Setting up home studio, need help on newbie Mixer

[DJDarkViper]

Hey Everyone!


Three things id like to ask to those so inclined:

1. I bought me an Alesis Multimix 8 USB Mixerboard. Its so barebones it almost hurts but it has some functionality within it id like to unlock!
I was sold on this thing with the prospect of being able to separate the audio streams from each input at the same time.

What do i mean? Say i got two hosts of a podcast going and an iPod for streaming music in the BG, id like their voices separate as well as the music so i can make adjustments to each input in post-editing for the best possible outcome.

Now im aware this Mixerboard is USB1.1 and im running Windows Vista so there may be an incompatability, as even CuBase4 LE wont recognize the iO2 USB 1.1 drivers (nor will anything else, inf act the program outright crashes)

So if its an incompatability, ill bite until i upgrade to a USB2.0 board (preferably with more inputs) but if not, id liek some help getting that setup.


2. Youll notice theres only 1 headphone jack on that mixerboard. But its got Aux L and Rs directly underneath it (same Column if you will), is there somehow id be able to add more Headphones to those for hearing of the final mix?

I remember asking someone about Headphone splitters, but the ones shown to me only allow 1 to be split into 2 and thats it... Id like upwards of 4 in the grand scheme of things.
The non-elegant solution in my head tells me to add splitters into splitter jacks until 4 inputs are available. I can only imagine this wont work and if it does the end quality would be so horrible that the efforts not worth it.
When i asked for "multi-splitters" no one knows what im talking about lol.


Anyone got any suggestions on this?



3. Im using an iPod for BG music. Im using a Male to male 1/8 and a 1/8-/14 gold plated converter end, and plunked directly into the mixer input.
When i do this i notice something kind of funky. Like, half the musics missing on playback.
Its like its being played back in Mono on Asymmetrical Stereo streams. How can i fix this?




lots of questions, i know, haha, color me "newb", but any help would be DEFINITELY appreciated!


-k

 

[phlakvest]

Question 1
Here's a trick you can use with your mixer.
1. Take mic one and fade it all the way to the left.
2. Take mic two and fade it all the way to the right.
Then the left channel going to the computer is mic one, the right is mic 2. Split them to seperate tracks in the software then mix them back to stereo when you are done. You'll have to add the audio in post. But I would prefer doing that anyways so you have more control of it.

If your looking to upgrade what kind of budget are you looking at?

I learned on pro-tools so I'm kindof partial to the digidesign/mbox devices.

The mbox 2 has 2 pre-amps and 2 line level inputs that it can all run simulteous.
It runs around $500, but you arent going to get much cheaper and still have 2 pre-amps (mic inputs.)
http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=1&navid=29&itemid=4893

Question 2
If the same mix for both sets of headphones will work then just get a 1/4" splitter. If you need seperate level controlls your gunna have to get a headphone mixer or amp for the aux out.

Question 3
The 1/4" inputs on your mixer are mono. You will have to get a stereo 1/8th to 2- mono 1/4 to get full stereo music from your mixer.

 

[DJDarkViper]

Question 1
Here's a trick you can use with your mixer.
1. Take mic one and fade it all the way to the left.
2. Take mic two and fade it all the way to the right.
Then the left channel going to the computer is mic one, the right is mic 2. Split them to seperate tracks in the software then mix them back to stereo when you are done. You'll have to add the audio in post. But I would prefer doing that anyways so you have more control of it.

If your looking to upgrade what kind of budget are you looking at?

I remember experimenting with that very idea but i think oddly enough the single stream output thats being conveyed to my recording software (Cubase4 LE, SoundForge9, MixCraft, ACiD3, and Audacity) is coming out as Mono though i admittedly only experimented with the idea for 5 minutes before going onto the next major problem.

