Trying to set up a Tascam M-208 with interface into mac....

[bending]

Hey, first time threader here.

I recently picked up a Tascam m-208 analog mixer. I am trying to hook it up to a interface and then into my Mac tower. I'm stumped.

I am trying to use either a Alesis io2 (which i'm assuming isn't a good option even if it did hook up), or M-Audio Ozone. I'm not sure either of these would work, would they? Or is this mixer not an ideal mixer, or not compatible with this setup?

If it is, what would be a inexpensive interface that would transfer from tascam mixer to my pro tools in my mac tower?

Thanks,

bending

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hey there.

Generally speaking I tell people to avoid mixers for home set ups, or any setup for that matter.
It's not that there's anything wrong with the idea; It's just that it's not necessary and can be complicated.
The exceptions would be if the mixer is of extremely high quality, or if you have a particular attachment to, or familiarity with it.



What do you plan to record? Line level sources like keyboards? Live performances through microphones?

The simplest solution for multiple discreet mic inputs is to use a multichannel audio interface with as many mic preamp equipped inputs as you require.
Something like a presonus firepod/fp10, or some of the tascam US models are ideal.
This keeps everything in one box with only a gain knob to go wrong.



If you would still like to use a mixer, the best way to get multiple simultaneous channels into your computer is to buy a multichannel line level only interface. This relies on the mixer having a line level (or direct) output per channel, or at least insert points that you can highjack.
Something like the echo audio fire 12 is a good example.
It's effectively the same thing as a firepod, but without the preamps. Your mixer would provide those.

If you just want to be able to sum your mixer channels to stereo and record that (that means no independent channel editing in Pro Tools), then any two channel interface with line inputs will do.
You'd send the mixer master outputs here, again, as long as they are line level.

The io2 appears to have line level inputs, so if you're interested in the latter solution, that io2 should do nicely.

I hope that clears things up, and welcome to the forums.

 

[bending]

Ok right on, thanks Steenamaroo

I am looking to just record live with microphones. I've used interfaces like the PreSonus you mentioned in the past, very easy to work with, but recently picked up this Tascam mixer in pristine shape for cheap- I wanted to see if the analog mixers do have that warm sound for just about any live recording/mixing. I plan to eventually go to reel to reel into mixer, but want to record ideas at home with mics.

I'll try out these options at home tonight. I am currently using Logic to record, not ProTools.

I'll let you know how it goes, thanks for the prompt response!

 

[Steenamaroo]

I plan to eventually go to reel to reel

A mixer would be ideal for a reel to reel setup, because many 8 track reel machines have line inputs.

I'll try out these options at home tonight. I am currently using Logic to record, not ProTools.

Oops. I must have made that up.


If you're recording something simple like an acoustic singer songwriter, you can get cracking, but with no more than two simultaneous mics.
I might be stating the obvious, but if you plug the mixer master outputs into your io2, then pan mixer channels 1+2 hard left and right, they will be recorded independently as channels 1+2 in logic.

Best of luck.

 

[bending]

Awesome- that helps me out. I said Protools in the original thread, that's my bad.

Also, If i'm hooking up from master outputs into i02, would I need to use the standard audio 1/4 cable red/grey chord?

 

[Steenamaroo]

Phew. I'm not losing it then.

I don't really know the mixer, but at a glance it appears to have jack and XLR stereo outputs.

The manual says they're all unbalanced, so the simplest connection would be TS (Tip and Sleeve) 1/4" jack cables.