Recording direct from mixing desk?

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ianc21
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Recording direct from mixing desk?

Post by ianc21 » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:55 pm

Whats the easiest (and cheapest!) way to record to Audacity on a laptop direct from a basic, 12 channel mixing desk? I presume it can be done? Doesnt matter if it isnt multi-track, as long as i can get a good mix on the desk before recording.

I've been trying to figure it out but its been confusing me somewhat. I think it may involve the direct outs of the desk possibly...

Any help / guidance would be muchly appreciated!

Thanks!

steve
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Re: Recording direct from mixing desk?

Post by steve » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:37 pm

Get a Behringer UCA-202
It's a stereo USB audio interface - the input is fixed at line level, and it's just "2 in / 2 out" with no other features (apart from a little LED that lights up when it's plugged in).
There are other USB audio interfaces, but this one is about the cheapest, and I find it works very well.
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ianc21
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Re: Recording direct from mixing desk?

Post by ianc21 » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:42 am

Excellent, thanks for that. I've had a bit of a look into it and it sounds like just the kind of thing im after.

Just out of interest, where does it connect to on the mixing desk?

steve
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Re: Recording direct from mixing desk?

Post by steve » Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:54 pm

Main (stereo mix) out from the mixing desk to the UCA-202 inputs (you will probably need a pair of 1/4" jack to RCA plug leads, or XLR to RCA, depending on the mixing desk), then the UCA-202 plugs into a USB port on your computer. Note that this completely bypasses your other audio card.

The RCA outputs on the UCA-202 plug into your amplifier / powered speakers.

If you want to use headphones, you will need to configure your sound system to use your existing sound card for playback, or get a USB audio interface that has a headphone socket as the UCA-202 does not have any other controls or connections other than Line-in and Line-out (plus the USB lead).
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waxcylinder
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Re: Recording direct from mixing desk?

Post by waxcylinder » Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:00 pm

stevethefiddle wrote: If you want to use headphones, you will need to configure your sound system to use your existing sound card for playback, or get a USB audio interface that has a headphone socket as the UCA-202 does not have any other controls or connections other than Line-in and Line-out (plus the USB lead).
The Edirol UA-1EX has headphone output.

WC
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