Mixer/interface N00b question

I'm looking for a mixer and interface (possibly combined) for home jamming and recording.

I got a couple of the volca synths for Christmas, and I want to be able to jam and record up to 4 synths at a time. I will probably want to be able to run my guitar into it too.

I get confused by the number of inputs, as they're not all the same right? I don't really understand all the differences. I see the XLR inputs are generally used for mics. I probably will only need one of those at most, but if a mixer had two, could I used one for guitar or synth with a jack to xlr lead?

This Behringer mixer is what I'm looking at (http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Mixers/Analog-Mixers/Q802USB/p/P0ALM) but I don't know if it's giving me what I want.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.


Thanks

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Comments

  • spark240spark240 Frets: 2073
    Well thats got 4 inputs, plus a stereo return, 2 of them are mic or line. How do you plan to record, are you using a PC/Mac ?


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  • wave100wave100 Frets: 150
    I have one of these mixers which I use for a live laptop/synth rig. It works ok and is cheap however it only records at 16 bit - perhaps I am a fussy bugger but I like to record at 24 bit. I ended up recording the analogue output of the mixer into my 24 bit capable SPL Crimson interface. The jack sockets below the mic inputs are line inputs which should be capable of accepting guitar signals, especially if you use a multi fx or similar. However, as a USB interface it only records the stereo outputs of the of the desk, so you would not be able to record each synth onto an individual track on the computer to apply fx and edit and mix later (except by recording each instrument individually) which might not cover the "jam" requirement.

    I believe your requirements would be better met by something like this:- 
    https://uk.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-18i8

    which would allow you to record 4 synths, guitar and mics simultaneously to seperate tracks. It is considerably more expensive though.

    The other downside is that the mixer you linked to has basically 2 mono and 2 stereo inputs, lets say you use 1 mono input for guitar, one for a mic, you do technically still have 4  inputs left for your synths however 2 would be panned hard left and 2 hard right, so you would probably need a model above this that had more input channels to achieve a reasonable mix, assuming you are happy to record the mix in a live take to stereo.

    Hope that helps!

    :)


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  • gusman2xgusman2x Frets: 919

    It certainly does, thank you @wave100 @spark240 ; .

    I plan to record into a mac and use garageband. Not so bothered about the recording output only being stereo, as I think I'd prob be recording parts individually anyway. One thing that someone said is that the Behringer mixer/interface all in one might struggle with the guitar input, as the input is not an instrument or hi-z input?

    Looking at it, I'd probably be best getting an interface. But if I want an interface with more than a couple of inputs, it's looking like big money.

    Might consider getting a cheap interface https://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Computer-Audio/Audio-Interfaces/UM2/p/P0AVV#

    and a cheap mixer.

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