Skip to main content

Hey all! First post on here, so I hope it's not an overly dumb one.

I've got an EMU 404 USB audio interface, and it's got 2 audio inputs on it. I'm looking in to Micing my drum set to do some recording, and I was wondering if I could use a multi-channel mixer BEFORE the audio interface so I could run more mics.

Say, for example, I plug 6 mics into a mixer, and then run the mixer output into one of the inputs on the EMU404. Good idea? Bad idea? Ban me from the forums kind of idea? :cool:

Thanks!

Comments

TheJackAttack Fri, 12/03/2010 - 21:49

"Land......see Snatch. See! It can be done!"

Sure. You can run the main outputs of a mixer into a two channel interface. If that's all you have then go for it. If you are looking for multi track style audio then this doesn't get it done.

Remember that for decades ALL bands were recorded with six or less mic's all in the same room. Of course the bands came pre rehearsed with the material and the audio engineers were well seasoned for compressing what needed compressing and leaving pristine that which needed to be left undone. tap tap tap......is this thing on?.....

Molotov256 Fri, 12/03/2010 - 22:00

TheJackAttack, post: 358140 wrote: If that's all you have then go for it. If you are looking for multi track style audio then this doesn't get it done.

Cool! I understand multitrack won't work, but usually when we multitrack stuff, we lay it down 1 instrument at a time since I don't have any good method of preventing bleed between mics. We practice/jam/record in 1 compact room in the basement, and I'm not too keen on building sound booths and drum rooms and all that.

That being said, if I hypothetically had an audio interface with an overabundance of inputs, could I do a multitrack recording of the band playing live in real time without hearing an unacceptable amount of drums on the guitar track and vocals on the bass track and so on and so on? If so, then I need to start rethinking everything I think ASAP!

TheJackAttack Fri, 12/03/2010 - 22:05

Molotov256, post: 358144 wrote: That being said, if I hypothetically had an audio interface with an overabundance of inputs, could I do a multitrack recording of the band playing live in real time without hearing an unacceptable amount of drums on the guitar track and vocals on the bass track and so on and so on? If so, then I need to start rethinking everything I think ASAP!

Yes. It requires detailed planning of instrument amps, instruments, pseudo singers, and their respective microphones. You will want things like gobos etc but it definitely can be done. Was done. Shall be done again.

Molotov256 Fri, 12/03/2010 - 22:08

I'm uber n00b at this stuff, so all that stuff about gobos and detailed planning of amps and instruments and all sounds expensive and complicated. However, if we were to go outside of the basement to get a professional recording done, we would LOVE to be able to play all at once - the music just feels much tighter that way.

Barring free personal recording lessons and an unforeseen financial windfall, though, I think I'ma try and find a cheap mixer and stick with our 1 track at a time setup. Thank you for the quick response!

Forgot to ask, but just to clarify, I would want a passive mixer for this application, correct?