Audio Mixer
 

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a stereo audio mixer? The immediate and primary
purpose of the same will be to mix the output from three microphones.
It will be good if I had the ability to direct the output one or both
output channels.

The need is to record small public meetings commencing with some live
music (piano) followed by a talk.

However, at some point I would like to be able to mix turntable and
line inputs at home. It seems wasteful to buy two mixers when one
might suffice. For this secondary purpose I need two turntable inputs
and/or two or three line inputs. Switchable turntable/line inputs
would be acceptable.

Output will be to a Behringer UCA202 and a Notebook computer.

Many thanks for your input to my thought process!

Adrian

Audio Mixer
 

Adrian wrote:

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a stereo audio mixer? The immediate and primary
purpose of the same will be to mix the output from three microphones.
It will be good if I had the ability to direct the output one or both
output channels.

The need is to record small public meetings commencing with some live
music (piano) followed by a talk.

However, at some point I would like to be able to mix turntable and
line inputs at home. It seems wasteful to buy two mixers when one
might suffice. For this secondary purpose I need two turntable inputs
and/or two or three line inputs. Switchable turntable/line inputs
would be acceptable.

Output will be to a Behringer UCA202 and a Notebook computer.

Many thanks for your input to my thought process!

Adrian

I feed a Behringer UB1204-PRO directly into a Dell notebook mic jack,
which remarkably doesn't seem to mind it, at low volume.

It seems like a nice mixer, though I prefer the older and now-unavailable
models with the wall wart power supplies, as they generate less RFI
than the newer switching supply ones. But it doesn't matter, if you
don't use them right next to radios.

It doesn't seem to come with a wiring diagram, so you're left extrapolating
from older models that do come with them, as to what goes through what control
to where.
--


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Audio Mixer
 

In article .com,
Adrian wrote:
Can anyone recommend a stereo audio mixer? The immediate and primary
purpose of the same will be to mix the output from three microphones.
It will be good if I had the ability to direct the output one or both
output channels.

The need is to record small public meetings commencing with some live
music (piano) followed by a talk.

However, at some point I would like to be able to mix turntable and
line inputs at home. It seems wasteful to buy two mixers when one
might suffice. For this secondary purpose I need two turntable inputs
and/or two or three line inputs. Switchable turntable/line inputs
would be acceptable.

Sounds like you're into a disco mixer if you want cartridge inputs.
Personally I'd go for a Behringer or Mackie and use external pickup
pre-amps.

For recording speech you want a mixer with a half decent
compressor/limiter.

--
*Never miss a good chance to shut up *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Audio Mixer
 

Adrian wrote:

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a stereo audio mixer? The immediate and primary
purpose of the same will be to mix the output from three microphones.
It will be good if I had the ability to direct the output one or both
output channels.

The need is to record small public meetings commencing with some live
music (piano) followed by a talk.

However, at some point I would like to be able to mix turntable and
line inputs at home. It seems wasteful to buy two mixers when one
might suffice. For this secondary purpose I need two turntable inputs
and/or two or three line inputs. Switchable turntable/line inputs
would be acceptable.

Output will be to a Behringer UCA202 and a Notebook computer.

Many thanks for your input to my thought process!

The only mixers that have magnetic cartridge inputs are 'disco' mixers. These
will be overkill for your original application and 'disco gear' is almost
invariably of lower audio quality than purpose designed microphone mixers, hence
not a good choice since it'll also not be optimal for your original application.

I do know of one example where quality has not been sacrificed .............
(since I designed it !)
http://www.studiomaster.com/fusion.html

But you may find it difficult to find one. You don't say where in the world you
are for example !

The alternative would be to buy a cheap but adequate mic mixer and ditto disco
mixer. Look at Behringer for example. Maybe for example ....
http://behringer.com/UB1202/index.cfm?lang=eng
http://behringer.com/DX626/index.cfm?lang=eng

Graham

Audio Mixer
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

For recording speech you want a mixer with a half decent
compressor/limiter.

Many ppl have managed without compressors just fine.

Graham

Audio Mixer
 

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

For recording speech you want a mixer with a half decent
compressor/limiter.

Many ppl have managed without compressors just fine.

Depends on how you define 'fine'.

The OP suggests it will be for recording public meetings with multi-mics.
So by nature no real chance to pre-set levels at a rehearsal - especially
if there are questions from the audience. Of course if recording to good
digital you could simply record leaving plenty headroom. But then
you'll likely end up with a dynamic range far too great for home listening.

I record speech (as well as other things) for a living and even on drama
where you do get a rehearsal I'd end up with clipping on occasion without
the use of a compressor. In my case, an SQN mixer - which has probably the
finest one available for this sort of thing.

