Beginner mixer

Would that be an okay mixer to start off with?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Alesis-MultiMix-8-USB-FX-Regular-106070378-i1545212.gc

i think thats a pretty good price, but i dont know the quality of Alesis stuff, i know they make electronic drumsets too, but i dont know how this mixer would work out. i was thinking maybe a snare mic, bass mic, and then two overheads.

i've heard bad things about the effects built in, but i dont really plan on using those

if there are any alternatives for around the same price.. i dont think i can afford something much higher than the $150 for this, and mics. that Zoom mixer is pretty cool, but thats around $500 i think, and i dont think the built in mics would suffice me until i get the money to get new mics.

should i just hold off until later?

Hold off 'til you have more money. If you can find a nice used Mackie 1402VLZ for $200 that would be a much better investment. You would have to add an effects units, but what you're buying is better circuitry to handle the signals coming in from the drums. A Mackie 1202, 1402, or 1604 is about the minimum I would do - their mic pre-amps are not stunning, but they're built to handle drums at least. In fact, I own a 1604VLZ and love it. If you could find a used Yamaha O1v that's even better, but used the old silver ones will run you about $700.

I'm sure others here will argue that you can do things with a cheap mixer. I argue you should buy something once, not twice.

Bo Eder said:

I argue you should buy something once, not twice.

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definitely a respectable statement, and yeah i do have the budget to go all out ridiculous on a mixer and mics and such, but its my savings from i was like 7, so i'd rather not throw out 9 years of savings in a few days. i'll just get a real job first.. probably this summer and toss my pay checks into the drum fund. i'd still like to continue my research into all this equipment though.

also, getting a USB mixer, would there be issues with latency if i used one of my older computers to record into? or should i be looking into getting a macbook too or something?

MediocrityMaster said:

also, getting a USB mixer, would there be issues with latency if i used one of my older computers to record into? or should i be looking into getting a macbook too or something?

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Latency can sometimes be caused by just the USB audio interface, or the computer, or both. I had a rather nice Tascam US-1641 audio interface and a PowerBook G4, and I did experience latency when just recording stuff into GarageBand. I probably would've been better served by using a more powerful computer with as much RAM as I could afford, but I just decided to jettison the whole recording into the computer idea and went to a stand-alone multi-track. Much quicker for me to get the recording done.

Bo Eder said:

Hold off 'til you have more money. If you can find a nice used Mackie 1402VLZ for $200 that would be a much better investment. You would have to add an effects units, but what you're buying is better circuitry to handle the signals coming in from the drums. A Mackie 1202, 1402, or 1604 is about the minimum I would do - their mic pre-amps are not stunning, but they're built to handle drums at least. In fact, I own a 1604VLZ and love it. If you could find a used Yamaha O1v that's even better, but used the old silver ones will run you about $700.

I'm sure others here will argue that you can do things with a cheap mixer. I argue you should buy something once, not twice.

Click to expand...

Good advice. I have a little Mackie 1202VLZ that is terrific and I got it used off eBay. I wouldn't put too much weight on effects. You can always buy pedals, etc. for those. I'd worry more about the cleanliness of the sound, reliablity, etc.

Bo Eder said:

Latency can sometimes be caused by just the USB audio interface, or the computer, or both. I had a rather nice Tascam US-1641 audio interface and a PowerBook G4, and I did experience latency when just recording stuff into GarageBand. I probably would've been better served by using a more powerful computer with as much RAM as I could afford, but I just decided to jettison the whole recording into the computer idea and went to a stand-alone multi-track. Much quicker for me to get the recording done.

Click to expand...

I'm running my TASCAM US-1641 into an AMD Phenom Quad Core 2.8 Ghz with 8GB DDR3 RAM with Sonar Producer 8.3=zero latency.

Mackie is a good quality mixer for use in sound reinforcement, it doesn't have some of the better specs that I usually require a recording console must have, but for sound reinforcement, it doesn't have to. I use the mixer pictured below for some gigs and its never failed me. Other good quality mixers made for the road are Allen & Heath, Soundcraft and Yamaha. Peavey also has some affordable mixers, but I've never tried their brand, so I can't comment on them. If you're mixing just your kit, I'd look into something that has at least eight microphone channels for future expansion.

BTW, yes, I would hold off a bit on the mixer you pictured. Something better is lurking just around the corner and you'll find it.



Dennis