USB Mixer with > 2 output channels?
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Posted on May 05, 2009 10:35 am
bandspaguy
Member Since: May 05, 2009
I'm in a band, and I am the "PA Guy." At present, I record our practices on a Fostex MR8 hard disk recorder. This gives me the ability to record 4 tracks at a time. I'd like to record at least 6 tracks at a time. I've looked at replacing the Fostex with my laptop and a Mixer with USB output. All the inexpensive mixers I've looked at, with at least 6 discrete inputs, only seem to output the main mix (stereo) to the USB port. I'd like to get 6 channels out to the USB, so I could have more control of the final mix post practice. Is this possible at a reasonable cost? Should I be looking at something other than a "USB Mixer" when I look at gear to do this? Finally, if I can get the 6 channels into the PC via the USB, what price point software am I looking at to process it on the PC side? Thanks in advance, and forgive the newbie if this post should have gone elsewhere.
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Keith WarrenMans reach exceeds his graspMember
Since: Oct 23, 2007
May 05, 2009 11:56 pm This might be what you're after- the US-1641 is rather cost friendly for what you get-
www.guitarcenter.com/TASC...081-i1368640.gc
Only other thing you might need is a little more RAM on your computer.
And it comes with Steinberg Cubase LE 4, which I believe will give you 32 simultaneous tracks to play with.
So if you wanted to record your neighbors complaining about the noise after your 8 track take, you could easily dub it over your original- 26 times.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
May 06, 2009 12:46 am For the most part, the USB mixers will only output a summed stereo output to the computer. I can't think of any USB mixers that'll output more than a stereo signal to the PC.
The FireWire devices are the ones that will output more channels to the PC. Lots to choose from, although some are finicky about which FireWire chipsets they'll play nicely with (Texas Instruments seem to be the agreeable ones).
Or you can get a multi-input interface like the M-Audio Delta 1010LT (for example). Pair it with a mixer with several channels and/or output buses, direct channel outputs, or even channel inserts (which can be used as direct outputs).
May 06, 2009 03:23 pm OK, it looks like firewire might be the way to go right now. Lots of used gear on ebay, etc., that might solve my problem. If I go that route, my NEW problem is that my Dell laptop has no firewire connectivity. I see lots of devices on ebay that fit the ExpressCard slot on the laptop, and provide firewire connectivity. Is this a good way to go, or the road to ruin? I see Prosonus has several units that handle 6+ inputs, and provide firewire output to the laptop. Is that a reasonble way to go?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 07, 2009 08:31 pm I believe there are a few USB interfaces that will do multi channel now. I know the UX-8 from Line 6 does if I'm not mistaken. MOTU has a couple that will as well via USB. I'm not sure about the little USB mixer types, but I would be guessing there must be one or two that might do it as well now.
But using something like the UX-8 would be just the ticket for simply getting the recordings into the laptop.
May 11, 2009 05:57 pm The UX-8 from Line 6 DOES look interesting. I play my guitar thru a Floor Pod now, and it looks like I could get the same effects with the software that comes with the UX-8. One less thing to carry. The PROBLEM is the price for the UX-8 would tap out my budget, and it doesn't seem to come with any computer-based recording software, like a lot of the firewire based stuff does. All I really want to do is control volume on the tracks when I mix them down to stereo, maybe do some eq tweaking, MAYBE add some reverb. What's the cheapest decent software I could mate up with the UX-8 to accomplish that?
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
May 11, 2009 06:26 pm I use the UX8 and it works fine (you can model input 1&2 while capturing the other 6 dry for drums(what I do)). I don't remember if it came with DAW software as I had audition already, but there are options.
If you want a mixer the Alesis models look affordable, are a full functioning mixer, don't require you to add on a firewire card, and allow seperate channel capture as you desire. Also comes with Cubase LE.
www.zzounds.com...m--ALEMM16USB20
The cheapest full functioning software would be Krystal audio as it's free :) I think it only allows 16 max tracks but that is more than most need I would assume.
www.kreatives.org/kristal/
If you don't plan on commercial use, you can also try out reaper which has even more function.
www.reaper.fm/
May 13, 2009 10:14 am I checked out Krystal, and it looks like all I really need to get the job done. I am seriously considering the UX-8 now. I have a problem with noise from my laptop when I try to play music back thru the PA, which I posted over in the Computer and Software forum. Once I get that solved, I will probably buy the UX-8. Thanks to all that provided answers on this. GOOD WEBSITE with KNOWLEDGEABLE FOLKS!
