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Newbie - Possible Equipment - Sanity Check - PLEASE

LowDown Hal

LowDown Hal

Aug 30, 2007
1,486
7
southeast Michigan
#1
I intend to build a new Windows-XP based PC for my practice space. The idea is to eventually be able to call this area my "studio" :bassist:

I'm thinking about starting with a Behringer Xenex 2442FX. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
This gives me plenty of room to grow and learn. In the meant time I will be able to record two tracks at a time into the PC sound card. :hyper:

If / when I need to record more channels simultaneously I can simply get something like the Presonus FireStudio Project. http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=43
If I understand correctly I can use either the 8 direct outs or the 4 sub outs from the Behringer to input into this Presonus. :hmm:

:help::help: Any comments / corrections / suggestions ??

THANKS
 
#2
my band uses the same Behringer mixer. I think it is a great mixer. I am not sure that you will NEED a multi-input interface. The Behringer comes with a USB interface. You can just mix from the board. However, if you really NEED to have two seperate tracks (acoustic guitar and vocals at same time) then TASCAM and MAUDIO both make great ones. I just think that if you are recording just for yourself then you only need a single input. This is what I do:

1.Set up a click track
2. Lay the bass line
3. Lay the guitar
4. Sing
5. add some drum loops at at some point (between three and four)

I don't really need more than one input at a time. If you are recording a duet- then you get more complicated. When I record the band I use the mixer and the interface that came with it... I also use Audiacity. Great little program. The mix I get from the board is usually good for what we need.


BTW: We use that mixer live and it is really a good mixer. It has more inputs and outputs than you really need.
 
#4
I'm not sure. Lets establish this: The only way to have separate tracks to your software is to have them run in separate channels on your interface. So if your mixer, Such as the Behringer you discussed earlier, has 16 channels but your interface only has one... then your computer can only record one "track at a time". This track will be a mix from your mixer.

If I understand you right, you want to take this single track and record it in stereo. You want to use the left channel for Guitar and Right for Vocals (just an example). In your software editor I imagine you would then split the left and right channels into two separate tracks. I suppose you could do this. I have never tried it.

I have a six channel mixer here and a single input MAudio Fasttrack interface. I will give it try for you and see how it goes. Give me some time to get back to you. *subscribe*
 
#5
I gave it try. This is what I did:

Equipment used-
5 String Ken Rose Bass
SansAmp Bass Driver DI
Zoom B1X (used as a drum machine)
Behringer Xenyx 802 (this is my at home mixer)
M-Audio Fast Track Guitar Interface


Channel 1: Bass through DI Box into XLR IN. I panned this to the LEFT.

Channel 2: Drum machine 1/4 to 1/4 LINE IN. I panned this to the right.

The first attempt was unsuccesful. The mixer has a Left and Right 1/4" MAIN OUT. I have them running into a Y-connector and then to the interface. No good... it defeats the whole "stereo" idea.

I don't have an XLR cable that terminates on the other end in a double end 1/4". So I have no way to run a "stereo" mix into the interface. I would need to hit the local guitar shop and buy the right cable and connectors. I didn't realize that I wasn't stereo until now. Thanks.

The Second Attempt was better. I ran a direct stereo line from the headphone out on the mixer to the interface. Bingo. I had bass in the left and drums in the right. I captured a 30 second doodle and split the tracks easy.

So, I guess the answer is... yes it can be done. It would be easier if I had the correct cables. It would probably sound better too.:rolleyes:

Let me know how it works out for you. I am setting up a "studio" for myself as well.
 
#6
Gregg,

Thanks for verifying my understanding.

Am I correct in thinking that with the Behringer Xenex 2442FX I "could" record up to 12 tracks simultaneously, assuming of course that I had a 12 channel computer input device of some sort? My belief is that I can get 8 tracks from the Direct Outputs (corresponding to inputs 1-8) and an additional 4 tracks from the Subgroup outputs (configured for some mix of the remaining inputs) ????
 
#7
Hmm... I don't know. I have never worked with an interface like that before.

You know, the local community college here (Camden County College, NJ) offers a bunch of classes on recording and live sound. I don't know if they offer one at your local school... however for a three credit course and I think like $40 a credit... a hundred fifty bucks of education can go a long way here. I am taking the recording studio class this fall. It is once a week at night.

I have worked in radio and broadcasting for a thirteen years... but I just don't know as much about the "engineering" as I should. I am a button pusher. I can edit audio and video with no problem. But what is "under the hood" is where my knowledge is lacking. When we record bands or do live remotes the engineering guys take care it. They are a great source of info, but radio and recording are two very different animals. Same species though.

I think I am attempting to do what you are doing as far as a home studio goes. Just on a smaller scale. Let me how your doing... that way we can learn from each others experiance. First, I have to convert my slightly damp basement into a "BASSMENT". The studio portion is next.:ninja: Keep in touch.
 

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