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RayW
Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Twin Cities, MN
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 Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject: Mixers - Some kind of group gathering? (Under Construction) |
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Well, since I agreed to talk about mixers ages ago, a lot of people have chimed-in about their setups. And the issue of software vs. hardware is out there.
I'm only going to mention hardware ... because most software just emulates hardware (you can get a pretty sophisticated software emulator).
You ONLY really need a mixer if you have multiple sources that need to be combined into one. A lot of effects boxes now adays come with a simple mixer built in so you can combine your vocals and your instrument into the one output.
Mixers can be as simple as a set of preamps with level and stereo panning or complicated, with bias and tone adjustments, multiple "Aux" buses with sends and returns, built-in FX bus, selectable signal paths, panning, monitoring, and on and on.
Most people think of the Mixer Board when they think of mixers. But, there are also simple 4-into-1 or 8-into-1 rack mounted units that just assemble all your components into one "submaster" stereo track that you feed into your main mixer. (Note: this is what I will be doing when I get my MIDI guitar setup together - use an 8-to-1 to merge the three synth boxes and two audio processors, panning each to a different spot in the sound field).
So, with the simple mixer .. no problem. Just be sure not to overdrive the preamp, unless distortion is what you were after in the first place.
But, when looking at a board, you have a few more choices. First, do you REALLY need 32 channels? Will 4 do the job (2 mic and 2 line)? And, will you really use the Aux bus, if it's there?
(more coming ...)
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Ray
http://www.rayweyland.com
http://www.sounds-of-ray.com
Last edited by RayW on Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:15 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Zak Claxton
Joined: 16 Oct 2007
Posts: 2008
Location: Podul/33/243/154/
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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I'm a music technology writer for my real job. Ray is right; the trend in recording studios both big and small is not having a mixer AT ALL, and having everything done (as we call it) in the box, meaning via software control.
I do use a mixer, but for the reason Ray mentions... I like having hardware control of the multiple mics I use before it gets to my audio interface.
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RayW
Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Twin Cities, MN
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, and as a side note ... when I'm recording/producing a song, I don't use hardware mixers at all. My 8 channel I/O handles all the inputs. The vitrual instruments all have their own bus. It all gets mixed down in Cubase (or Sonar or Acid ... whichever I'm using) .. all software, and much more flexible than any hardware mixer I could AFFORD.
Gawd ... life is good sometimes 
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Ray
http://www.rayweyland.com
http://www.sounds-of-ray.com |
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Distilled1
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 400
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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I use a 12 channel for performance as I dont like using the software e-mu mixer.. I set it once save it as shoutcast setting (what bus, asio, in out etc is on or mute blah blah and go with the pots to adjust levels.) I seem to screew up software stuff. I use the board as well because I run the outs back to it and the ctrl room goes to my studio monitors.
Recording I mix all software as it gives you so many more options.. but live on the fly mixing give me something I can touch and turn and push 
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Zak Claxton
Joined: 16 Oct 2007
Posts: 2008
Location: Podul/33/243/154/
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Distilled1 wrote: | | Recording I mix all software as it gives you so many more options.. but live on the fly mixing give me something I can touch and turn and push |
Right. I like having that tangible master fader that I can reach over and pull down immediately as needed.
But it's not at all entirely NECESSARY for me to use the mixer, to be clear. It's just a matter of convenience for me, and I'm an old-skool recording engineer who kinda likes hardware for familiarity's sake.
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Doubledown Tandino
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 1661
Location: RAVELONG @ SLMC Info Island - SIM: Tivona
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KTravanti
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 219
Location: SoCal
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casemunro
Joined: 09 Sep 2007
Posts: 141
Location: Pompano Beach, FL
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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I use a 16 channel Yamaha mixer that has been a workhorse for years, rehearsal, recording, gigging in RL and SL. Only need 5 channels for SL performance- guitar, bass, 2 vocals, and drum tracks burned to CD and run through the mixer. It's got good enough EQ and built in delay/reverb, but it's really a club mixer, I'd like to upgrade to some studio quality gear in the next year.
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http://myspace.com/friendlyfiremusic
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RayW
Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Doubledown Tandino
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 1661
Location: RAVELONG @ SLMC Info Island - SIM: Tivona
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| KTravanti wrote: | Musician's Friend has some great markdowns on overstocked items. I bought my little Mackie DFX-6 there for under 200 bucks!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/
Also if you tell them what a competitor's price is they will go lower! I bought my PA equipment there as well.
KT |
I highly recommend musiciansfriend as well... and especially with mixers and speakers. They're usually free shipping.
However, if you have a guitar center near you, buy from there, because, they are owned by musicians friend, and will give you the same price as the website + any repairs/warranty stuff needed you just take your stuff back to there.
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