Is this mixer any good?

[ikickuintheballs]

Hey, I'm looking to record with a mixer directly into my computer rather than using my dinky mic =P here's one that I think I might buy: http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=...z=922642868060 or a http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=...z=922642868060

Can you tell me if either them are any good for what I want to do? Thanks ahead of time!

-Willzzzz

[CROZ]

If that is your budget I would get one of these instead.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/sh...&netpid=631222


You would at least get some sliders, XLR inputs, etc. This one even has phantom power! Those other ones were just line mixers. Full fledged mixers have a preamp on each channel. Those other ones just blend signals with no flexibility at all.

[ikickuintheballs]

hmm, would a DI be better for what I'm using it for?
I'm thinking of the TubeWorks 4001 for $150: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/sh...&netpid=182010

-Willz

[CROZ]

I haven't heard anything good or bad about that one. I have a Sansamp bass Driver DI and it works pretty good. I 've also heard good things about the Sansamp Acoustic DI and the Countryman DI.
Doesn't your Hartke head have a Direct out?

[ikickuintheballs]

yea, but I want one that I can hook into my computer.. need the XLR plug I think.. *clueless*

-Willz

[CROZ]

what kind of inputs do you have on your sound card? Is it like a soundblaster or something with the 1/8" dia. miniplug? Does it have a dedicated microphone input or anything?

[ikickuintheballs]

it has only 1/8's a line in and a mic input...

-Willz

[CROZ]

The inputs are your card are High impedance so you'll need a line matching transformer to use the low impedance XLR out on your amp.
Here's your options.
1)does your amp have a 1/4" preamp out or a 1/4" direct out? all you would need to use that is an adapter from radioshack to convert the 1/4 in plug to an 1/8 in plug. ($2 only)

2)To connect theXLR on your amp to your soundcard you'll need an XLR mic cable, a line matching transformer (like Whirlwind little imp costs 20$), and a 1/4 to 1/8 in adapter from radioshack (possibly a headphone extension cable type so you don't have the transformer hanging from the input.)

What the line transformer does is the opposite of a DI. It converts low impedance to high whereas a DI converts High to Low. Very handy Item back in the day when I used my old combo amp for the PA...Also good for getting an extra mic input out of a small mixer.

The little mixer I showed you would also work...you would just need a y cable that goes from 1 1/8 in stereo plug to 2 1/4 in mono plugs to be able to use it.

tip: use the line level input... not the mic input. On those soundcard the mic inputs just add extra noise.

[ikickuintheballs]

I have the hartke 3500.. it has the DI out for micing the amp.. I have the adapters that make 1/4" to 1/8" and 1/8" to 1/4".. so no need to spend $$ there.. so what I'm trying to do.. should I use a mixer or a DI? I'm mixed up =)

in #2.. you're saying I'd need a mic cable then that thing which can switch the mic to the 1/4" then I can use the 1/8" adapter to put in my computer? =) it might make sense if that's what you're saying...

-Willzzzz

[CROZ]

Yeah, the line matching transformer isn't as simple as an adapter, though. It not only changes the connector but the signal strength.

[ikickuintheballs]

this? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/sh...&netpid=427600

for what you're talking about.. I just need a regular mic cable?

-Willzzzzzzzz

[CROZ]

Yeah... attach that to the end of the mic cable and then use your 1/4 to 1/8 adapter and you should be golden.

[ikickuintheballs]

awesome, thanks for everything man!

-Willz