Of course like all these aids you need to know what it does and how to use
it.

--
*Why are they called apartments, when they're all stuck together? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Audio Mixer
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

For recording speech you want a mixer with a half decent
compressor/limiter.

Many ppl have managed without compressors just fine.

Depends on how you define 'fine'.

My defintion of fine is "avoided disturbing modulation of background
noise".

The OP suggests it will be for recording public meetings with multi-mics.
So by nature no real chance to pre-set levels at a rehearsal - especially
if there are questions from the audience. Of course if recording to good
digital you could simply record leaving plenty headroom. But then
you'll likely end up with a dynamic range far too great for home listening.

And what issues may there be that either freeware or modestly priced
software, say sam-ultralite, aka magix home studio or sam lite, aka sam
9SE or something to that effect can not solve?

I record speech (as well as other things) for a living and even on drama
where you do get a rehearsal I'd end up with clipping on occasion without
the use of a compressor.

You *do* manage to avoid clipping the mic input pre, right?

In my case, an SQN mixer - which has probably the
finest one available for this sort of thing.

IMO the questionee needs a "12 channel" Behringer mixer sans digital
effcts and the required number of external phono-pres. He can even get
one tossed in with one of the software packages that comes to mind,
Magix Audio Restoration suite (or something to that effect), multiple
distribution versions, one of those comes with phono-pre amp. There's a
neat lil' sound editor included, as I recall this with compression
capability. There is also Adobe Audition for those that want to use more
money and of course also SAM9.

Of course like all these aids you need to know what it does and how to use
it.

True, the simpler the better, not just for the novice user, for any
user.

Dave Plowman London SW


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

Audio Mixer
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in
message

For recording speech you want a mixer with a half decent
compressor/limiter.

They are relatively rare, particularly if you're talking equipment that is
not fairly expensive.

Audio Mixer
 

"Adrian" wrote in message
oups.com


Can anyone recommend a stereo audio mixer? The immediate
and primary purpose of the same will be to mix the output
from three microphones.

Check out the lower end of Behringer's mixer line. You should be able to
find something for less than $100.

It will be good if I had the
ability to direct the output one or both output channels.

Direct???

Do you mean control the volume?

The need is to record small public meetings commencing
with some live music (piano) followed by a talk.

Pretty straight forward.

However, at some point I would like to be able to mix
turntable and line inputs at home.

Unless you want to accept the limitations, overhead and extra cost of a DJ
mixer, you probably want to provide your own RIAA preamp for the turntable.


Output will be to a Behringer UCA202 and a Notebook
computer.

What's wrong with Berhinger mixers?

Audio Mixer
 

In article ,
Peter Larsen wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
Eeyore wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

For recording speech you want a mixer with a half decent
compressor/limiter.

Many ppl have managed without compressors just fine.

Depends on how you define 'fine'.

My defintion of fine is "avoided disturbing modulation of background
noise".

So you just preset levels and let things happen? Because every time you
move a fader the background will change too. Personally I'd rather have
well balanced voices with a sensisible dynamic range. Intelligibility is
likely to be the order of the day with this sort of recording. Oh - and a
good compressor used sensibly won't produce objectionable pumping.

The OP suggests it will be for recording public meetings with
multi-mics. So by nature no real chance to pre-set levels at a
rehearsal - especially if there are questions from the audience. Of
course if recording to good digital you could simply record leaving
plenty headroom. But then you'll likely end up with a dynamic range
far too great for home listening.

And what issues may there be that either freeware or modestly priced
software, say sam-ultralite, aka magix home studio or sam lite, aka sam
9SE or something to that effect can not solve?

If he's going to multitrack then of course it can be sorted later. But
there's no need to go to these lengths.

I record speech (as well as other things) for a living and even on
drama where you do get a rehearsal I'd end up with clipping on
occasion without the use of a compressor.

You *do* manage to avoid clipping the mic input pre, right?

Of course. Mic amp clipping isn't a problem with decent gear- if you know
how to use it.

In my case, an SQN mixer - which has probably the
finest one available for this sort of thing.

IMO the questionee needs a "12 channel" Behringer mixer sans digital
effcts and the required number of external phono-pres. He can even get
one tossed in with one of the software packages that comes to mind,
Magix Audio Restoration suite (or something to that effect), multiple
distribution versions, one of those comes with phono-pre amp. There's a
neat lil' sound editor included, as I recall this with compression
capability. There is also Adobe Audition for those that want to use more
money and of course also SAM9.

Of course like all these aids you need to know what it does and how to
use it.

True, the simpler the better, not just for the novice user, for any
user.

--
*Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.