What mixers are you guys using?

[ratherdashing]

Okay recording dudes: what are you using for mixing boards? Give me the brand and model, and tell me what you like and dislike about it.

If you're not using a hardware mixer, feel free to explain what you're doing instead (software, for instance).

Thanks!

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

Come onnnnnn! Answer!!!

 

[RW James]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

At the risk of getting flamed :smokin:

For 90% of what I do:

Actually I have the previous version of the same mixer

For special needs - that is when I need more mics - such as to record drums

And no, I've never had any trouble - no noise, nothing. They both work very well and I've even used them as live sound mixers with no trouble.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

Oh as if ... the only person to reply so far posts a BEHRINGER??!!?!?!

This is the worst birthday EVER!!!






EDIT: Actually, I've heard from a few people that the Xenyx mixers are a vast improvement over the previous generation.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

I mix in the box . . . I have a couple of outboard pre-amps and some mics and just don't record a full band enough to need a mixer. When I do record a whole band I'll usually do bass DI, guitars mic'd with 2 tracks (stereo for one guitarist, two monos for two guitarists), drums get 4 tracks (2 overheads, bass drum, snare), vocals get one track. Just set all of the levels, leave a little bit of headroom, and away you go. Generally I found that mixing boards had noisier and crappier sounding preamps than what I could afford otherwise. . . and when I realized that I could do all of the setting of levels in my computer, I just decided not to go with a mixer. I don't mic live shows though, just people playing in my house . . .

 

[tone4days]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

happy birthday

i have used an old 12 ch mackie (vlz 1202?) with 4 mic pre's

very happy with the solution

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

happy birthday

i have used an old 12 ch mackie (vlz 1202?) with 4 mic pre's

very happy with the solution

Nice. That's the one I'm looking at - the older (not Pro) 1202. They're a pretty good deal on eBay.

So I gather you're happy with the mic pre's? Do you use it for acoustic and vocals too?

Thanks.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

I mix in the box . . . I have a couple of outboard pre-amps and some mics and just don't record a full band enough to need a mixer. When I do record a whole band I'll usually do bass DI, guitars mic'd with 2 tracks (stereo for one guitarist, two monos for two guitarists), drums get 4 tracks (2 overheads, bass drum, snare), vocals get one track. Just set all of the levels, leave a little bit of headroom, and away you go. Generally I found that mixing boards had noisier and crappier sounding preamps than what I could afford otherwise. . . and when I realized that I could do all of the setting of levels in my computer, I just decided not to go with a mixer. I don't mic live shows though, just people playing in my house . . .

Cool. What's your audio hardware, and what pre's do you use?

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

I mix in the box, as well... I've found standalone mixers to be basically useless for going to tape - you're limiting yourself to one stereo track, and it's cheaper/better to just buy a mic pre.

I just run a FirePod (upgrading to FireStudio when my wallet permits) straight into my Mac via firewire, and mix in the box.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

Cool. What's your audio hardware, and what pre's do you use?

I use the following pres hooked into a delta 1010 (which I bought from a friend who was getting out of the recording game for 100$):
Aphex 207 - Sounds good on vocals/bass DI - Picked up on ebay for about 100$
LA Audio MLX20 - Great Clean preamp - Picked up on ebay for 35$
FMR Audio RNP - Good all-round preamp - Picked up on craigs list for 200$
Presonus MP20 - Good Cleans - Picked up on craigs list for 190$

 

[tone4days]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

Nice. That's the one I'm looking at - the older (not Pro) 1202. They're a pretty good deal on eBay.

So I gather you're happy with the mic pre's? Do you use it for acoustic and vocals too?

Thanks.

yeah, its real nice (mine is the old one too) ... i like it for vocals and mic'ing amps ... i havent done acoustic
good luck
t4d

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

I mix in the box, as well... I've found standalone mixers to be basically useless for going to tape - you're limiting yourself to one stereo track, and it's cheaper/better to just buy a mic pre.

I just run a FirePod (upgrading to FireStudio when my wallet permits) straight into my Mac via firewire, and mix in the box.

A'ight. Well, I have a MBox, so I can only ever do two at a time anyway. I also doubt it would be cheaper to buy four or six good mic pre's than to buy a used Mackie.

If I need to record more than 2 tracks at a time, I either rent bigger hardware or go to a studio. I don't do it frequently enough to justify an 002 or similar. Even if I did, I'd probably get a 1604 or similar (i.e. something with channel outs) to put in front of it.

I'm also of the belief (and I know you generally don't agree, and that's fine) that the signal hitting the computer hardware should be as ideal as possible. For this reason, I like to have some gain and EQ controls in front of the MBox, especially when I'm recording a voice or an acoustic instrument. I like to blend two mics into one track in some cases, and that's where a mixer comes in very handy.

Lastly, I appreciate the convenience of having all my instruments wired up to the mixer, thus allowing me to quickly send something to the monitors or to "tape" without f-ing around with patch cables. Its a minor consideration, but anything that makes my recording process more pleasant is always good.

 

[ErikH]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

I've just been using my Tascam Porta-07 4-track as a mixer. Sometimes I record to tape and mix down to the PC and other times I record straight to the PC with Audacity. It's not an elaborate setup by any means but it gets the job done for what I do.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: What mixers are you guys using?

Ah yes, completely understood. I've just always got more than 2 tracks going, but I get where you're comming from.

Naturally, the signal should be ideal as possible... compression where applicable, pre-eq, HPF's and pads engaged, etc.

A'ight. Well, I have a MBox, so I can only ever do two at a time anyway. I also doubt it would be cheaper to buy four or six good mic pre's than to buy a used Mackie.

If I need to record more than 2 tracks at a time, I either rent bigger hardware or go to a studio. I don't do it frequently enough to justify an 002 or similar. Even if I did, I'd probably get a 1604 or similar (i.e. something with channel outs) to put in front of it.

I'm also of the belief (and I know you generally don't agree, and that's fine) that the signal hitting the computer hardware should be as ideal as possible. For this reason, I like to have some gain and EQ controls in front of the MBox, especially when I'm recording a voice or an acoustic instrument. I like to blend two mics into one track in some cases, and that's where a mixer comes in very handy.

Lastly, I appreciate the convenience of having all my instruments wired up to the mixer, thus allowing me to quickly send something to the monitors or to "tape" without f-ing around with patch cables. Its a minor consideration, but anything that makes my recording process more pleasant is always good.