Separate Pres vs Multi-track pres

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bongo Boy
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Bongo Boy

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Duh...I'm basically an idiot or I wouldn't be here. Okay okay.

To constrain this dumb ass question, imagine I have from 1 to 4 instrument mics as my ONLY source of musical input. Okay, imagine each mic is aimed at the head of a conga, for example.

So let's say I buy a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro mixer, because it's there in the store and I need a mic pre with a headphone amp that most folks don't think sucks.

Then later, suppose I buy a recorder that's somewhere between a $600 unit and a D1600.

I don't get it. Why (and how) would I continue to use the mixer, as opposed to plugging the mics into the multi-track?

And is the answer differnt if instead of the 1202, I bought the little $99 Behringer 8-channel mixer?

All I want to end up with is a decent CD recording of conga solos using from 2 to 4 congas.

I'm so new I don't know a) what I'm trying to accomplish, b) what the hell it takes to accomplish it, and c) how to ask the question.
 
DAW would probably work better

The main thing to keep in mind is the quality of your signal chain when you record. If you went the way of using your computer to do your recording, I believe it would be more flexible than dumping the cash into a standalone recorder.

For half the money of the D1600, you could buy recording/editing software for your computer (~$250). In addition, you could get a great soundcard dedicated to audio for your computer (~$150-700 depending on how many I/O connections you need) and still get the Mackie 1202 VLZ-Pro.

Just my 2 cents.

Dick
 
A DAW would work better, assuming you have a powerful enough computer. I would say that to make decent 16 track recordings you would need at least a 800mhz processer and 128 megs of RAM.
 
Recording percussion instruments is actually much more demanding on the preamp and compressors. Most preamps on multitracks suck. Get a good 2 channel pre and compressor if you are doing stereo and you should be fine. The mackie is fine but if you are only doing the conga's then you might be better putting that money into dedicated pre's and comps.
 
Good point Tex

If it's only congas, then the Mackie probably would be overkill. A good mic pre is key here, as well as decent mics for the drums. Demo as many as you can in your local music store. My experience on micing drums is non-existent so I'll leave that for a drum guru to help.

Dick
 
Are you guys going to believe that your answers have generated (at least) 3 new questions?

1. Is the term DAW reserved for describing PC (or Mac) based software (and soundcard) systems only? Until now I thought "DAW" and "multitrack" were close to the same thing--that is, all DAWs are multitrack recorders, most multitracks are DAWs.

2. My understanding is most software is safest to use only on a PC dedicated for recording, and I'd think you'd really want to have the PC in the studio (as opposed to say, two floors above the studio). So I'm thinking most folks buy a machine to dedicate to recording. Is this all pretty much accurate?

Right now, to limit expenses, all I REALLY wanted was something I can plug both a mic and phones into to monitor the drums without dorking up my ears. But, I'd like one piece of gear that I can plug 4 mics into when I have 3 drums and cowbell/clave, etc. I have not seen any 'cheap' way to do this, since it doesn't make much sense to put a headphone amp on a dedicated 2-channel pre. So this is why I was going down the mixer road in the first place. Oh, question 3:

3. Are you suggesting I don't really need to mic each drum, but just use 2 mics into say, a stereo comp? Aren't I into well over $400 by now, and still with no way to hear what I'm doing?
 
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Re: Good point Tex

Evildick said:
If it's only congas, then the Mackie probably would be overkill. A good mic pre is key here...

Dick
Click to expand...

Okay, but assume I need 3 or 4 pres if I'm dedicating one mic per percussive item. I can't find a cheaper way to get 3 or 4 decent pres for anywhere near as cheap as the Mackie, PLUS it provides a way for me to actually listen to the entire setup. I'm starting to feel I'm missing Something Big here.

Finally, I was also thinking that the 1202 would allow me to at least reduce (if not eliminate) the high frequency ringing of my drums--not for quality recording purposes, just for live monitoring so it doesn't irritate the crap out of me.

As for demoing anything in the store, I think that's good advice, but it's NEVER going to happen! I'd just grab SM57s or D2s based on a) price, and b) folks use 'em on drums.
 
I'm biased towards the Mackie mixers

I think the mic pres on the new Mackie VLZ-Pro boards are great, don't get me wrong. One nice thing about the Mackie board is that you can use the channel inserts off the tracks to go directly to a DAW for a clean "dry" (pre EQ, pre Fader)signal. Then you can mess around with plugins or whatever and re-route those tracks into the additional stereo tracks for a final mixdown using both the main-outs and the Alt 3-4 outs.

I just wanted to make sure you understand the flexibility of the mixer and the fact that if you use your computer to record, there is no need to buy the D1600 or equivalent. Everything is right there in your computer, and the Mackie will do more than suffice.

From what I understand, most people get mixers along with their DAW's because it's easier to slide faders and deal with EQ manually as opposed to using a mouse. I'm one of those people because I lose touch with what the music is doing using a mouse on a software mixer. To each his own. :)

Dick
 
The issues you REALLY need to consider are the main signal chain. The recorder is important but pretty much secondary if you are using digital.

You will get better results using 1 good mic and preamp/compressor than using 4 mediocre mics and pre's.

Whatever you use for recording will have a monitor output and many home mic pre's have them also. I think you need to look at your ultimate goal for your recording setup. Dont think "get small now and just add on later". If you can take the time and plan your "ultimate" setup than you can slowly piece it together instead of buying something that works for now but will be replaced shortly down the road.

A mixer will definately give you the most flexibility so if you need to monitor now and want more inputs for later that is probably a good choice to start off with. You can get a sweet pre later on if that is what you decide you need. But if you ONLY are doing conga's than seriously consider the preamp solution.
 
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