Sorry guys, but I'm confused.

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Horenulas

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Well alright here's my problem. I'm recording with my band this weekend. My friend has a mixer, but I think it's pretty damn cheap. We have mics, my computer, and recording software. What else do I need? The interface to hook the mixer to the computer? Also, do I need a pre amp? I really don't understand what I need and I've read and searched just about all the help threads so far. Thanks in advance guys.
 
Horenulas said:
Well alright here's my problem. I'm recording with my band this weekend. My friend has a mixer, but I think it's pretty damn cheap. We have mics, my computer, and recording software. What else do I need? The interface to hook the mixer to the computer? Also, do I need a pre amp? I really don't understand what I need and I've read and searched just about all the help threads so far. Thanks in advance guys.
Click to expand...

is your friends mixer powered or passive
 
I don't know whats the difference? He told me that it was only like $100 yeah I know sad, but its all we have for now. We aren't going for good quality really.
 
You may already have preamps built into the mixer, but you'll need some type of computer interface. There are external interfaces that work via USB or FireWire, and there are PCI cards that plug inside the the computer - all types have advantages and disadvantages.
M-Audio and Tascam make some fairly inexpensive interfaces - for specs you can check their websites, or go to a site like Zzounds, and look around the computer interfaces to get an idea of prices, etc.
Welcome to the board!
 
a powered mixer has a amplifier contained in it and this can power speakers, a passive mixer needs an external amplification source which will then link to speakers. (what make and model is it).
 
whyseye said:
You may already have preamps built into the mixer, but you'll need some type of computer interface. There are external interfaces that work via USB or FireWire, and there are PCI cards that plug inside the the computer - all types have advantages and disadvantages.
M-Audio and Tascam make some fairly inexpensive interfaces - for specs you can check their websites, or go to a site like Zzounds, and look around the computer interfaces to get an idea of prices, etc.
Welcome to the board!
Click to expand...

Ok thanks a lot. I knew about the interface already I just wasn't sure if the mixers could have preamps or what not. Thanks man.
 
Horenulas said:
Ok thanks a lot. I knew about the interface already I just wasn't sure if the mixers could have preamps or what not. Thanks man.
Click to expand...
If there's no preamp in the mixer, some of the interfaces have 'em, like the M-Audio MobilePre USB. I don't use it, so I can't speak from experience, but it seems like a reasonable all-in-one solution for not too much money.
 
tangerine said:
a powered mixer has a amplifier contained in it and this can power speakers, a passive mixer needs an external amplification source which will then link to speakers. (what make and model is it).
Click to expand...

Ok cool. I'll find out if it is powered or not.
 
sounds like the interface is the main thing you need. You'll need a preamp for each mic but your mixer should have mic preamps. What's the make and model?

It depends on your budget but ideally you want an interface with enough inputs to cope with the number of tracks you need to record simultaneously, so if you want to record a full band live that's a lot of ins. Do you like to record pretty much live or are you happy to build tracks up with overdubs?

The other alternative is to plug everything into the mixer and record as you play mixing 'on the fly' from a stereo out on the mixer to a soundcard with just 2 inputs. This isn't recommended though as you'll just be left with a stereo track in the comp and you won't be able to adjust levels, pan, process individual tracks etc.

So what's your budget and how would you like to record?
 
Horenulas said:
Ok thanks a lot. I knew about the interface already I just wasn't sure if the mixers could have preamps or what not. Thanks man.
Click to expand...
careful it's not a powered mixer cause if you plug it into PC from the L and R out and turn it up you're going to put one hell of a spike of energy through your interface. To be on the safe side I'd use an aux send until you know what type of mixer it is.
 
I pretty much just want to record as cheap as possible. I would like to record the whole band at once. We aren't using like a set of drum mics, etc. I think we'll be using like 5 or 6 regular mics for the whole band at once. How would I go about this?
 
Horenulas said:
I pretty much just want to record as cheap as possible. I would like to record the whole band at once. We aren't using like a set of drum mics, etc. I think we'll be using like 5 or 6 regular mics for the whole band at once. How would I go about this?
Click to expand...

D I Direct inject the bass this will free up a mic for other instruments
 
Horenulas said:
How would I do this?
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On your bass players amp their should be a direct output socket, some are XLR (Cannon) some are 1/4 jack. Take a line out from this output socket and put it into an input channel on the mixer.
ps how many are in the band.
 
So what's the cheapest interface out there that would suit my needs?
 
Horenulas said:
So what's the cheapest interface out there that would suit my needs?
Click to expand...
How much have you got to spend and what quality are you looking for and what software are you going to use
 
tangerine said:
How much have you got to spend and what quality are you looking for and what software are you going to use
Click to expand...

I really don't know the price range, but not much at all. I will be using Cubase SX.
 
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