why do you want the mixer ?

I would suggest a Mic-pre or channel strip
and a speaker monitor switcher

both simple and of good quality

the mixer will always be your weekest link and people will constantly suggest an upgrade

on the surface it doesn't look like you have multiple sources worth mixing ?

if you don't need 5 headphones then the Monitor Controller may be able to provide enough headphone control

Since you will probably be doing this "in the box", the mixer isnt required as you already have one in software form.

Personally, I'd replace the mixer with a control surface or some preamps.

Kev wrote: why do you want the mixer ?

I would suggest a Mic-pre or channel strip
and a speaker monitor switcher

both simple and of good quality

the mixer will always be your weekest link and people will constantly suggest an upgrade

on the surface it doesn't look like you have multiple sources worth mixing ?

if you don't need 5 headphones then the Monitor Controller may be able to provide enough headphone control

I really dont know to be honest with you. I have little production set up and I have little mixer which is where I connect everything through to my monitors(output to speakers and output to headphones), i guess just to make it a little easier for me to control whats coming out my monitors?

Ill be mixing entirely with software, basically all the hardware is to help me record a good clean vocals or maybe guitar...

so mic pre/channel strip is better for recording?

what is a speaker monitor switcher and a monitor controller btw?

also I was thinking of a separate control for my monitor and headphones in the booth and out the booth(if im not using the speaker). What would i need to make that happen?

sorry for all the question, im fairly new to this recording thing. Thanks.

kelly644 wrote: Since you will probably be doing this "in the box", the mixer isnt required as you already have one in software form.

Personally, I'd replace the mixer with a control surface or some preamps.

What kind of control surface would you suggest? Do you think I should buy a cheaper mixer just to control my outputs and buy a pre amp also?

any suggestion would be appreciated....

what is your budget?

what kind of music?

what is the purpose, are you recording other people or just yourself?

what kind of final product do you expect? do you want to release records or just for "demos"?

"a little recording spot" is a very subjective thing. I feel i have a "little recording spot" and i have over 10k into my setup. I wish I had more, it won't ever stop.

i'll give my answers when you get back with yours.

steve

Recorder wrote: what is a speaker monitor switcher and a monitor controller btw?
also I was thinking of a separate control for my monitor and headphones in the booth and out the booth(if im not using the speaker). What would i need to make that happen?

not sure what the in the booth and out of the booth is and you never said you had a booth

for some solo-ists a little Blue-Tooth goes a very long way

BUT
back to the monitor switcher
it can be as simple as a passive volume control and or mute
My web site have lots of DIY electronics and I'm not suggesting you have to look but you will find descriptions.

there are commercial units about and some of the budget people like Behringer and Mackie and Presonus ... and more do have units

the basic idea is that a SoundCard (even the Mbox) doesn't have enough controll to handle multiple speakers and Headphone distribution
AND
doesn't have the facility to have a simple CDplayer or MP3player to be plugged into it

if you had a box on the desk that could handle a couple of inputs and have sperate volume controls for Main Monitor and Headphone Monitor
and provide a quick mute switch for both those outputs
things do get very simple and for the solo-ist the song writing gets much easier

I have set people up with the B or Alto Headphone Amp as the only unit

Sound Card to HPamp

1st output - your headphones
2nd output - your friends headphones
3rd output - your simple computer speakers (unless these are on the Computer's SC)
4th output - I'right handed so I like it there
main speaker volume control

:shock:

yes there is no reason you can't send this output to a typical powered monitor
sometimes I have used a line pad

this gives you a volume control and simple eq for each stereo feed from your Music Sound Card
you also have a fast MUTE button

when you are about to record you mute the Main Monitors and you are safe to assign the Mic with out feedback

I'll shut up now, cos you are probably thinking ... WOT the F ???
8)

I'm happy to go further to explain a full set-up using some of the gear you have suggested above

Thanks for all the help. I figured out what i would need.