Mic Preamp VS Mixer
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Posted on Mar 29, 2005 09:31 am
ZX6R1033
Perdido
Member Since: Dec 15, 2004
After reading another post, I started thinking, maybe I am going about my setup all wrong. I keep looking for mixing consoles with 8 XLR inputs and phantom power... But do I really NEED the mixer for anything else? After all, I am recording VIA computer. So here is my question...
Which way would be easier, cheaper, and all around better for ME? a preamp which has 8 ins/8 outs, or a mixer such as the UB2442FX?
I am going from (up to ) 8 mics, and I will be using 2 Delta 44s.
Is there something I am missing?
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Mar 29, 2005 12:05 pm a mixer will be more flexible if you're running audio this way and that with different pieces of OUTBOARD gear, but if you're lookin' to track just mics and maybe a keyboard then it's definately not necessary...hell i pitched my mixer out the window (well not really) when i got my q-10....it's got 8 XLR/TRS ins and 8 TRS outs, 4 TRS inserts, and spdif in/out...that's all i need. so my mixer shrunk down to a single rack space!! keep in mind that mine is an audo interface as well, i dont' think they make a condensed mixer that's just inputs and outputs....but i'm not sure.
peace
Chris
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 29, 2005 01:01 pm I agree with wyd... I ended up going with the mixer you mentioned, simply because it would keep me from plugging/unplugging stuff . So, even though it's usually just me in the studio, all I need to do is bring up a fader . Everything is routed easily enough with the 4 busses .
CH.
1- Desk mic.(comunicate with iso-booth EV635a)
2- Isolation booth (Oktava MK219/MXL990)
3- Snare (SM57)
4- Kick (AT1000)
5- Overhead 1 (MXL991)
6- Overhead 2 (MXL991)
7- Guitar Pre-amp
8- Bass Pre-amp
9/10- video capture card OUT
11/12- DR770 Drum machine
13/14- CDX1 Sample Station
15/16- Sound card OUT (route to mains)
Subs 1/2 - Sample Station
Subs 3/4 - Soundcard IN
Mains - Speaker selector... speakers .
I like the idea of gettin all this into a single rack mount mixer, though... that'd be swell ! : p
Mar 29, 2005 10:03 pm I'm not sure if it was my original post you were reading, but I eventually wound up getting a Mackie 1202 and, to be honest, I'm still not sure if I did the right thing for ME. DOn't get me wrong, it's a real nice piece of gear and the preamps sound nice, but in my case really it's just me with one mic and one keyboard. Never know what will be, but for now I don't expect too much more.
It will be interesting to see other responses to your post. Maybe it will give me some ideas as to whether I should return the Mackie or keep it.
Good luck -- I'm not sure there is a RIGHT answer. Just what feels right to you.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Mar 29, 2005 10:23 pm after a few years toying around with this and that I ended up going with this:
UB2442 (BECAUSE OF THE DIRECT OUTS) each out is to a seperate channel on my delta 1010 . I like having the mixer for routing. I use a dedicated pre on vocals but almost everything else go into the mixer. the 1010 doesn't have any pre's but i had the mixer first so i didn't need extra pres. I'll record a number a tracks at once too.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 30, 2005 03:08 am I think if I were doing recordings that only needed eight inputs, I would look hard at a unit like the Tascam FW1884. It is a bit pricey in a sense, but figguring a good 8 channel interface can cost half and a mixer can easly cost the other half, you get the bonus motorized fader control unit for your DAW software.
Worth consideration.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 09:19 am I'm not sure if it was my original post you were reading, but I eventually wound up getting a Mackie 1202 and, to be honest, I'm still not sure if I did the right thing for ME. DOn't get me wrong, it's a real nice piece of gear and the preamps sound nice, but in my case really it's just me with one mic and one keyboard. Never know what will be, but for now I don't expect too much more.
It will be interesting to see other responses to your post. Maybe it will give me some ideas as to whether I should return the Mackie or keep it.
Good luck -- I'm not sure there is a RIGHT answer. Just what feels right to you.
Your post actually WAS the one that got me thinking about this.
As for the other recomendations, much appreciated. I am going to end up with two delta 44's regardless... (price.. im cheap) so the question posed was, since I dont need an onboard 3 band EQ, or any other options that a mixer offers, would it be cheaper and better for me to go with a preamp. After a day of research, and about 3 hrs of private messages with WYD, the answer turns out to be YES. for a number of reasons.
