MPC directly to soundcard vs through a mixer

At the moment Im going directly from the mpc to my pc... I was toying with the idea of getting a new mixer (soundcraft m8 ) that has ability to put individual outs into my soundcard, which would mean I could use the eqs from the mixer.

Is this really worth it?...also, would there be any added 'noise' from not running directly to soundcard?...Basically, Im just wondering how others track their songs.

thanks

I think it really depends on whether you prefer moving physical knobs & faders, or clicking on pictures of them with a mouse.

A good mixer won't add any unwanted noise to your track, plus you get instantly tweakable EQ & the ability to add hardware signal processors to sounds before they are in your computer

now youve put it that way, I think I may go the mixer route (mainly for future expansion of hardware fx before entering the pc)

What up Dynamis, I'm still bumping that CD...

if you have the eight outs i would suggest getting a soundcard with 8 inputs so that you can fully track your beats onto software and then edit from there. If you just get a mixer u will only be able to mix your tracks there and you will lose that once you record a stereo track into your comp from the mixer...feel me?

I used to have a Mackie mixer, but sold it. It's nice to have eq and faders for all your channels when you're recording, but once you've tracked everything to your computer you may still have to change some stuff.

My point is... I tend to records some tracks real fast without beeing to anal about the sound. If i got a beat in my head, i just need to put it down quick, and then eq and mix it later. That's why a mixer won't work for me. I bought a control surface with some motorfaders now, so i can still mix hands on at any time i like.

This is precisely the question I recently had to consider when setting up my home studio.

The ideal situation in most studios is to have a mixer channel for each input, if possible, and having use of a multi-channel soundcard. Using a 'real' mixer is far more intuitive (fun, hands-on, educational, satisfying......etc,etc). By connecting the MPC's 8 outputs to their own mixer channels your studio will become much more flexible in a variety of ways. The most obvious being the fact that you will be using 'real' faders to mix your tracks, without having to touch a mouse! You can also add 'live' instruments and/or vocals to your mix at the mixer stage. It will be easier to sample into your MPC if a line from the mixer outputs is permanently connected to the record inputs on the MPC (digital or analogue) Another benefit is that you will be able to use your outboard gear (or the mixer itself) to process your tracks individually before they reach your computer. This reduces the load on your CPU generated by running multiple audio tracks, plug-in's and virtual instruments. This is good news if your PC is struggling with the load!

If your soundcard has 8 or more audio inputs this would be the ideal setup for an XL owner. Along with the aforementioned mixer, 8 audio inputs will allow you to track your beats, fully mixed, into your PC in a single pass! Providing your program is capable of simultaneous multi-track recording, of course! This setup will also allow you to use your software plug-ins on individual tracks.

Despite the fact that you can mix in software, every serious studio I know of still use a 'real' mixer as the hub of their set-up. Why? Why does the MPC have 8 (costly) outputs? What is a patchbay really for? Why do the best producers still use (analogue?) outboard gear?

So, if you are serious, at least get a decent mixer (At least 12-16 channels). I use a Yamaha O2R digital mixer (40 channels). If serious understates your passion, you also need a multi-channel soundcard (at least 8-16 input channels). I personally use a Steinberg VSL20/20 which as the name suggests provides 20 channels in/ 20 channels out simultaneously. If you can connect your mixer and soundcard digitally, even better! A 16 track recording studio is a good target to aim for [IMHO].

Hope this helps anyone asking the same question!

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thanks Clint.....Ive been running mpc directly into soundcard (echo layla with 8 ins/outs) and definitly think I also need to get a separate mixer (with outs at each channel) in between the mpc and the soundcard for greater flexibility. Also, I have a channel strip (currently only being used to vocals) that I could start using for compression/e.q before entering the pc.

Soundcard Vs Mixer?


MORE Sound Shapin' By Hand ..................It's Up 2 U ??

have a look at the mackie onyx mixers. firewire output of 16 digital audio channels.

read: firewire is optional and does not transfer the EQ-settings to the PC.
Soundcraft it is