Hey Guys I have a couple of questions / issues with my studio set up
Here is my set up..
1- Guitar 1
2- Guitar 2
3- Keyboard
4- Electronic Drums
5- Mic 1
6- Mic 2
7- Bass
all Plugged into an Edirol FA-101 then Firewire to Sonar 3.0 Producer and out to Peavy PA-120 Mixer / Amp Head which is plugged into 2 JBL TR125's
This set up works great when I am recording each instrument seperately. But when I have guys over to jam I have no way of upping the volume of thier instruments.
1. So should I buy a mixer and plug all instruments in to that first so I have some control over volume levels? Would it have to be powered? Or is there a better / easier way?
2. What are your thoughts on powered monitors compared to the set up I have right now? I have been looking at the Mackie HR624's.
I would go with a Mixer then run that into the computer. If possible - I would keep the jam and recording systems separate as you spend more time changing setups than playing most of the time anyway...
Also, powered monitors are the way to go. I would pick BlueSky over the Mackie's. They are much better reference monitors than the Mackie's.
1. I think a mixer is the way to go. If you use a mixer wih direct outs/channel sends, you can jam and record at the same time. The signal from the mixer preamps goes to the Edirol and the main outs from the mixer go to your Peavey. You use the Edirol/Sonar for recording and the Peavey for jamming, simultaneously or not as you like, with completely independent control of both. The mixer DOES NOT need to be powered.
2. As GGB said, powered monitors, definitely. Drive them from the Edirol outputs and use them for recording only. The brand choice is yours, everyone has their favorites. I like Events.
At any rate, the mixer doesn't have to be anything too fancy, but go for quality. Setting it up properly, you won't even need to do any patch cord swapping. I'd look in the direction of Mackie, Soundcraft or even Behringer. An 8X2X1 or 8X2 configuration would be fine.
That would be my suggestion for the best setup for the least money.
1. I definatley want to record while jamming so it sounds like a good mixer (mackie 1202vlzPro)
should do the job of bieng able to keep my same set up all the time.
2. I want to purchase some good powered monitors but it sounds like i cant listen to them live which would make them a big waste of money. The reason I had been thinking of going this route is my old Peavy PA-120 mixer/amp makes a lot of noise. If I want to replace that and the powered monitors are not an option should I upgrade to a new mixer / amp like a Mackie 808M? and forget about the other mixer?
It sounds like you are at a crossroads that all of us have been at at one time or another... You need monitors if you are going to mix your music, and you need a board to record with.
Why not get a board and monitors to mix with and use the Peavy just for your jamming? If your wanting to record your jams - setup a couple of microphones and record them... if you get something you like, use the board and monitors to track it and mix it so that you will have a quality product for you and your bandmates.
Just don't try to combine all of your gear as you will truly be wasting time and money. Take the time to build what you are going to need and want.
Like I said, you can use the board for both jamming and recording. The 1202 will limit you a bit (you'll only have something like 4 or 6 direct outputs to patch straight into the Edirol), but it will work within those limits.
Drive the powered monitors from the outputs of the Edirol (recording); drive the Peavey from the main outs of the board (jamming); drive the Edirol inputs from the direct outs/pre fade sends. You won't have to rewire when you swap between setups. That way, you have maximum versatility with NO COMPROMIZE in quality, unless you consider the board preamps to be a compromize.
If that is the case, you bought a low quality board, and really did waste your money.
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