The preamp I am looking at has 8 ins/ 8 outs. all of them have seperatly controled gain and phantom power controls. I will be setting it up so I am running each mic through its own preamp, then into its own channel on the delta 44, into its own track on the computer. From there, I can mess with EQ, effects, and what not. I have absolutly no need for any other outboard gear at this current point in time, and this is the most cost effective method.
FYI, the preamp and both delta 44s total cost is under $300.
Thanks to all
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 30, 2005 10:51 am wow, 8 preamped channels for < $300.
What preamp are you looking at?
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 02:03 pm bwahahaha great idea!! except for the part that costs me 133% more than the origional idea.
(I can do a lot with the extra 130 bucks. )
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 02:22 pm Yeah, good point . Perhaps you can find a noise surpressor with what you saved .
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 02:37 pm noise supressor? problem solved. hiss eliminator plugin. the beauty of digital recording VIA PC.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 02:47 pm Ahhhh .
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 30, 2005 03:33 pm I know, I was a bit sketched out by the Nady preamps too...even the 10-happy reviewers at MF.com strayed away from the ubiquitous thumbs-up for the Nady preamps.
Are you sure that you need 8 channels right now? For that same $100 you can get 4 great preamps on a Yamaha MG mixer.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 30, 2005 03:39 pm Hey ZX6R1033,
Interesting post. I'm pretty much doing the same as you.
I've purchased a Delta 66 and the Nady 8 channel pre.
My intentions are to put the mic'd drum kit on the mixer thus reducing 5 mics to 2 outs (I only have 2 outs on my mixer). The remaining 4 ins on the Delta will be used for guitar 1, guitar 2, bass and lead vocals which will be coming from the pre amp.
I wish I had more money as I would probably get a FirePod but that is out of my price range for now.
Mar 30, 2005 03:40 pm ummmm, you do realize the Delta 66 only has 4 analog inputs, right? The two RCA-like jacks are digital S/PDIF I/O, which means you need a digital output to run into the digital input...just wannna make sure...
Mar 30, 2005 03:48 pm he's gettin' a second delta66...
Mar 30, 2005 03:49 pm ahhhhh
whew, I got worried there for a minute...
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 30, 2005 03:51 pm Hmmm, how do I say this (*egg on face*). I thought the other 2 inputs were RCA (ugh, these noobs anyways).
OK, well not the end of the world. I can still make it work by running the mixer outs to my sampler... wait a minute that won't work either. Oh, here is an option.... anyone want to buy a Delta 66? Damn, knew I should have coughed up the extra cash for a 1010.
I think I may have just thrown away $40 which I guess isn't that bad but it is going to make me think of a work-around for my setup.
What do you use the S/PDIF for? Linking to other soundcards?? Does this mean that I will not have a use for this input?
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Mar 31, 2005 09:00 am Are you sure that you need 8 channels right now? For that same $100 you can get 4 great preamps on a Yamaha MG mixer.
Yes, I have 7 drum mics, and at the moment, I can only use 4 of them VIA mg 10/2 mixer, and I really dont want to have to find room for 2 10/2's.
he's gettin' a second delta66...
I think he was talking about the other guy.. I am running 2 delta 44's. :D
Hey ZX6R1033,
Interesting post. I'm pretty much doing the same as you.
I've purchased a Delta 66 and the Nady 8 channel pre.
My intentions are to put the mic'd drum kit on the mixer thus reducing 5 mics to 2 outs (I only have 2 outs on my mixer). The remaining 4 ins on the Delta will be used for guitar 1, guitar 2, bass and lead vocals which will be coming from the pre amp.
I am going to be using the preamp for drums...inputs total (after I get a 2nd snare). I have a Behringer V-amp that will be handling my guitar/bass needs. The preamp will also be handling vocals... If I get brave and attempt to sing.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 31, 2005 10:14 am Beerhunter, if you have a higher guitar processor, they have spdif out (digital) that you can plug your guitar into. It should be better as you won't have to convert to analog, then back to digital. It'll go from processor to PC all digital.
Also, there are preamps that have digital outs, as well as drum machines that have digital outs. Some keyboards may as well, though I can't think of any at the moment.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 31, 2005 11:06 am Thanks pjk, you've given me some ideas. Our lead guitar player uses a Line6 POD and I'm guessing but I bet that it has digital out.
I would like to get another Delta card in a few months. Do I have to match it with another Delta 66 or can I put in a Delta 44 instead?
Mar 31, 2005 11:08 am depends on the version of POD. The XT even has a USB out...the XT Pro has loads of routing options.
