Need some pointers on mixers.

[phoenixG]

Right I have a delta 2496 S/C and a 2x2 midiman anniversary addition and a Yamaha NP30. Have had these for awhile.

The NP30 is used as midi at the moment. The purpose for which I bought it was just to practice the piano and to get back in to the swing of things. Since the last time I played an instrument (violin, clarinet, piano) was just under 9 years ago. I'm now 24.

I will be purchasing over the next 6 or so months, a bunch of hardware i.e Motif XS6/XF6, Korg R3, an mpc, and a guitar among other bits and bobs as required.

I've got some version of cubase le or ai or something of the sort but may upgrade to cubase 5,

Since I will be recording audio, I will need a mixer (correct)?

I was going to purchase the Tascam M-164UF. To my understanding it allows all 16 inputs to be recorded to their own track.

LEt me just get one thing straight, I do not want to have to purchase a new mixer any time soon. So what I get needs to be some what future proof.

If I've got the idea wrong feel free to school me.

 

[FunkDaddy]

Since I will be recording audio, I will need a mixer (correct)?

Incorrect. Mixers do have their uses but I don't think you'll find one within your planned setup. You can plug straight into your XLR inputs on the Delta. The 8, 16, whatever inputs you get with a mixer will have to be bounced down to a stereo mix to send to that card anyways. (You'd need a 8 input interface to use 8 seperate channels and even then you could still plug straight into the interface with no need for a mixer)

I'd recommend checking out softsynths before you buy a Motif. Though I do use the on-board sounds of my Fantom quite a bit still, I don't think I'd be frantic if it mysteriously transformed into a MIDI controller. The sequencers on-board professional workstation keyboards are basically rendered obsolete when using a PC DAW, in my opinion. The Korg R3 could be a fun toy.

I'd also take a look at Maschine before you plunk down for an MPC. For my money, it makes the MPC/MV machines look like antiques.

 

[phoenixG]

The 2496 only has S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O.

IMG: http://www.core-sound.com/audiophile_2496/audiophile_2496.jpg

 

[phoenixG]

anyone...?

 

[FunkDaddy]

Well in that case before you go buying an MPC or Motif, I'd upgrade to a more versatile interface.

 

[Racherik]

I love my Phonic Helix 18 Universal tied together with the DAW software Reaper. Bang for the buck it's tough to beat.

If I could have found one at the time I might have considered a used Yamaha 01x off of ebay instead.


Racherik

 

[phoenixG]

Well in that case before you go buying an MPC or Motif, I'd upgrade to a more versatile interface.

That's why I was going to purchase the Tascam because I read it is/has a audio interface. Or, am I wrong in understanding what you mean't?

 

[FunkDaddy]

That's why I was going to purchase the Tascam because I read it is/has a audio interface. Or, am I wrong in understanding what you mean't?

You're right. It has USB 2.0 connectivity.

 

[phoenixG]

You're right. It has USB 2.0 connectivity.

Thanks for your help.

 

[stealth_prod]

Im going to assume your making beats? Just wondering?

What you want to be careful about USB, is the more tracks you record at the same time, the more unstable it COULD get. Multi-tracking on USB has been proven pretty difficult. If your going to tracking this way then I suggest you consider Firewire. There are some digitial mixers and some control surfaces/interfaces that may help more with multi-tracking. Especially because you may double (or more) the time it takes when you are tracking seperate instruments playing in sync. It can be a tough venture for USB. Two cents. Good luck.

 

[phoenixG]

Some r&b and hip hop.

 

[phoenixG]

One more question if you don't mind.

Knowing you have a sound card like the the Delta 2496, would you just get a mixer like the MAckie 1402 that you could use with it instead of making the card obsolete? or would you still opt to get a better audio interface or audio interface/mixer?

I don't know what I'm doing any more.

 

[stealth_prod]

I think it depends on what you can sacrifice. You are limiting to the inputs of the 2496. So if your trying to record say 8 outputs from the MPC, your not going to be able to track seperately. A mixer is not going to change that. The interface is what determines how many inputs you can track at the same time. So basically you have to decide what you NEED. Just remember, especially with beats, and hardware, you will need to run MIDI to make sure everything stays in sync.

There are alot of ways of doing this, so basically you will have to figure out what you NEED. But as I mentioned earlier, the more inputs you are tracking at the same time the more unstable USB can get. Look into some Firewire interfaces. Firestudio I think is one. There are plenty out there, just make sure you read before purchasing.