Newbie, trying to setup...appreciate your thoughts

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joey jojo

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Hi, fairly new to this forum and have not found a good direction in regards to what I would like to do and would greatly applaud any help and/or suggestions. I would like to be able to record at least 6 mics at once (SM58s and SM57s, three voice and three instrument) to my computer and mix there. I was thinking of getting the Maxistudio ISIS with 8 I/O, but what do I put inbetween the mics and the ISIS? A mixer? If so, which one? Is there a pre-amp setup that could do all this? We are certainly not serious about producing "recording studio level quality" and I am on somewhat of a budget, so less expensive is truly a high priority. But I want to be able to keep the 6 inputs seperate so I can manipulate them individually on the computer. Computer horsepower is no problem and I have software which can do the job. I just need to find an inexpensive way to get the mics to the hard drive and I can go from there. Is the ISIS + mixer/pre-amp even a good idea...or is there a better all in one solution? Regardless I would like to keep whatever goes between the mics and hard drive $500 or less. Thanks in advance for any comments and you all have already taught me a lot just from reading through your posts.

I'm all out of bubblegum.
 
Ola, thanks. I'll definitely look into that Audio DSP24. I may hold up on the destroying the mixer in the music store idea ;). It would be nice to have something to play around with outside of the computer room, but then again, I need to pay the mortgage. If I were to get a mixer (new), are Behringer's the best bang for buck, or do you think there's something more reasonable out there? Thanks again for the advice and the good laugh.

Cliff, I'll let ya know if I find 2 beat to hell mixers.
 
Check out the Audio DSP24 with ADC/DAC2000 here http://www.buydigital.co.kr/digital/english/products_showcase.htm It's only $350 and I'm very happy with the sound quality on everything but the preamps. They're a bit weak and noisy. The manufacturer of the above setup also makes a more expensive verion with preamps on all eight ins but I can't vouch for the quality on thos preamps. I think you're better off with getting a eight channel mixer with as good preamps as you can afford. Then simply connect the direct outs on the mixer to your soundcard and you're all set. The good thing about this is that you can use the mixer for live gigs as well.

The ground rule is that you don't need a mixer for computer recording but I think it's the most cost effective way to get many preamps.

Maybe you can even get a damaged used mixer dirt cheap. You only need the preamps and the direct out to work but it doesn't matter it the EQ, routing, faders or whatever else is broken. The only problem would be that you can't use it for live gigs.

So, the DSP24 + ADC/DAC2000 for $350 (+$50 for shipping) and a beat up mixer for some $50 would probably be the best way to get 8 I/O with preamps and the whole shebang. Cheap enough? :)

Good luck

/Ola
 
If you find a beat up mixer with decent preamps for $50, let me know if they have two because I want one.
 
You could of course just go in to your least favourite music store and wreck a mixer when no one is watching. Then offer to take the piece of crap off their hands for say, $50 :) They'll probably trow in some cable in the deal just because of your kindness.
 
As far as I've gathered, Behringer is pretty good value but it all comes down to what you like in sound. Some like transparent while other want the sound to be coloured by the preamps. I've heard people swear by Behringer and other people swear at them. Have a listen and see what you like.

You can also look in to small rack mounted mixers like Alesis' Studio 12R (http://www.alesis.com/products/studio12r/) However, I do not promote this particular mixer nor advise against it as I've never heard it. I read something about it on this BBS but I cannot remember even if it was for or against it. This is just one of many similar mixers so make sure you check out several.

Good luck

/Ola
 
Hi joey jojo

I own a Maxi Studio ISIS and a Behringer 1602a Mixer.......if you want quite pre amps both the ISIS and B/r's got them.
And if you didnt want to buy a outboard mixer no probs cos the ISIS has about 13 of em in software and comes with Emagic Logic Audio with 26 Plug-in Effects and you can manipulate tracks manualy on open them in another editor while the Wav is assighned to a Track in Logic,also an ART Tube Mic Preamp would be a better altenative to putting a Mixer in front of the Mics if your on a budget cos the B/r doesnt do a whole lot compared to what you can do after its on disk.....

Tony
 
Thanks guys. Some great ideas!

Ola, that Alesis 12R looks like a great option. Maybe more than I actually need...but then again, wants and needs are two different beasts. Another option (again, cost being a motivating factor) I was looking into was a Behringer MX2004A, with 8 XLR inputs. Would I be able to use the 8 channel inserts on this mixer as the direct outs? There is about $70 difference between the Alesis and the Behringer. Also, in regards to cables (mixer to breakout box), any recommendations? By the way, spent a lot of the weekend looking for a "used/broken" mixer and no luck. I thought about beating up a really nice Spirit mixer ($1000 new), but then figured it would probably still be out of my price range busted up and placed it gently and ever so carefully back on the rack...besides, the music store guy was giving me the evil eye the whole time I was there and likely would have found me out :).

Hey Tutton,
Thanks for the ideas. Good to hear the ISIS is working for ya'. Looked into the ART preamps earlier then nixed the idea given that it would cost me at least $400 for 6 of them and I may as well get a mixer thrown in for less money. On the wayside, I may be in Australia in the Fall (your spring) to work if everything works out OK.

Again, I apologize for how naive all my questions are...but it truly is embarassing how new I am to all this stuff.
 
First of all, appology ignored. This forum is meant to help us all to better knowledge. I wasn't born with my scarce knowledge about computer recoring. I ask questions and I do my homework. There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who don't want to learn :)

Anyway, The MX2004A looks like a neat little mixer and if you like the preamps, go for it. I'm not sure about "Would I be able to use the 8 channel inserts on this mixer as the direct outs". You should be able to route the aux sends to your soundcard. Anyone else care to clarify?

About the cables, just keep them short and clean and you should be fine.

/Ola
 
Hi joey jojo
Took me long enough to get the damn thing(ISIS) sorted out believe me.. :)

Tony
 
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