Do I need a mixer or what?

Question

I have an electronic drum kit (Alesis DM5) that uses a Left and Right 1/4" output, and an electric guitar using 1/4", a music keyboard with USB out and a MXL 3000 condenser mic. I'd like to plug them all into my computer where I use Cubase and Sonar 7. How do I get them all in there? Mixer or some other type of interface?

Right now I have my guitar going in through an IK StealthPlug which uses Asio input, and my keyboard uses Midi input, so they work together, but my mic wants to conflict with the guitar using Asio also, and my drums I can't even connect unless I stereo the two mono outputs and plug them into my microphone in, and I'm not even sure that would work.

Answer 1

Well, you need phantom power for the condenser - get a cheap Behringer or Tapco 4-channel mixer. They both work well for home recording (personal experience).



You don't want to use your mic in on your computer unless you have a very good quality sound card. Use a preamp or mixer and go into a line in or use a USB interface, try to never use your mic in at all. Poor quality components in the mic in usually = lots more noise.



You can get one of those interfaces that will do everything all at once - 8 or 16 line or mic in's with a USB or Firewire interace into your guitar, but I suggest against it unless you really want to record all instruments at the same time.



It's better to record one instrument at a time - you should only need two channels (L and R) and a decent set of headphones. Put some "scratch" tracks down first, then go back over and rerecord each instrument in turn.



Recording one instrument at a time gives you the highest quality sound, and helps you build your rhythm, having to play in time to a recording. Makes you a better musician, overall.





Saul

Answer 2

I have both a Kitchen Aid Mixer and a hand mixer. I use the Kitchen Aid one mainly for making cookie dough and mixing egg whites. The hand mixer I have isn't strong enough for cookie dough and it's tedious holding it when I have to beat egg whites. I've also used the bread hook to make bread with it. I make a ton of cookies so I use my Kitchen Aid mixer quite often. I use the hand mixer for cake mixes and little tasks that don't need the big stand mixer. Sometimes it's also handy to have both if you make something (like a pie with merengue) that requires using an electric mixer for two different things.

Answer 3

dude, get one of these, you can make cd's. i just got the yamaha dtxplorer. works well with it. also i have guitar,bass,keys, and mic

need help? ask me, been doing it for years

http://www.guitarcenter.com/TASCAM-2488mkII-24-Track-Digital-Portastudio-Recording-Workstation-104229224-i1172349.gc