m card and installed it in my computer. I didn't realize that it didn't have a jack for headphones and I don't have and monitors at the moment .

I also purchased a dmp3 pre amp to use with the emu1212m

The other day I went to a local music store and the guy in there was telling me that I need a mixer to use with the emu1212 for use of my headphone and also because when I am trying to do overdubs there would be a lot of latency if I didn't have a mixer.

I just want to know the easiest way possible to hook up the emu1212 without having latency problems and being able to use my headphones, I don't need a bunch more channels with the mixer as I am only recording acoustic songs by myself and doing over dubs .

Please Help, I am new to all of this
 
Although you'll probably want to get one eventually for more fun and possiblities, you don't need one.
 
moresound said:
The DMP3 doesn't have a headphone out jack?
Click to expand...

nope,it only has 2 balanced outputs to hook up to the emu1212

have any idea what I should do? I will buy a mixer if it is worth it, but like I said I am new to digital recording so I just don't want to get tricked into buying stuff

the emu1212 has
2 mono in's and out,
a midi in and out
and a spdif in and out

I only have one mic at the moment, that's why I was saying I don't need more channels, but I suppose it might come in handy eventually when I can afford more mics.

and if I bought a mixer(under 200$ please) how would I hook up the dmp3 and mixer to the emu1212?

any info is much appreciated
 
There are always alternatives.
I have an analog console in line and that is where I pull my headphone mixes out of.
 
Personally I like having a mixer in the chain. It makes level setting easier and also makes setting monitor mixes more flexible and convenient. However, it shouldn't be necessary.

A couple of options you could look at: First, if you can get a set if high impedance headphones, you could likely plug them into the sound card line outs--you'd have to make up an adaptor lead to feed both left and right though. You'll have to find a specialist pro shop for high impedance headphones though...most general sales people will just stare blankly.

Or, if your computer has a cheapie built in sound card with a headphone out, many DAW programmes let you specify one sound card for input and a different one for output. This might be worth looking into as a stopgap measure.

Or, you can bite the bullet and buy a mixer. If you do, make sure the one you choose actually bypasses the inbuilt mic pre-amp rather than just putting in a pad for line inputs, otherwise you don't get the full benefit of your DMP3.

Bob
 
Bobbsy said:
Personally I like having a mixer in the chain. It makes level setting easier and also makes setting monitor mixes more flexible and convenient. However, it shouldn't be necessary.

A couple of options you could look at: First, if you can get a set if high impedance headphones, you could likely plug them into the sound card line outs--you'd have to make up an adaptor lead to feed both left and right though. You'll have to find a specialist pro shop for high impedance headphones though...most general sales people will just stare blankly.

Or, if your computer has a cheapie built in sound card with a headphone out, many DAW programmes let you specify one sound card for input and a different one for output. This might be worth looking into as a stopgap measure.

Or, you can bite the bullet and buy a mixer. If you do, make sure the one you choose actually bypasses the inbuilt mic pre-amp rather than just putting in a pad for line inputs, otherwise you don't get the full benefit of your DMP3.

Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info bob, I think getting a mixer might be the way to go. Do you know any for around $200 that are decent and would allow me to bypass the built in preamps on the mixer to use the dmp3?

I saw emu1820m looks interesting , but not sure if it's in production anymore
 
DanielJoseph said:
Thanks for the info bob, I think getting a mixer might be the way to go. Do you know any for around $200 that are decent and would allow me to bypass the built in preamps on the mixer to use the dmp3?

I saw emu1820m looks interesting , but not sure if it's in production anymore
Click to expand...

I'm not sure of pricing where you are but the Yamaha MG102C might do the job for you.

The Line inputs on the mono channels still go through the mic preamps but you have a choice of either wiring a special lead to go into the Insert socket (which bypasses the preamp) or using half of one of the stereo channels (there are enough to return your EMU to the mixer and still bring your preamp in that way).

The MG102C also has a hardware compressor on the mic inputs which can be useful if your're trying to do a recording with really wide dynamics.

I've specced the Yamaha MG series in various edit suites, web cast suites etc. and they are well built and last a long time. I also talked my kids school into buying one at least 12 years ago and that's still going in a high school environment which is about as tough as it gets!

Your other option would be a Soundcraft Notepad 102 which is a lovely little mixer but, trying to check the price, I notice they're now discontinued. If you can find somebody selling one cheap because it's discontinued, snap it up!

Bob
 
Bobbsy said:
I'm not sure of pricing where you are but the Yamaha MG102C might do the job for you.

The Line inputs on the mono channels still go through the mic preamps but you have a choice of either wiring a special lead to go into the Insert socket (which bypasses the preamp) or using half of one of the stereo channels (there are enough to return your EMU to the mixer and still bring your preamp in that way).

The MG102C also has a hardware compressor on the mic inputs which can be useful if your're trying to do a recording with really wide dynamics.

I've specced the Yamaha MG series in various edit suites, web cast suites etc. and they are well built and last a long time. I also talked my kids school into buying one at least 12 years ago and that's still going in a high school environment which is about as tough as it gets!

Your other option would be a Soundcraft Notepad 102 which is a lovely little mixer but, trying to check the price, I notice they're now discontinued. If you can find somebody selling one cheap because it's discontinued, snap it up!

Bob
Click to expand...

Hey Bobbsy how it going? Thanks for all the advice you gave me about getting a mixer to hook up with my emu1212m.

I ended up getting the Yamaha MG102c mixer. Like I said I also bought a dmp3 pre amp . I know you kinda explained how to hook up the dmp3 to the Mixer to be able to bypass the mixer's pre amps, but I am a real newbie when it come to using and hooking up equipment and wouldn't have the slightest idea as far as wiring a special lead to go into the Insert socket . Would the other way be easier using half of the stero inputs? ( not exactly sure how to do that either ) I am clueless with this stuff

So if its not too much trouble I was wondering if you could tell me

- What cables I need to hook up the dmp3 to the mixer, and the mixer to the emu1212

- Whats the best way to bypass the preamps on the mixer

If you could just walk me through hooking this up I would be very grateful, thanks again..... Daniel
 
I've replied to this via the PM you sent me...hope it helps!

Bob
 
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