Hi all, I have been looking around at some small mixers for recording acoustic or vocal, but adding EQ before the computer.
I have seen e.g. a Behringer 502 model with and without USB.
I assume the model with USB would act as the audio interface, and the non USB model could connect to the line of the audio interface?
I would like to have the option of connecting a synth using a stereo output potentially as well.
Any advice on what to buy? A USB version? Non USB mixer? Mackie have some basic ones as well, so I am thinking one or the other. Nothing fancy needed.
I can't see how to connect the non USB Behringer 502 for example...
Comments
As for a small mixer, I use a little Mackie 402 (which I think was recommended here). Works like a charm and has the mic/line/guitar and stereo line for a synth, too. I have line outs running to the stereo audio interface and the audio interface's outputs run to the monitors.
I used a Soundcraft 12MTK for a couple of years, but its not small. I recently changed to an interface in the form of a Focusrite 18i20. I miss the sliders and EQ (though mainly the EQ was used when p[laying straight into mixer then to monitors not recording) BUT its more streamlined and elegant solution.
If your not bothered about pre recorded EQ - Id go for a Focusrite 2i2 giving you a stereo in option - or a 4i4 if you want to permanently have the synth connected while still playing guitar/vox. If you want a mixer - you need to decide if your just sending a stereo feed from the main outs - or if you want to record individual tracks together. Some USB mixers can do the latter all will do the former (and why I went with the MTK12 over the Yamaha MG12)
I don’t have monitors currently .
While a lot of classic recordings (and great records made nowadays) commited to a sound on the way in, but it's a little different when you're in a great sounding room and tracking a U47 through a Neve pre in to a Pultec EQ and an 1176 limiter.
I'm a big fan of the method, but it only really works if the stuff you pass through on the way in sounds bloody great to start with!
I may find that I prefer in the box mixing in the end, but this was such a good price that I don't think I'll lose out if I let it go.
Aim to record the best quality of whatever you want to capture, if you need more than 2 simultaneous inputs, you will be hard pushed to get better bang for your buck than a Zoom R16, acts as a stand alone recorder or an 8 input interface to record into a DAW.
Not the best converters, but it covers a lot of ground for not much money, very versatile.
If you start to record by building up tracks from something like a Scarlett 2i2, you will soon come across the problems latency introduce, and that will quickly reveal any shortcomings in your path, so decide realistically what you want to achieve early on.
Working in the box is fantastic, which is why you will be glad you captured the best quality at the start, the free VST eqs will far outstrip anything on a cheap mixer, and money spent on a good mic is never wasted.
Once you get on this train, it is hard to hold on when you get going, and I am always looking for ways to stay working if my equipment breaks, easy to spend a lot of money.
A 32 channel mixer is great, if you have the facilities, but realistically, my electric bill went up £10 a month today, with no prospects of increasing my earnings any time soon, first world problems and that.
Take your time researching what you need, and make the most of what you have got, is probably the best advice I can offer.
Have fun, that's what it is all about really, and it comes out in the music.
The other is much bigger and its name escapes me at the moment and I need to get up and go and look.
Its a Behringer SX3242FX .
Above I say they work faultlessly and they have but both are still under a year old.
On channels 9/10 of the mixer apparently you have to push the USB button down to send everything to the computer, which I get, its the red stereo/monitor button part I don't understand, for me to hear it through earphones does it need to be pushed in or not?
i overdub bass and keys DI without cans like that.
And yes same space recently reopened and now 70/30 in-person - online. I do my online lessons in there and one on my PC in my bedroom.