Setting up a "studio" in my basement, need help

[skubz]

I've been recording music for about two years, but mostly I record vocals and acoustic guitar. I understand that recording in a basement won't give me the best sound ever, but that's not what I'm shooting for -- I'm perfectly fine with a mediocre sound. I've been wanting to set up something so I can record my drum kit and possibly bass/electric guitar also, but I'm running into quite a few questions.

So far, I've been recording into a condenser mic using my Toneport UX2, and it has done the job well enough for now, but now I will be adding many more microphones and such so I need to upgrade.

What I have are 3 condenser mics, and I just bought a Nady DMK-5 (Drum mics). I was thinking about connecting all of these to a mixer and recording one track at a time (for example, ALL the drum mics at one time, 2 mics for a guitar at one time, 1 or 2 mics for vocals, etc).

I'm not sure what kind of mixer to get though. It does not have to be an amazing mixer and I'm not made of money, but I don't want to keep switching cables every time I want to record something else. I much rather just silence some channels and record with some to get a track done.

I saw a used Behringer mixer at a music shop yesterday that had 5 XLR inputs and I THINK it had a few more normal 1/4th inch inputs right next to the XLRs. Would the drum mics work if connected to the 1/4th inputs?

Sorry for the long, confusing post, I'll clarify anything I need to.

Thanks!

 

[Nightfire]

Generally, XLR inputs have preamps. Preamps amplify the low volume signal coming from your mics.
The 1/4 inch inputs on the mixer do not have preamps. If you use those to plug in your mics you will get a very low volume signal, and there is no phantom power for condensors either.
Your best bet is to look for an audio interface that will allow you to record 6 or more tracks at a time via Firewire or USB 2.0 (preferably FireWire).


Mike

 

[drossfile]

I've been recording music for about two years, but mostly I record vocals and acoustic guitar. I understand that recording in a basement won't give me the best sound ever, but that's not what I'm shooting for -- I'm perfectly fine with a mediocre sound. I've been wanting to set up something so I can record my drum kit and possibly bass/electric guitar also, but I'm running into quite a few questions.

So far, I've been recording into a condenser mic using my Toneport UX2, and it has done the job well enough for now, but now I will be adding many more microphones and such so I need to upgrade.

What I have are 3 condenser mics, and I just bought a Nady DMK-5 (Drum mics). I was thinking about connecting all of these to a mixer and recording one track at a time (for example, ALL the drum mics at one time, 2 mics for a guitar at one time, 1 or 2 mics for vocals, etc).

I'm not sure what kind of mixer to get though. It does not have to be an amazing mixer and I'm not made of money, but I don't want to keep switching cables every time I want to record something else. I much rather just silence some channels and record with some to get a track done.

I saw a used Behringer mixer at a music shop yesterday that had 5 XLR inputs and I THINK it had a few more normal 1/4th inch inputs right next to the XLRs. Would the drum mics work if connected to the 1/4th inputs?

Sorry for the long, confusing post, I'll clarify anything I need to.

Thanks!

check your pm box.

 

[Squiksilvery]

Your answers are here: www.presonus.com

 

[drossfile]

check your pm box.

..........

 

[drossfile]

to answer your question, though--nightfire is correct on the 1/4" inputs. those are "line" inputs as opposed to "mic" inputs. line level signals have already been preamplified, mic levels have not. and, as mentioned, no phantom power on the line input.

good luck!

 

[Squiksilvery]

...a presonus FP10 has 8 preamps, and is an audio interface! Need more inputs at once, get another one! 16 simultaneous mics, add a BCF2000 control surface and a good set of monitor speakers and your dancing!

 

[jarrydee]

..........

That's the same mixer I have ..I haven't used it in a few years but it does still work..and it did the job I needed it to!!