Need more info.

What brand and model is the mixer?
What are you recording to?
Why isn't this in the Newbies forum?

Trust me. If you don't know how to use a mixer you definitely shouldn't be posting anywhere else.

TheJackAttack wrote: Need more info.

What brand and model is the mixer?
What are you recording to?
Why isn't this in the Newbies forum?

Trust me. If you don't know how to use a mixer you definitely shouldn't be posting anywhere else.

What brand and model is the mixer? It's this http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102920&CAWELAID=107592191
What are you recording to? Record into adobe auditions
Why isn't this in the Newbies forum? Cause im a newbie

k?

How are you getting this into the computer itself? The mic jack built into the computer?

The mixer you linked to is not a computer interface which is really what you need. Your best bet is to return the Radio Shack "mixer" and purchase an inexpensive 2 channel computer interface.

TheJackAttack wrote: How are you getting this into the computer itself? The mic jack built into the computer?

The mixer you linked to is not a computer interface which is really what you need. Your best bet is to return the Radio Shack "mixer" and purchase an inexpensive 2 channel computer interface.

I have u control

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J0IIEQ/?tag=r06fa-20

But its not showing a slot for my mic

First, your components are not very good-especially the Radio Shack "mixer" and the Behr.... "interface."

However, with the gear you have, it's still going to be difficult. You do not have a microphone preamp at all. The Radio Shack mixer assumes you already have the microphone running through a preamplifier before it gets to the Radio Shack device. That's why you can't figure out how to hook up the MXL microphone. I cannot tell what the input jacks are on the Radio Shack mixer. You will need some sort of converter cable to get from XLR-F to 1/4 inch TS or 1/8 inch TS whatever on the Radio Shack mixer. From there you will go out of the Radio Shack to the Behr... junk with RCA cables.

This is not going to work well if at all.

TheJackAttack wrote: First, your components are not very good-especially the Radio Shack "mixer" and the Behr.... "interface."

However, with the gear you have, it's still going to be difficult. You do not have a microphone preamp at all. The Radio Shack mixer assumes you already have the microphone running through a preamplifier before it gets to the Radio Shack device. That's why you can't figure out how to hook up the MXL microphone. I cannot tell what the input jacks are on the Radio Shack mixer. You will need some sort of converter cable to get from XLR-F to 1/4 inch TS or 1/8 inch TS whatever on the Radio Shack mixer. From there you will go out of the Radio Shack to the Behr... junk with RCA cables.

This is not going to work well if at all.

Instead of telling me whats not going to work and that it's going to be hard why dont you tell me exactly what I need. Or if theres a way I can have my mic jack directlt in my pc or get a usb adapter for it. Something like that since i cant go out and spend 100 buck.

I told you how to do it. You are the one showing up with a pile of useless and unrelated equipment and no idea how to use any of it. The fact that what I told you in my prior post was indeed how to hook the equipment up just reinforces that fact.

Bottom line is that you need a microphone preamplifier prior to going into the Radio Shack device. No, I do not have a recommendation for you. I will not associate myself however indirectly with things that are so poorly designed and inadequate.

Good luck. I'm out.

THis is really a Rube Goldberg device set up
http://mousetrapcontraptions.com/cool-machines-3.html

You could buy an ART Preamp
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/ART-Tube-MP-Studio-Mic-Preamp?sku=180581&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=41699112

but really study the machine in the first link and try to relate that this is the approach you are using.

Actually, that mixer is designed for cassette players or turntables. I don't think they ever intended for it to be used with microphones at all.

As it is, if you can't go out and spend $100 much less $1000, you're not going to be making a whole lot of "keen" recordings. This hobby is expensive and a minimum of $100 is needed for the most basic of audio interfaces.

You got your answer already. If you do end up buying a preamp like the one suggested, you will also need to get a 1/4" phono to RCA converter if you want to use that mixer.

Considering the amount of money you will have to spend just to get you up to par, you may as well take those two back and get a basic interface that is plug and play. Like[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.sweetwat…"] this[/]="http://www.sweetwat…"] this[/] one.

