Mixer types

Hey everyone, today I just picked up 2 1/4 to RCA cables and a USB cable for my future laptop. I was just wondering what types of mixers should I be looking for if my basic setup is my MPC 1000, my laptop, with an old turntable? Thanks, guys.

Go for a 32 channel 8 buss mixer. Nah, but get whatever it is YOU feel will meet your needs. Do you wanna go expandable now and not have to deal with it later, or do you wanna go small and keep replacing or upgrading it as you go along?

I know I probably didn't answer your question but that's something you'll have to make a decision on eventually.

I'm sorry, I'm still new to this producing thing, but does anyone know the difference between unpowered and powered mixers and which is more suited for a home studio?

A powered mixer has an amplifier built into it so you can connect your speaker directly to it. With a regular mixer you will also need to buy an amplifier to connect your speakers to.

Powered mixers are mostly used for bands, gigs, karaoke, bars, clubs etc for the all-in-one portability aspect. I'd recommend you get a regular mixer and amp combo or a regular mixer and active (built-in amplifier) monitors combo for studio work.

But if a powered mixer is going free or dirt cheap, take it and use it in the meanwhile...

Look for a minimum of 8 channels on any mixer, 16 channels being a good start that should suit most home studios.

Remember that you'll need 2 channels (L+R) for each stereo device you connect to your mixer and 1 chanel for each mono device!

You beat me to it Clint. But the difference between powered and a non-powered mixer is the addition of a built in power amp. Usually a powered mixer is suited mostly for live applications like Clint stated. Though you could use one for the studio, I'd recommend not going that route.

Sometimes these types of mixers will induce unwanted noise into your recording chain.

Okay I think I understand, at first I was gonna pick up something like this...

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer-X ... 1153499.gc

Is this one an unpowered mixer which won't work well?


Also I almost forgot, can DJ mixers work as well as powered mixers or are they completely different?

Mr. Flam wrote:Okay I think I understand, at first I was gonna pick up something like this...

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer-X ... 1153499.gc

Is this one an unpowered mixer which won't work well?


Also I almost forgot, can DJ mixers work as well as powered mixers or are they completely different?

i use this mixer with a 1000 and a fantom with my computer. for very basic needs its perfect.

What do you mean basic needs? Can you still hear the sound good enough from a computer speaker?

Mr. Flam wrote:What do you mean basic needs? Can you still hear the sound good enough from a computer speaker?

Computer speakers?

Let me ask you, how much do you know about pro audio, studio basics and what type of gear that's used?

Well like I said I'm still new at this. I watch lots of videos of producers using keyboards, huge speakers, and lots of equipment. I'm trying to keep my studio small and simple, with an MPC 1000, laptop, mixer, turntables, along with lots of vinyl. Hope that answers your question, if not, I apologize.

Mr. Flam wrote:Well like I said I'm still new at this. I watch lots of videos of producers using keyboards, huge speakers, and lots of equipment. I'm trying to keep my studio small and simple, with an MPC 1000, laptop, mixer, turntables, along with lots of vinyl. Hope that answers your question, if not, I apologize.

Nah, I'm not offended, I was just hinting to you to check out some monitors meant for doing just that...monitoring. Computers speakers can be good to A/B your mixes, but would be a bad choice for main studio monitoring.

Youtube got things all f*cked up man. Read books and learn for real. damn.....

Mr. Flam wrote:What do you mean basic needs? Can you still hear the sound good enough from a computer speaker?

computer speakers work fine. try to get a pair that has a sub woofer tho.

tweakheadz.com

But going back to my mixer question, are 8 channels the mininum requirement for a mixer? And if it is, what is a considered a regular price for an 8-channel powered mixer?