When i get home ill give it another go!

as for Budget? Im only running free podcasts (for the time being) so anything less than $500 before tax would be my absolute top mark there.
I was looking at an Alesis MultiMix 16 USB 2.0, that runs at about $450CAD, and the MultiMix 8 USB2.0 runs about $399
Of course, ive also looked at some Fostex equipment, the Fostex MR-8/HD seems like itd be sufficient enough portable Multi-track recorder so i could setup my equipment most anywhere but that thing gets a little pricey at $599CAD (depsite the online stores saying its like $299USD )

I plan on upgrading not just the core mixer either, replacing all the Mics with even cheap Sennheiser E815S Microphones would make me overzealous in happiness, but getting a few Sennheiser HD201 Headphones for everyone to wear would just complete the package for me.
(im a pretty big Sennheiser brand whore haha)

I learned on pro-tools so I'm kindof partial to the digidesign/mbox devices.

The mbox 2 has 2 pre-amps and 2 line level inputs that it can all run simulteous.
It runs around $500, but you arent going to get much cheaper and still have 2 pre-amps (mic inputs.)
[LINK REMOVED]

Software that requires specific hardware to run always makes me a little edgy, but i do know first hand that Pro-Tools is an industry grade brand name with lots of respect behind it.

Admittedly, Alesis wasn't and isn't my first choice (ill be grabbing a Drum-Brain from them soon though) but its the best brand the store i deal with has (Wentworth Music Canada) and a far cry better than my Peavey Versamix i had before. How and why? At least the Alesis runs haha.

Question 2
If the same mix for both sets of headphones will work then just get a 1/4" splitter. If you need seperate level controlls your gunna have to get a headphone mixer or amp for the aux out.

Yeah same mix should work for all headphones to make sure everyones hearing the closest to the final product as possible. The idea is to get everyone to subconsciously lower and raise their voice to avoid complications in levels Post-Edit and allow them to alter their pitch to conform to how they want to sound on air, and i feel as long as they can hear this in real time, there shouldnt be anymore comments like "... uhh i dont want to do this anymore, i hate the sound of my voice on this thing"

Question 3
The 1/4" inputs on your mixer are mono. You will have to get a stereo 1/8th to 2- mono 1/4 to get full stereo music from your mixer.

2 mono 1/4"s? Is this a converter end? Like what specifically am i looking at here, and if you have a link to a picture or something, thatd be the best thing ever.



Thanks for allowing me your time, and i appreciate that you actually answer all the questions Thanks man!



-k

 

[phlakvest]

I plan on upgrading not just the core mixer either, replacing all the Mics with even cheap Sennheiser E815S Microphones would make me overzealous in happiness, but getting a few Sennheiser HD201 Headphones for everyone to wear would just complete the package for me.
(im a pretty big Sennheiser brand whore haha)



Software that requires specific hardware to run always makes me a little edgy, but i do know first hand that Pro-Tools is an industry grade brand name with lots of respect behind it.

Protools will run with other hardware. But you have to have its hardware plugged in. (it uses its mixer as a software licensing dongle)
Protools is a little overkill for podcasts. You can easily get away with audacity for them. I would look into adobe audition (previously cooledit) if you are looking at new software. Its kindof the industry standard for radio work. (at least around here)

I was recomending the mbox from a hardware standpoint mainly. It should be compatible with most any software.

Do you have firewire? if so take a look at the presonus firebox.
http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=4
It says it does 6 simultanious inputs. But you might want to verify it multitracks them.

Its in the $250-300 range.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=184133V

Yeah same mix should work for all headphones to make sure everyones hearing the closest to the final product as possible. The idea is to get everyone to subconsciously lower and raise their voice to avoid complications in levels Post-Edit and allow them to alter their pitch to conform to how they want to sound on air, and i feel as long as they can hear this in real time, there shouldnt be anymore comments like "... uhh i dont want to do this anymore, i hate the sound of my voice on this thing"

You will need a seperate mixer if you want to controll the headphone levels seperatly. (use the alesis as a headphone mixer if you get a new mixer.)

2 mono 1/4"s? Is this a converter end? Like what specifically am i looking at here, and if you have a link to a picture or something, thatd be the best thing ever.

