quick question

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I have a local band that practices at their house in a smallish room. Between all of us we have about 6 condenser mics, 2 sure 57s, a sienhauser(sp), and a couple other misc mics. My input only has the 2 with phantom power and then i guess 2 line level inputs. If we wanted to try properly mic'ing them and recording them on my setup could I get a cheap(ish) mixer with 8 inputs, run my vocals and backup vocals into my 2 main inputs, put the rest into the mixer and then run then run the mixer into the line level?

Please excuse the ignorance, just trying to understand the best way I could use with a limited budget to help these guys out. I could go out and spend a couple hundred dollars more locally to but a few more pieces if needed, but need to keep the cost lower.

Any suggestions or is this plan doomed from inception?
 
You have it sussed.

You could have vocals into input 1+2, then the sum of a mixer into your other line inputs.

They keyword there is sum though. You won't be able to manipulate any of the tracks that went through the mixer afterwards.
 
Yeah I was thinking if I could somehow magically use the mixer to get the sounds right from the drums/bass/lead guitar and have clean vocals maybe I could make it work?

I didn't start recording for this purpose but a friend asked if I was willing to try and help.... Hell I don't even have a mixer so I was going to run up to guitar center and see if I could pick something up locally?

Any better options you could think of, maybe some type of interface with more direct inputs that's only $200 or so? I know I'm asking for a million dollar answer on a $200 budget.. Didn't want to dip into my studio budget for this though
 
One more question, inside my DAW when selecting input I have Stereo, Left, & Right. Which gives me the XLR inputs with phantom power. How would I select the line level inputs ont he bak
 
What interface is it?

If your daw only shows left and right, there's a chance that those line inputs aren't actually 3rd and 4th channels.
They may just be alternative input types for channels 1+2.

Most compact interfaces will have mic or line per channel.
 
Steenamaroo said:
What interface is it?

If your daw only shows left and right, there's a chance that those line inputs aren't actually 3rd and 4th channels.
They may just be alternative input types for channels 1+2.

Most compact interfaces will have mic or line per channel.
Click to expand...

A real good chance I'd say....

I think if you're going to spend money at all, get something that is useful to you as a recorder, not just them as a band, so some type of cheapish 4-8 input interface would be where I'd be looking...
 
It's just the m-audio mobile pre. I bought it so I could record my vocals and acoustic guitar.. but trying to help them out I wasn't sure if I could find a way to use what I have buy a little ore and make it work
 
Sorry, it seems like it's a two channel interface. You can use mic or line, but not both.

I'd second the above advice. If you're likely to want more channels in the future, a 4-8 channel interface is a good idea.
 
Would you advise the mixer into interface option or the better interface. Got a friend that has an older Fostex Mixer (24 channel i think) that he wants me to buy but I've never had a use for it.. I could technically I could use all my inputs there, mix on the console and throw it into the line in and go from there, but very limited options in the DAW that that point...

Any thoughts?
 
It depends what you want, I suppose, but for me the interface wins every time.

Image recording stacks of perfect takes, then realising the kick is buried or the snare is dull or something.
 
that was exactly my thought, but I was trying to help these guys out.. Thanks for helping keep me on the straight and narrow fellows, I do appreacite it.

hope you both enjoy your weekends
 
S'all good.

Helping people out is good; It builds your name and reputation, but no one will thank you for a free job if it's a bad job. ;)
 
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