I totally agree with Huseph and completely understand Jack's reluctance to help you commit recording butchery. Returning what you have and spending $75.00 - $100.00 is going to bring you so much much further along the path. You got some great advice from two guys that you ought to take.

TheJackAttack wrote: I told you how to do it. You are the one showing up with a pile of useless and unrelated equipment and no idea how to use any of it. The fact that what I told you in my prior post was indeed how to hook the equipment up just reinforces that fact.

Bottom line is that you need a microphone preamplifier prior to going into the Radio Shack device. No, I do not have a recommendation for you. I will not associate myself however indirectly with things that are so poorly designed and inadequate.

Good luck. I'm out.

Which is why I asked at a recording website on how to set it up and what's the cheapest way to go. As for the record name it's my last name also and my alias "Keen". I have people to do proper mixes to get the best out of quality I can mix just fine myself.

I never claimed to be an expert I admit I have no idea on what I'm doing this is my first time setting up studio quality material and I can't afford anything fancy or pricey. So have a good day.

Might just be me but people don't need to start getting attitudy towards myself trying to learn how to do all this since it's my first time. And if I brought up an attitude I apologize for it. This stuff can get irritating.

If you want to learn as you say you do, then understand the cheapest best way to accomplish what you are trying to do is mic>cable>interface>usb cable> computer & software oh yeah and at least a decent set of headphones.

jg49 wrote: If you want to learn as you say you do, then understand the cheapest best way to accomplish what you are trying to do is mic>cable>interface>usb cable> computer & software oh yeah and at least a decent set of headphones.

I got all those cept I think i picked up the wrong interface part. Since my mics mxl 990 would I still need phantom power?

Sell or return all of what you have except the mic. This is the cheapest USB unit I can condone. It will do everything you want without monkey f***ing it together.

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.zzounds…"]Lexicon Lambda[/]="http://www.zzounds…"]Lexicon Lambda[/].

Mr K,

I think I can shed some light on this situation. A microphone puts out a very weak audio signal. That low level (weak) signal needs to be amplified before it goes into your computer. This is what a preamplifier does.

Once the mic's signal is preamplified, the signal then needs to go into some kind of interface device that will interface with (into) your computer.

You MXL mic is a condenser mic, and as such also needs a voltage sent to it for it to work. I won't go into the electronics. (You can google condenser mic). A preamplifier will provide that for the mic.

You would attach mic to preamplifier (the preamp also provides a working voltage to the mic - called phantom power). The output of the preamp then goes into a device that will connect it to the USB port on your computer.

You then can record one track at a time in Audacity.

Fortunately there are preamp+phantom power+digital converter+USB in a box type of devices available.

Go google a device called a Blue Icicle. I know musician's friend has them. The blue Icicle is an inexpensive giszmo that is a combination mic preamp, phantom power provider, and analog to digital (USB) converter all in one easy to use device.

There are other USB preamplifiers too. Some are expensive and some not expensive. The Blue Icicle is just one example of such a device.

I hope this helps, and also hope you can return that stuff to Radio Shack and put the money into something that will let you get an audio signal into Audacity. The folks at Radio Shack have absolutely no clue how any of this works.

(y)on

Don Schenk wrote: Mr K,

I think I can shed some light on this situation. A microphone puts out a very weak audio signal. That low level (weak) signal needs to be amplified before it goes into your computer. This is what a preamplifier does.

Once the mic's signal is preamplified, the signal then needs to go into some kind of interface device that will interface with (into) your computer.

You MXL mic is a condenser mic, and as such also needs a voltage sent to it for it to work. I won't go into the electronics. (You can google condenser mic). A preamplifier will provide that for the mic.

You would attach mic to preamplifier (the preamp also provides a working voltage to the mic - called phantom power). The output of the preamp then goes into a device that will connect it to the USB port on your computer.

You then can record one track at a time in Audacity.

Fortunately there are preamp+phantom power+digital converter+USB in a box type of devices available.

Go google a device called a Blue Icicle. I know musician's friend has them. The blue Icicle is an inexpensive giszmo that is a combination mic preamp, phantom power provider, and analog to digital (USB) converter all in one easy to use device.