I didn't see a good picture of the MultiMix so I couldn't read the labels. But it looks like you have a stereo RCA aux in. Get a stereo 1/8 to 2 RCA adapter and plug the ipod into that input.
If it doesnt have an input like that then you will have to get an adapter like this http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSCMP15 and plug the left into chanel 5, right into channel 6.

Thanks for allowing me your time, and i appreciate that you actually answer all the questions Thanks man!

Just like with standardized tests. If you don't know the answer at least guess.

 

[DJDarkViper]

You will need a seperate mixer if you want to controll the headphone levels seperatly. (use the alesis as a headphone mixer if you get a new mixer.)

Hmm ok, but for the time being, how do i split up that headphone signal at least 3 ways? They can all share the same volume

I didn't see a good picture of the MultiMix so I couldn't read the labels. But it looks like you have a stereo RCA aux in. Get a stereo 1/8 to 2 RCA adapter and plug the ipod into that input.
If it doesnt have an input like that then you will have to get an adapter like this and plug the left into chanel 5, right into channel 6.

Will do! Perfect!


also as for the Firewire thing, i am fortunate enough to have a system that supports firewire. Ill look into this thing,


one new question:

Im currently using Microphones that use 1/4" male jacks for their inputs. And i notice they do NOT get much volume even when i CRANK the volume to the highest levels.
Would getting an XLR converter end remedy this? i got 4 inputs for that.
Also haha my Sony Mic, is an 1/8 by default, its still viable to use a 1/4 converter and then an XLR converter? haha (i didn't spot any 1/8s to XLR at The Source)

 

[phlakvest]

Hmm ok, but for the time being, how do i split up that headphone signal at least 3 ways? They can all share the same volume

You can try a 3-way splitter. But if the volume on them is not high enough you will need to get a headphone mixer with an amp.

one new question:

Im currently using Microphones that use 1/4" male jacks for their inputs. And i notice they do NOT get much volume even when i CRANK the volume to the highest levels.
Would getting an XLR converter end remedy this? i got 4 inputs for that.
Also haha my Sony Mic, is an 1/8 by default, its still viable to use a 1/4 converter and then an XLR converter? haha (i didn't spot any 1/8s to XLR at The Source)

Are you cranking the gain also? From the pictures it looks like the black knobs at the top of the board.

A converter for 1/4" to XLR isnt going to do you any good. You will have to get a direct injection (DirectBox) to run that mic into an XLR jack. Thats going to cost as much as getting better mics.

If your going to get more in depth with recording its probably worth your money to get a book or two on home recording. If I remember when I go home tonight I will dig out my textbooks from my recording classes and try to make some recommendations.

 

[DJDarkViper]

You can try a 3-way splitter. But if the volume on them is not high enough you will need to get a headphone mixer with an amp.

I got me a headphone splitter today and it works wonders, will have to try and split the signal at least once more to acheive the overall desired effect

Are you cranking the gain also? From the pictures it looks like the black knobs at the top of the board.

A converter for 1/4" to XLR isnt going to do you any good. You will have to get a direct injection (DirectBox) to run that mic into an XLR jack. Thats going to cost as much as getting better mics.

If your going to get more in depth with recording its probably worth your money to get a book or two on home recording. If I remember when I go home tonight I will dig out my textbooks from my recording classes and try to make some recommendations.

Ya i was cranking the gain which is why i was so confused, but i found my problem, my "main mix" knob was actually cranked down without my realization, suddenly im maxing out the levels haha.


So instead of the 2 way converter LR aux thing for the iPod, as i was scrounging around i noticed converter ends that looked exactly like the type i was using, but the working on the package was different This time i picked up a 1/8th Stereo - 1/4 Mono, and BAM, sounds BEAUTIFUL.

I immediately sat my roommate down, handed him his mic and headphones and went to town with a test recording totally improv and impromptu;
blackjagstudios.com / area51 / 01272009.mp3
(apparently not allowed to post real links yet )

Its not quite perfect, but its getting there, slowly but surely


Really appreciating all the help im getting man, its really doing wonders here