Which mixer???

[tomingram]

I would like to record my piano playing onto CD's in my home. I do have a CD burner on my computer, but I would like to know if it would be easier and/or less expensive to just by a stand alone CD writer like those made by panasonic or pioneer or some brand like that. I think i will need some type of mixer to support the 2 microphones I will be using to do it in stereo sound. I do not have any experience in proffesional audio equipment like this, and would like to know whether it is very neccesary to use a digital mixer to record onto CD's, and what would the advantages be of using a digital mixer? What would be a good mixer for me (how many channels, features, etc.)? Also, would most mixers be compatible with CD writers, and would i need aditional equipment to use the CD writer on my computer?

 

[Scinx]

You need something to record onto before you burn the CD. If your computer is decent - you should pick up a preamp (perhaps an AudioBuddy http://www.m-audio.net/products/m-audio/audibudy.php ) and just record on the Computer.
If you buy a mixer - and you are only using two tracks - you only need a couple channels.
There really isnt a point in getting a standalone CD burner though - at least not that I can see.

I think there are millions of ways to actually do this - the above is prolly the most common around here...

 

[sloop]

I have to disagree

You need something to record onto before you burn the CD. If your computer is decent - you should pick up a preamp (perhaps an AudioBuddy http://www.m-audio.net/products/m-audio/audibudy.php ) and just record on the Computer.
If you buy a mixer - and you are only using two tracks - you only need a couple channels.
There really isnt a point in getting a standalone CD burner though - at least not that I can see.

I think there are millions of ways to actually do this - the above is prolly the most common around here...

I have done many recordings direct to 2 track and they sound excellent. Granted you are not going to remix them so you better like what you are laying down. I often record at home, vocals and guitar direct to stereo. I have also done piano, live bands etc this way.

If you watch what you are doing it works quite well and you don't have to screw around with a re-mix.

To answer the original question. I would get something along the lines of a Mackie 1202. Works OK, just don't push the preamps too hard.

 

[Fela]

If you are recording piano and it is always going to be just two channels just buy a two channel preamp and use that to boost signal to Line level to be recorded on the computer or what not. A good two channel preamp can be had for much less than a Mackie 1202 and the gain stage will be WAY cleaner.

Another thing you could do is be a cheap 4 track hard disk recorder that supplies phantom power and record the whole shebang with that.

 

[tdukex]

This is what I'd do on a budget:

Soundcard: M-Audio Audiophile $149
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=7587&Category=Audio_Interfaces

Dual channel preamp: FMR Audio RNP ($475) or M-Audio DMP3 ($199 or less--I paid $120 at GC).
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10268&Category=Audio_Processors

Microphones: 2 Oktava MC012 ($75-$100 ea) or 2 Marshall MXL603s ($75-$100 ea).
http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6450&Category=Microphones

Recording software: N-track Studio ($45)
http://www.fasoft.com

2 good mic cables ($20 - $25 ea).

Use your existing CD burner.