There are other USB preamplifiers too. Some are expensive and some not expensive. The Blue Icicle is just one example of such a device.

I hope this helps, and also hope you can return that stuff to Radio Shack and put the money into something that will let you get an audio signal into Audacity. The folks at Radio Shack have absolutely no clue how any of this works.

(y)on

Thanks 8-)

Not the Icicle. No! For a little more money you can get a basic interface that isn't as much of a compromise. The icicle is hardly worth the money. Don't be cheap for the sake of being cheap. You're only going to find that you need to upgrade later.

Lambda is $150
http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXLAMBDA

Alpha is $80
http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXALPHA

Emu 0404 $200
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0404

M-Audio Mobile Pre USB $150
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE

You want a mixer? It's going to cost a lot more than $100.

For a basic unit here's the Onyx i series firewire interface $700:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MACONYX1220I

Here's an 8 channel interface that apparently does multitracking using USB 2.0. I've never used it but there are people around who swear it works well. Tascam 1641 $300

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TASUS1641

The thing you are paying for with the multiple channel interfaces is the ability to simultaneously record more than 2 channels to separate tracks simultaneously. It costs money to make a device do this. There is no way around it. Take that garbage that the salesman pawned off to you back to him and tell him you want something that is worth your time and money.

Incidentally, mr. Schenk did not tell you anything that hasn't been mentioned already. All he did is give you bad advice on a product that is not worth it's sales tag. As much as people like Blue products there are at least a few of their products that I think are sub standard at best. That is only my opinion though.

hueseph wrote: Incidentally, mr. Schenk did not tell you anything that hasn't been mentioned already. All he did is give you bad advice on a product that is not worth it's sales tag. As much as people like Blue products there are at least a few of their products that I think are sub standard at best. That is only my opinion though.

He gave advice which is what I need which is why I thanked him as I have everyone else who helped :roll:

Well you got advice which you did not take to heart. Furthermore, if I may be so bold, you are using stolen software which is worth well more than three hundred dollars on it's own. Fork out the money for a real interface and you will have software that you are legally allowed to use.

hueseph wrote: Well you got advice which you did not take to heart. Furthermore, if I may be so bold, you are using stolen software which is worth well more than three hundred dollars on it's own. Fork out the money for a real interface and you will have software that you are legally allowed to use.

Stolen software? When did audacity have a price? :roll:

Who are you to say what I did and didn't take heart to?

smh

Sorry I read Audition where you wrote Audacity. My bad. As far as what you took to heart, maybe I read you wrong but it seems to me you are questioning the advice you're given. Some of us have been doing this for a while. Two mods have responded already.

I've never tried the Icicle. Yes it is cheap, and might make my ears fold over.

I only mentioned it as an example of an all-in-one device that will do what he needs. I hope Mr K buys the best interface he can afford.

In my post I was giving him an example of the equipment chain he needs to put a signal into his USB port. Yes, other posts mentioned the various parts, but no one wrote it all out in a logical order WITH a simple explanation.

It made sense to him.

(y)on

I didn't mean to dump on you Don. Things are hairy around here. Some of these questions have been answered so many times before. A quick search would reveal that.

hueseph wrote: Sorry I read Audition where you wrote Audacity. My bad. As far as what you took to heart, maybe I read you wrong but it seems to me you are questioning the advice you're given. Some of us have been doing this for a while. Two mods have responded already.

A rank on a forum doesn't mean anything to me I'd take the same advice from a new member, mod, admin or what ever. Also if it bothers you that these questions keep coming up simply ignore them. How hard is that? They've been answered and you're posts hardly helped what I needed. Good job on staying off topic that's very good for a mod. 8-)

Mods are not infallible, but generally I would not rank a guy with (say) 7 posts [which could be mostly spam or waffle*], over someone who the community has decided to commend for continued valid contributions?

*much like myself.

If we ignored all these repeat questions, RO wouldn't be a forum. It'd be a bunch of archived pages, known only to Google and the Wayback machine.

If a mod could lock this thread since it's going no where and more of arguing who you should listen to and shouldnt.

