? on Mixers

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n2themuzic

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Im some what new to the home studio but not to new..
So heres my thing I was thinking about purchasing a mixer. I have a friend who is selling there Mackie CFX 16 mixer for $200.. Wanted to get some thoughts.

Im using Reason 3 and Logic Express. I figured that by purchasing a mixer it would be eaiser to controll the channels rather then using a mouse to mix levels, eq's and whatever else, Ive mixed songs in the past only using the mouse and its a pain...

But anyway, any thoughts on that paticular mixer or buying a mixer in general....thanx..
 
n2themuzic said:
Im some what new to the home studio but not to new..
So heres my thing I was thinking about purchasing a mixer. I have a friend who is selling there Mackie CFX 16 mixer for $200.. Wanted to get some thoughts.

Im using Reason 3 and Logic Express. I figured that by purchasing a mixer it would be eaiser to controll the channels rather then using a mouse to mix levels, eq's and whatever else, Ive mixed songs in the past only using the mouse and its a pain...

But anyway, any thoughts on that paticular mixer or buying a mixer in general....thanx..
Click to expand...


Are you trying to control the software with the mixer? if so you need a control surface, not a mixer. can you give us a little more info about your set-up and a better explanation on what you are trying to do?
 
links would be sweet too, I'm too lazy to look it up! :p


EDIT - woot! Hello fellow Buckeye.
 
Thanks Carter...What Im using very basic:
Powerbook G4
E-MU X-Board 25
Reason 3
Logic Express

Well after doing some research i found that Im looking for a control surface not a mixer. What im trying to do is mix a song by using a control surface thats similar to a mixing board for 2 reasons:

1. The lazy reason: Using a control surface with channels would make it eaisier to mix, rather fumbling with a mouse (which my X-board does, it has 16 control knobs that Ive figured out how to assign them in reason 3).

2. The main reason: Im about to start SAE (School of Audio Engineering) in May and I would like to get a head start by fimiliarizing myself with mixing board.


Also any suggestions on hardware, where I can record my guitar into my computer and is logic express the type of software that can do that...thanx
 
Well, first off control surfaces are cool, this is what I use http://mackie.com/products/mcu/index.html the Mackie MCU, its a little expensive but well worth the money for me, there are also some cheaper alternatives, do a google search for control surfaces and you will find some just make sure that you can set it up for Logic express, I know the MCU will work with Logic.

As for a interface(to get your sounds into your recording program)depending on what your budget is I would point you in the direction of a firewire interface from M-audio http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=mobileinterfaces. and yes Logic will work. I hope this helps! ;)
 
I've not read much on Control Interfaces, are those midi specific or will they function with real time tracks (guitar, bass, drums, etc) with cakewalk?
 
Creamyapples1 said:
I've not read much on Control Interfaces, are those midi specific or will they function with real time tracks (guitar, bass, drums, etc) with cakewalk?
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I dont understand your question :confused: can you re phrase?
 
Everything that I've read so far, uses midi as a reference in the description. I don't use midi, but I use Cakewalk Homestudio 2.0XL soon to be Cakewalk Homestudio 4.0XL. I record guitars, bass, drums, stuff like that. Will the control interfaces work with those as well? Again, everything specifies midi, but it would only make sense to me that if it can control the volumes on midi tracks that it should work on any track regardless what that particular track is. If that makes sense, I'm afraid my ignorance on this particular subject limits my explanation lol
 
Creamyapples1 said:
Everything that I've read so far, uses midi as a reference in the description. I don't use midi, but I use Cakewalk Homestudio 2.0XL soon to be Cakewalk Homestudio 4.0XL. I record guitars, bass, drums, stuff like that. Will the control interfaces work with those as well? Again, everything specifies midi, but it would only make sense to me that if it can control the volumes on midi tracks that it should work on any track regardless what that particular track is. If that makes sense, I'm afraid my ignorance on this particular subject limits my explanation lol
Click to expand...


When they talk about midi its because thats how it hooks up to you computer, but it will control almost every aspect of your recording software including audio tracks, midi tracks, plug-ins, pan, arm track, solo, mute and so on! so its not just Midi. did that help you out? read the whole page in this link! http://mackie.com/products/mcu/index.html
 
Heck yeah, that's awesome! Thank You very much! Are there any "budget friendly" controlers out there?
 
The Control Surfaces use MIDI to communicate with the Recording Software. For example, when you press a key on a MIDI keyboard, it sends a MIDI message (note-on) to a MIDI tone generator (be it a standalone hardware unit or something on your PC). In a similar fashion, when you move a fader on a MIDI-based control surface, it sends a MIDI command to the recording software. The software receives this MIDI message and then increases the volume for that track. Same thing happens when you press stop, play, record, etc...

Remember - MIDI is just a language used for some device to send control messages to another device. Back in the day I had an ART rack processor for my guitar, and the footswitch used MIDI to control the rack unit.

In theory, you could design a Video editing system which uses MIDI to interface the control unit and the actual editing device. MIDI doesn't have to be related to audio or cheesy keyboard sounds!
 
Creamyapples1 said:
Heck yeah, that's awesome! Thank You very much! Are there any "budget friendly" controlers out there?
Click to expand...

Behringer BFC2000, I think its around $200.00, a little difficult to set up but it can be done, I purchased one and my lazy ass didnt want to learn how to set it up(the instructions were vauge) I took it back and added $600.00 more dollars and got the MCU, and its moreless plug and play, plug in midi cables and choose the control surface in my software and bam! all set up....

There are alot of people that have that unit(BFC2000)on this board so if you get one you will find help on setting it up.


And from your earlier post, Hello fellow Buckeye!!!!!
 
Appreciate the help, I'll have to check into it, definatly on my "to do" list.
 
You can also look for the Tascam Us-428 and the Tascam Us-228
they are pretty cheap and both work fine with any program.Just plug and play.

And you conect them via USB,check out ebay they got some use but in mint conditions.Check Here And Here

Hope this helps :)
 
Thanks for the help Carter..
I just left Guitar Center (i hate that place-I want everything but dont have the funds) anyway I check out the the control surfaces they have a few nice ones. So you like the Mackie any thoughts on the
TASCAM FW-1082 its 200 cheaper not sure on the difference yet, but they both seem like something that im looking for. Also if a get one of the control surfaces and an audio interface would I have to connect them seperate to my computer or run through midi hub or can I connect the interface to the control curface eliminating the over abundance of cables that are going to my computer...
 
I can't answer to you connectivity inquiry, but if you aren't use to an abundance of wires hanging around, you should probably get use to the idea. :)
 
n2themuzic said:
Thanks for the help Carter..
I just left Guitar Center (i hate that place-I want everything but dont have the funds) anyway I check out the the control surfaces they have a few nice ones. So you like the Mackie any thoughts on the
TASCAM FW-1082 its 200 cheaper not sure on the difference yet, but they both seem like something that im looking for. Also if a get one of the control surfaces and an audio interface would I have to connect them seperate to my computer or run through midi hub or can I connect the interface to the control curface eliminating the over abundance of cables that are going to my computer...
Click to expand...

First off the FW-1082 is a interface and a control surface combined into one! http://www.tascam.com/Products/fw1082_4.html only one firewire cable to connect to your computer, everything else connects to the FW-1082, the MCU requires a seperate audio interface thus meaning it is just a controller, if the 1082 is $200.00 cheaper that seems like a good deal and will solve all of your interface/control surface needs, the only thing I cant comment on is that I never used the Tascam so I cant vouch for the quality
 
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