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anonymous 15 November 2004

I work for a Small Irish pub, and we want to be able to record the bands live. We have a Behringer UB22222FX Pro mixer, and looking to record 8 tracks to the computer for editing. I have heard of devices that you can go from the Mixer to by channel, and then it goes to the computer Via USB. Any Ideas

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JoeH Mon, 11/15/2004 - 07:38

I agree with inLoco and recommend the MOTU line for PC or MAC live recordings if you're looking to start right away. Get an external firewire HD (they're faster than the internal HD's in laptops) and you'll be all set. For a small pub-type band & mixer setup, this could work perfectly for you.

Assuming you want to track wild to the PC/MAC recording system, you'll want the raw tracks as-is, and mix it all later back at the studio, etc. Some boards have Direct outs for each channel, (after the EQ & Fader) and others have channel inserts for patching.

Most decent live boards have channel inserts, and assuming you keep the cables short, you can patch across these and use them for DI's to the inputs of your MOTU (or similar A/D device). Some folks prefer to use the "half-insert" trick to get the signal without interrupting the flow back into the mixer, but there is a more solid technique: Radio Shack sells a stereo-to-mono adapter - a 1/4" TRS plug-to-mono female RCA jack on the other end. This is perfect for tapping off a signal from the inserts without actually breaking the chain. It brings the signal out to the female RCA jack, which in turn lets you run it over to your multitrack. (Keep the runs short & away from noise, of course!) you can track the individual channels this way, nice and clean, no muss, no fuss; mix it all later.

If you've got an aux bux or second send of stereo sends available, make a rough stereo 2-mix to a CDr for backup, too. (It'll save your butt someday.)

I'd go further and suggest you move away from the Behringer as soon as you can affort to. There are many other better brands for what you're looking to do. If you're looking to start clean, you may want to wait a few months and get a Mackie ONYX board with the firewire option built in. (Firewire cards still aren't shipping yet, FYI). With the ONYX line, you can go 4, 8, or 16 channels right out of the firewire card (Post preamp, pre-eq & fader) into a PC or MAC, with 2 returns. All digital on the firewire cable. No other interface needed.

good luck with it & have fun!

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