Vigilante said:
So based on my initial reading over there, it seems all I need is a mixer. Plain and simple. Only it's not so simple, because the mixer isn't computer connected like with USB or Firewire. Which means I'd have to have a decent sound card to take the outputs from the mixer into the PC. One product, from Yamaha, is a 10 channel mixer:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG102. It has the 2 mic inputs as well as others. But not direct PC connection. At the same time, it's cheap. And assuming I have a good sound card, can it get me good recordings?
I can't answer questions about the specific product. However, I have tried several random low cost mixers and many seem to have audible noise/hiss issues; that's unacceptable to me. I ended up with a Behringer UB1202 mixer that I use as a mic pre for acoustical measurements, as a general purpose headphone amp and for general recording. I find that it has no noise[it's silent] problems when you set the levels correctly. The mic pre seems fine as well. It also uses high quality parts[switches, pots and op amps] throughout, even though it's low cost. My only beef with it, is that there is not an on/off switch. You have to unplug it to turn it off. However, I do the opposite: it's been turned on for basicly 2 or 3 years straight.
Say you were to compare a general mixer like this, from whoever, to the M-Audio, or any USB/Firewire device; are they pretty much the same, only one adds USB/Firewire instead of making you use normal audio cables output to input?
That is basicly correct. However, the USB-computer units don't tend to have as many options as the stand alone mixers. The BCA2000 was an exception, and is not much more expensive that the M-Audio unit that you referenced, and that is why I suggested that unit.
There now you see why this is so confusing? How can it be both a mic and line input? If line inputs should only be connected to line outputs?
The channel may have two input stages instead of just one. A line level input and a mic level input. Thus it could be used for either purpose, but you would have to check the product details to see if this is the case.
Now that brings me back to another issue. Because I want to do all the effects and editing on the PC, why would I need a mixer? I would have no need to change pan or EQ or effects or even levels. I can do all that in the PC. So a mixer with 10 knobs per channel also seems overkill.
In the truest sense, all I need is a mic preamp and then lineout the signal to my linein on the soundcard. But since I want 2 channels or more, that becomes a mixer. But since I don't need the onboard effects, the USB connected devices are simpler in design, but can cost more then a small mixer.
It is true that you can get away without using a mixer, provided you have a mic preamp, since you will be doing all editing/mixing on the computer. It's a matter of what is easiest for you; as in do you want the further flexibility and routing that a mixer can provide for you in various situations?
If I wanted all effects onboard, I would probably shell out for a 4 track recorder instead and a mixer. Right? Not really computer controlled, but could be. And I could still have a lot of fun recording 4 tracks. But those recoders get up in price. And somehow the thought of recording to ancient tapes seems less then decent quality. So around my thoughts go to recording to PC again.
No need for analog tape. I think you can get a HD MiniDisc recorder with line input[albeit, only 2 channels] that can record relatively long using a lossless digital format if you need a relatively affordable portable recording system. A small mixer would be ideal to interface to it with.
As for the sound card route: the best low cost option is the E-MU 0404. It costs $100 and has technically superb performance, regardless of price. If you move up to the E-MU1212M($200), it is even better for your applications, as it has balanced inputs/outputs. These particular cards have massive signal to noise ratios, which mainly makes it easier for you record more easily without risk of clipping.
-Chris
