Using mixers with soundcards

[amos_joseph]

I've been looking into getting a Computer recording system (probably an Aardvark 24) and I was wondering if a mixer would be needed to send signals to the card, or if the card itself can handle a line level signal from a mic or an amplifier line out. I know this is probably a dumb question, but I'm just getting into home recording and I don't know very much.

 

[Adrian]

Whether you need a mixer depends on what inputs your card has and whether your inputting Mics or lines. Aardvark makes (made?) a Direct Pro that had Mic inputs built in. Most cards just have 1/4" line inputs which you'd send outputs from your mixer. Depending on what kind of Mic you're using, you might be able to get away with using an XLR to 1/4" adapter or Impedence Transformer and going straight into the card. But a mixer would give you a better sound because of the pre-amps. You can probably use just a pre-amp (Like an ART Tube MP) straight into the card too. If you have a condenser Mic that requires Phantom power you'll need to use a mixer or Pre-amp.

There are lots of different possibilities, I'm only just getting into this myself. hope that helps.