strange question

  • Thread starter Thread starter polarity
  • Start date Start date
P

polarity

New member
Not sure if this is the right place to ask.

I have 0 mixer. My band has a nice basement for practice but again no mixer so it's just kinda everything at volume. I have a chance to buy a fostex 450 mixer in perfect shape with it's manual for $100. I was thinking it might work but I can't even find a ton of info on this mixer I'm guessing it's that old.

I was also curious about the preamps it has, were they known to be clean or horrible cause I could always use it for pres intead of my mobile pre which from reading does have noisy pre's.

Any input would be appreciated
 
What are you recording to...a DAW/computer?

If yes...a mixer isn't going to be of much value unless you need to sub-mix mics due to lack of sufficient inputs on your DAW interface. Of course, if you do that, then whatever mics are sub-mixed will remain sub-mixed in the DAW.

If you have enough DAW interface inputs and/or you will use what you have in turn, doing overdubs...then you really have little use for mixer...other than to maybe use it as cue mix for headphones, but that too will depend on your interface/DAW routing capability.

What exactly to you feel that you need the mixer for?
 
I am recording into a PC (one with mixcraft and a mac with Logic). I do only have a mobile pre so 2 inputs, this would allow me to mic a drum kit and at least get it recorded. Also I was thinking the preamps on the mixer might be of a much better quality which could possibly help with clean signal even on the mics.

The other plan was for the live practices though, a way to turn up the vocals, down the guitars, etc since we have no mixing board there at all, not even to record just for clarity in practice honestly.
 
It should work for that then....

Some folks think a mixer will give them more inputs into their 2-channel DAW interface...:)...you obvioulsy understand that it won't...that's all I was checking.
 
Thanks miroslav, I know it was a fairly basic question and at a $100 I almost cant lose no matter what but always better to ask. +rep for the help
 
You can always find some uses for a small mixer...they come in handy even if they may not be stellar audio quality.
$100...decent working condition... :cool:
 
Yeah I'm trying to do some googleing about the quality of the preamps in that thing, as massive as it is and as big as they seemed to be back in the day, I'm guessing they could actually sound awesome =) either way it's worth the $100 gamble

thanks
 
I had a Fostex 450, the 8-channel version. For 8 channels it's a pretty big mixer, too big to rack mount. The eq is only 3-band but it does have sweepable lows and mids. It is a 4-bus design. There is no direct routing to the main mix so you have to route through a bus. The assign switch is a three-way toggle: 1-2, off, 3-4. Inserts are on RCA connectors and have jumpers to complete the circuit when no processing is inserted. I'm pretty sure it had direct outs, tape ins and the related switching on each channel for recording. That could be handy if you get an interface with more inputs. I doubt the preamps are anything spectacular and I'd be nervous about a board that old.
 
The preamps is fine. Nothing spectacular, but definitely won't ruin anything either. Go for it.
 
The 450 came in 2 input sizes - 8 and 16. It's a 4-buss unit with direct outs on every input strip. It is a very versatile mixer. The pre amps are ok but nothing super. Probably no better or worse than what you have now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top