Newbie mixing question

[Nursery_Cryme]

A couple years ago I purchased a Tascam 424MKIII and lately it's been falling apart on me so I've been thinking about purchasing a mixing console such as a Mackie 32-8 8-Bus Studio Console or something similar to that. Now, this is where I get stuck. Let's say I want to record drums (Tracks 1-10) and guitar (Track 11) together. Where do I record it to???!!! What do I have to purchase in order to record and playback my music? Do I get a DAT recorder? But, can I overdub on a DAT recorder? I would like to overdub a bass or maybe vocals. I hope you understand my question. Thanks a lot.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Hmmm.... those PortaStudio jobs are really a combination of "gear" wrapped in a convenient (but not overly great-sounding!) package.... essentially a recorder and mixer combined into one unit....

When you get into the more pricey gear, the actual components are separate... the 32*8 Mackie mixer is simply that, a mixer - it routes the signals and blends sound sources together... to record anything, you have to buy that separately - a multi-track recorder! Such as ADATs, DA-88s, hard-disk recorders or computer systems....

24-track hard-disk MDM technology is quickly replacing the tape-based modular digital multitracks, so you can get yourself a budget ADAT (8-tracks) relatively inexpensively.......
Bruce

 

[TexRoadkill]

You could also get a multi port sound card and record to your computer but still use your mixer for tracking and mixing. This would probably be the most economical and upradeable solution.

Not to knock Bear but ADAT's are pretty much on their last leg.

 

[littledog]

I think that was Bear's reason for recommending them - being on their last legs they're kind of cheap. But I would stay away from them if I was a Newbie. An old ADAT is going to require a lot of constant maintenance... better live near a good technician if you go that route. Also, sounds like in this case he would need at least two of them - so now it's not so cheap anymore.

 

[Nursery_Cryme]

So, if I was to purchase a Mackie 24-8 8-Bus Studio Console(mixer) and a Alesis ADAT HD24 Hard Disk Recorder (recorder), where, in the rear panel of the Alesis recorder, do I plug in my mixer? Also, how about a Mackie HDR24? Where I plug my mixer in at?

 

[littledog]

Just look on the back of the recorder - they all have some kind of analog inputs and outputs.

The type of connector may vary (xlr, rca, 1/4", or 25 pin) so you may need to get different cables for analog connections depending on what you end up buying.

 

[TexRoadkill]

If you are getting an entire system go to Mackie's website. They have a special this month on the D8B digital mixer and the HDR's.

 

[Nursery_Cryme]

Do I need a computer to use with an Alesis HD24 or is that optional?