Well... if it's going nowhere then why don't you just ignore it. How hard is that?
Keen wrote"A rank on a forum doesn't mean anything to me I'd take the same advice from a new member, mod, admin or what ever. Also if it bothers you that these questions keep coming up simply ignore them. How hard is that? "

I see. So when you don't know the subject or understand the subject and you get called out for resenting the answer, then you whine, then other posters try to gently point out that you aren't listening, then you whine some more, you want to lock the thread?

That is up to the moderator for this particular forum.

Look. I'm glad Don broke it down Barney Style enough for you to get it. Stick around and learn something but don't get defensive. Don't whine. Don't buy equipment before you 1) know what the equipment is and 2) know what equipment you need. We help people all the time that are rank beginners-of all ages. More importantly, we all were unknowing beginners once.

I personally don't have time to molly coddle someone so I'm perhaps more straight forward than most i.e. when I say something won't work the way a hopeful person wants. I'm not even the most crotchety person here.

TheJackAttack wrote: I see. So when you don't know the subject or understand the subject and you get called out for resenting the answer, then you whine, then other posters try to gently point out that you aren't listening, then you whine some more, you want to lock the thread?

That is up to the moderator for this particular forum.

Look. I'm glad Don broke it down Barney Style enough for you to get it. Stick around and learn something but don't get defensive. Don't whine. Don't buy equipment before you 1) know what the equipment is and 2) know what equipment you need. We help people all the time that are rank beginners-of all ages. More importantly, we all were unknowing beginners once.

I personally don't have time to molly coddle someone so I'm perhaps more straight forward than most i.e. when I say something won't work the way a hopeful person wants. I'm not even the most crotchety person here.

Exactly we were all once new at something

NO. Keen is right. Here's the info you wanted to hear. Go buy yourself one of [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.zzounds…"]these[/]="http://www.zzounds…"]these[/] and two of these. That's only another $60 or so more than you've already spent. That will get you going. Go to town. In no time I'm sure you'll be calling yourself a producer.

But don't take the word of someone who's been recording for as long as you've been alive. Take the word of a guy who's never used the advised setup before. Forget the fact that I've been down this road before. I've taken the shortcuts. Forget the fact that I've wasted the money and I'm trying to stop you from wasting yours. And, absolutely ignore the fact that if you just go ahead and take that piece of crap Radial Smack "mixer" back and factor in the amount of money you would spend on a preamp, you could have yourself one of the interfaces already mentioned.

You could get the Icicle. Sure. Why not? You'll have a single input and you'll still be listening to the crappy computer speakers you have. Alright! That's great. You go ahead and mix with your Labtecs.

Don't forget to post some of your amazing work. Okay?

What you need to hear and what you want to hear are not always the same thing.

Incidentally, try and post these questions on some of the other recording forums and see if you get treated as nicely. Granted there are some sites where you will get coddled. There are few sites out there where you will deal with as many people who actually do this for a living.

I wanted to hear what to get that's it and the cheapest and easiest way of doing so instead some people were smart asses about it. That's all I wanted to know.

Peace I'm Out

Personally I have no idea how many people have swung by this forum having bought some gear, recorded some stuff, and are asking "how can I make it better"

I also don't know how much money has been poured into the junk equipment that gives people recordings that are noisy, easily distorted and just generally stink.

quality(Easy + cheap) < quality(Time + proper kit)

Ive moved this to its actual proper place, budget gear. I'm locking it because of the OP's inability to understand 'help' when its shown to him over and over. He's no longer interested in being a 'member'. I'm leaving it up as a simple example to 'newbies' about how NOT to ask for help.

Some main points.

Learn to spell. This isnt 'twitter' and doesnt have a character limit.

Learn what you are trying to do and make an effort to express this in a way that those with the experience can help you.

When you see an answer you dont understand, say so but dont become argumentative or spiteful. Your confusion is understandable but your anger isnt.

Try and realize that those who post and answer questions are doing it out of thier love for this business. But they dont owe you something just because you have joined to ask a question.

If you really dont want an honest answer, dont ask.