Using a Mixer as my Audio Interface

  • Thread starter Thread starter Art Andrews
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Art Andrews

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I am just getting started and have a Mackie ProFX8V2 which includes a USB connector. I am ONLY recording vocals and it is my understanding that a mixer is limited to one stereo track. Is there any reason I can't/shouldn't use the mixer as my audio interface? I have used it with Audacity and that seemed to work just fine. I am now testing with Pro Tools First, but wanted to make sure there isn't something else I am missing as it seems most people don't use a mixer as their audio interface.

Thanks for your time and help in getting me started!
 
There's a whole thread here about using a mixer as an interface: Mixers and Home Recording

But to quickly answer, yes you can, however, your monitoring options may be limited (i.e. there may be latency - but this won't be much of an issue if you are simply recording a single vocal track over a prerecorded music track)) and you will only be able to record in 16 bit due to the USB converter in the mixer.
 
Yes, a mixer is a different beast to an AI but very similar to a basic 2 in 2 out interface but with some additional facilities. Pan, never get that on an AI , also EQ athough it is usually better to record "dry" as you cannot really undo the recorded effect. Handy though to roll off the extreme bass, few AIs give you a High Pass Filter. Cuts the LF crud!

As Mike said, it is a 16 bit only converter and in Windows this can be a problem in that you get a low level "whine" recorded at about 1kHz plus harmonics. It is usually possible to set the gain in Win Sounds to reduce this to inaudiblity for most purposes. Then of course I have not tried that Mackie nor read of this problem with one so you could be lucky! Other than the whine, 16 bit systems are fine for recording, you just have to be a little more careful over levels.

Should you decide to get a 24 bit AI in the future, DON'T sell the mixer! You will get naff all for it and they can be very useful. Talk back, monitor controller, door stop..

Playing silly buggers again. That "do you want to leave this page" bllx. Is it me, firefox or HR?

Dave.
 
Thanks, guys. Sorry I missed that stuck thread on mixers. It was a great read. As I am brand new to all of this, I am going to give the mixer a shot as I get my feet wet and go from there.
 
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