Category: accessible Devices
Hello all.
I was wondering if any of you have an audio mixer. I am curious because I'm interested in getting one and wanted to find out more about it. I tried googleing it and found this page that explained them but found it a bit difficult to understand. For example, I have no idea what a bus is and some of the technical terms like preamps and things like that really confused me. I don’t know but I think I have to sort of have it in front of me to understand some of the things they were talking about.
I’d like one mainly for mixing and recording vocals and a keyboard. I’ve tried using cakewalk 9 but don’t get it at all. And I don’t think I’m much good at mixing things over a comp so thought that maybe if I bought a mixer, things would be much easier for me.
I don’t want to get anything over 500 dollars because I understand that I’ve also gotta buy a condenser mic for it as well. So advice on which one is relatively simple to use is very welcome. I’d like to get one with an online manual so I can get the most use out of it if possible. So if you could let me know which brand and model number you found adequate for you that would be very helpful when I look up more info on it.
Lol Hopefully, I didn’t ramble too much. Haha I tend to do that a lot. But if any of you could help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks very much in advance.
Michelle
Good evening Michelle. Unfortunately, I don't have specific moddle numbers for you but I would invite you to considder the following brands. Mackie, Behringer and ART(applied research technology). I have used Mackie and ART and find them to be a good low priced mixer. All of this terminology can bee very confusing and if I can anser any questions please write me or ask here. I've been working in audio production for about 10 years. I presently serve as the sound tech at our church mixing the band as well as recording sermons. We have a very simple system made up of all ART equipment and a set of Mackie powered speakers. The board and two grafic equalizers are both ART. they are inespensive and I find them quite effective for what we do. You should have no problem finding a board in your price range. Have a great evening and again, please feel free to write to me if I can help or explaine anything. Google the brands I gave you and you will find places you can purchase the boards.
A bus is pretty much a designated signal path or output. Let's say your sound card or whatever recording source's input is connected to the output of the bus. You can then route your keyboard to that bus, record a keyboard part, keep the microphone on and connected, but not routed to the bus. You are then able to record the keyboard and the keyboard only, and the microphone could just stay in your headphones and not be recorded if you wanted to sing along while recording your keys part. Hope i was clear enough. LOL
I've never even seen an audio mixer, and I'd like to learn more about audio production myself. My parents said I could have the digital piano when I move out from under their roof, and I'd like to put it to goo use.
I think for your purposes, one of the Behringer Xenix boards would work well, and they have USB out so if you want to digitally send your work to a computer, the option's there. Also the Alesis Multimix would work. Mackies are good boards, but price to performance for what you're looking for to get started, a bit overkill.
Oh now Jesse, I'm hurt! I love macki. Um, well really, like your idea. Didn't know about the usb outs on the berenger. I have never used an aleses board although I have used there drum machines and like them. I did use an aleses eq and have to admit really didn't like it at all. Did use berenger and found them good so I'd stick with the berenger solution. sounds like it would have everything you need.
Wow! Thank you all so much for responding to this. All of your advice was very helpful and I will definitely have lots to choose from. I am actually debating between 2 mixers. The first one I found at Guitar center.com for under $300. It's the Behringer Xenyx 2222FX Mixer. It even has a manual in pdf format that I was able to download but can not read for some reason. lol But I'm still trying to work on that.
But anyway, this is what I coppied from the sight and if you have the time, please let me know what you think. haha I'm still an amiture at this so please forgive me. lol
Beefy I/O, killer effects, and everything you need for a smokin' home studio.
The Xenyx 2222FX has 22 inputs and 3 aux sends for each channel. Additionally, 2 subgroups with separate outputs have been incorporated for routing flexibility.
Behringer's innovative Xenyx mixers provide the home recordist and club musician with pristine sound quality and cutting-edge features for very little
outlay.
The new Xenyx Mic Preamp approaches the sound quality, transparency, headroom, and even the dynamic range of boutique-style, standalone mic preamps. Behringer's
neo-classic British EQ" brings back the warmth and musicality of those 60s and 70s mega-console desks that made music history. The Xenyx FX mixers incorporate
a new studio-grade 24-bit FX processor wth 100 real-world and awesome effect presets. The Xenyx 1204 and higher models come with a USB/audio interface
for direct plug & play connectivity to your Windows© or Mac© computer.
