This article from EQ Magazine was written just for you:

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.ethanwin…"]Using a Mixer with a DAW[/]="http://www.ethanwin…"]Using a Mixer with a DAW[/]

Yes, it's amazing that most mixer manuals do not show this method, which is the most direct and best way to connect a mixer to a computer!

--Ethan

You need an interface with more than 2 inputs to record anything more than 2 channels at one time;

You only have 2 inputs into your computer(your ART interface has just 2 inputs). You will only get 1 or 2 instruments at a time, or a mix into 2 channels. So you can attach the main outs of your mixer to the inputs of the ART and do a stereo mix of up to as many mics you can plug into the mixer, or you can use the 2 inputs on the ART with 2 mics - or 2 mics into 2 channels of the mixer panned to opposite sides for a total of 2 mics into the interface on 2 channels. If you choose the stereo mix, then you will not be able to remix those instruments. You could add more tracks 1 or 2 at a time or more stereo mixes and mix them all together, but you will not, without buying an interface that supports more inputs, be able to use more than 2 mics into the computer without them being a mix into 2 channels - or I supose 2 mono mixes on 2 channels.

To eathan: The article deffinately helped thank you, another question would be is adobe audition a good program to be using? This is what we are using because it is a very user friendly program and we know how to use it, also it seems to have all the plug ins and things that we need. So is there maybe a better program that you would reccomend that we can test out?

I use SONAR Producer, but never tried Audition.

--Ethan

i used to use audion 1.5, it was clean, with nice effects, but i hated typing in the numbers to effects settings. How bout garage band? Reaper has a great reputation, but i haven't used it. i use pro tools at home, digital performer at the studio, garage band is free/easy, ableton i found a bit confusion, cubase was easy. They all do the same thing generally, it's How they do it that is different, you should try them all, and figure out which one does what you want it to do, as easily as possible.
You definately need an interface with multiple inputs/outputs, preferably 16,in your case, so you can connect direct outs, or aux sends from each channel of your mixer, to your interface/computer There are so many, but i think tascam makes one for like 400.
uh, i've used the vzl3 and it is a nice mixer, but it is very much a live mixer, you have been mis-informed. It's very clean, and fine for recording too. some differences between studio and live mixers, are control room sections (talk back), ruggedness, eq frequency responses, character/lack there of, motorized fader, computer connectivty, and on and on. Don't fret tho, you have a perfectly nice mixer to tackle what you need, and to me the fact that you have 16 clean pres, and 16 channels of eq, and can mix on an actual board (depending on how many out's your interface has) kicks butt over an avereage setup w/ just an interface.!!!!

To kmetal:
I have tried garageband and unfourtunately im not really a fan, I love messing around with it but its not quite what were looking for for recording, and I see, yeah we will have to get ourselves an interface with more channels, We are actually just your average local band and we want to record our own album, I have a little bit of background in recording, enough to know how to do it but not enough to know the absolute best stuff to use because im still young and have not been around the block enough to try all the different equipment that is out there in the world. also I have an uncle who was a recording technician for a while and he has also recorded a lot of his own albums for his bands thoughtout his 45 years of music experience, that is actually who gave us the mixer, he said that hes used it live, but that it was mainly his home recording mixer, hes had better in the studios but that was what he decided to give us because he figured it would work for us and its the only one he doesnt use anymore. The reason I came on here instead of asking him, is because like all of the people who used to record back in the day he doesnt record digitally (with a computer) he uses a fostex recorder its like a 2000 dollar recorder, very nice, bu not something hes willing to give to us because he still uses it. SO we have to go digitally. So I mean anything you can think of that would help us out along the way, tips, but mainly equipment suggestions. I appreciate your suggestions for programs and we will have to figure some out. Also the way ive always done it, is I record a dry track and use the effects on the programs to add effects, reverb, gain, distortion, anything really. and it always turns out pretty good, is there any other way to do it thats better? or easier haha. that sounds just as good.

Hey man, a quick fix for you, is take stero out from your vlz into (stereo in) of your sound card. Called 'submixing' if you take your time, just keep moving mics, and eq's, and you'l get a decent recording. It's time consumimg, and so is mixing in/out a hundred tracks. You basically have to mix your bands recording on 'the way in'. Take 1-3 sesssions to make sure it sounds cool when you guys play. Then just take the best takes oever the next day or few. With your 'submixed' track, sweeten it any way you want and call it a day, cuz you didn't settle for a bunch of mediocore recordings' parts, you picked the best you guys could do, mistakes and all. Vibe.
Now you have a couple things that urk you and options as well. replace, cover with effects.

Will that sound good since were going through the computers soundcard or will it be okay? the main reason we have that digital interface is to add that upgrade in a sound card that were looking for since the computer doesnt have a super good sound card on it.