will I need a preamp or??

[Liam Brown]

ok I seriously have no idea what I am doing
I have a 13" MacBook Pro and a 12channel Carillon mixer, I'm planning on just doing some drum covers ect just using good ol' GarageBand.
So will I need a Preamp between the mixer and my computer?
Thanks ))

 

[Bobbsy]

Your mixer will contain at least some pre amps (how many depending on the model) though I have no idea of the quality.

However, what you WILL need is an Audio Interface to sit between your mixer and your computer--most people use the interface both as a pre amp and analogue to digital converter. You'll just need the A to D part.

Okay, in the interest of honesty, with the proper adaptor cable you COULD just plug the mixer into the audio input of the MBP--but I've yet to hear an inbuilt sound card (including Macs) that wasn't an absolute crap in terms of noise, clipping, etc. The audio in on the MBP (least the ones I've seen) is a basic mono one as part of the headphone out socket so, basically, useless for anything more the Skyping your friends.

 

[mjbphotos]

Read this sticky thread about mixers and recording.

 

[ecc83]

Tell us the exact model number of the mixer then it will be possible to get more information.
AFAICS they are fairly standard Chinese fare, Mackie/Behringer stamp, i.e. not at all bad!

If you wanted a cheap and quick solution buy a Beringer UCA 202 interface. These are WAY better than onboard soundcards, just keep the levels well below clipping, around -8dB max but I don't know macs.

Dave.