Behringer Xenyx 2222FX Mixer Features:
list of 14 items
Premium ultra low-noise, high headroom analog mixer
6 state-of-the-art XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to standalone boutique preamps
Neo-classic "British" 3-band EQs with semi-parametric mid band for warm and musical sound
Studio-grade 24-bit stereo FX processor with 100 awesome presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and various multi-effects
USB/Audio Interface included to connect directly to your computer
Channel inserts on each mono channel for flexible connection of outboard equipment
3 aux sends per channel: 1 pre fader for monitoring, 1 pre/post fader switchable for monitoring/FX applications, 1 post fader (for internal FX or as external
send)
Peak LEDs, mute, main mix and subgroup routing switches, solo and PFL functions on all channels
2 subgroups with separate outputs for added routing flexibility; 3 multi-functional stereo aux returns with flexible routing
Balanced main mix outputs with ¬" jack and gold-plated XLR connectors, separate control room, headphones and stereo tape outputs
Control room/phones outputs with multi-input source matrix; Tape inputs assignable to main mix or control room/phones outputs
Long-wearing 60-mm logarithmic-taper faders and sealed rotary controls
Internal autorange power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy
saving
Rack mount brackets included for ultimate flexibility
list end
The second one I found that I'm considering is one for about $330 with a bit more preamps and inputs. I don't mind spending that amount but the thing is I couldn't find an online manual for it. the model is Behringer Xenyx 2442FX.
The Xenyx 2442FX has 24 inputs and 4 aux sends for each channel. Additionally, 4 subgroups with separate outputs have been incorporated for routing flexibility.
Behringer's innovative Xenyx mixers provide the home recordist and club musician with pristine sound quality and cutting-edge features for very little
outlay. The new Xenyx Mic Preamp approaches the sound quality, transparency, headroom, and even the dynamic range of boutique-style, standalone mic preamps.
Behringer's neo-classic British EQ" brings back the warmth and musicality of those 60s and 70s mega-console desks that made music history. The Xenyx FX
mixers incorporate a new studio-grade 24-bit FX processor wth 100 real-world and awesome effect presets. The Xenyx 1204 and higher models come with a USB/audio
interface for direct plug & play connectivity to your Windows© or Mac© computer.
Behringer Xenyx 2442FX Features:
list of 15 items
Premium ultra low-noise, high headroom analog mixer
10 state-of-the-art XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to standalone boutique preamps
Neo-classic "British" 3-band EQs with semi-parametric mid band for warm and musical sound
Studio-grade 24-bit stereo FX processor with 100 awesome presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and various multi-effects
USB/Audio Interface included to connect directly to your computer. Free audio recording and editing software downloadable at www.behringer.com
Channel inserts and direct outputs on each mono channel plus main mix inserts for flexible connection of outboard equipment
4 aux sends per channel: 2 pre/post fader switchable for monitoring/FX applications, 2 post fader (for internal FX or as external send)
Peak LEDs, mute, main mix and subgroup routing switches, solo and PFL functions on all channels
4 subgroups with separate outputs for added routing flexibility; 4 multi-functional stereo aux returns with flexible routing
Balanced main mix outputs with ¬" jack and gold-plated XLR connectors, separate control room, headphones and stereo tape outputs
Control room/phones outputs with multi-input source matrix; Tape inputs assignable to main mix or control room/phones outputs
Long-wearing 60 mm logarithmic-taper faders and sealed rotary controls
Internal autorange power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy
saving
Rack mount brackets included for ultimate flexibility
High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
list end
lol I know this was a lot of info to throw out at one time. haha But I'd appreciate your oppinions on this matter. Thanks very much in advance.
A very greatful Michelle
Michelle, unless I missed something while reading the specks if you don't need it go for the lower priced mixer. It seems like the only difference is more stuff and if you think you are going to grow in to working with a band or needing to attach more equipment to the mixer then the second higher priced one is the one you like. If you have the money to spens it's always good to get something you can grow in to and not out of but if you don't have the bucks the first one is perfect. I would like to suggest being sure you get the balanced xlr outputs and I don't know how much that would add to the price because they did say optional. XLR is usually the standard way of connecting to other devices. Quarter inch is good too but it's nice to have the flexibillity of both. Also, I would be interested in clarification of semi-parametric EQ. It's the semi I don't understand. I run the same type of configuration at church and having the parametrick midrange is extrordinarily helpful. So, after all of that I would say make your choice based on what you believe you will be doing with it in the future. Thanks for posting those specks. really, those sound like a nice pair of mixers. I did use a berenger(spelled wrong) for recording and it was nice and quiet.