hey I'm thinking about making home studio to record myself and my band and was looking at getting an analog mixing desk (24/4) into an audio interface into a computer but didnt know what equipment how to wire it, if i only need a couple of inputs/outputs in my interface or if i need the same number of inputs/outputs as instruments I'm recording at once, the cheaper i can do this the better as I'm only a student but i dnt have a budget as such cos i dnt have a clue where to start.
any help would be great cheers
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cfaalm wrote: And a free app would be Audacity. That's if you're
cfaalm wrote: And a free app would be Audacity. That's if you're on a budget. Then again, with a couple of interfaces you get things like Cubase LE for free.
For free software, Kristal would be better for this application, as Audacity will not give you multitrack inputs using the standard Windows drivers.
If you are just considering recording and don't need the gear fo
If you are just considering recording and don't need the gear for live PA work, then skip the mixing desk and get a multi-channel interface for your computer. Do the mixing in the computer, using two of the output channels of the interface for monitoring. Low-cost (even free) software is available that can work for you.
You mentioned a 24/4 channel mixer, but you certainly won't need 24 channels for recording the average band. If you intend to track (record only one or two instruments at a time), then an 8-channel interface is plenty, and you could get away with 4, assuming your band has a drum kit. If you want to record all of you playing at once, you may need 8-12 channels, but you will have problems with the room unless and until you have got proper acoustic treatment for it. Even with one instrument at a time, the room is a big factor.
There are lots of multi-channel interfaces that would fit this application including those from RME, Mackie, Presonus, Focusrite. Try the search engine on this board.
Don't forget you need microphones, cables, stands, headphones and monitors as well. Deciding which microphones to get and where to place them are whole more topics...