Multiple Inputs

[dpickett]

I see, I have set my eyes on a Behringer XENYX 1204 Premium Mixer to invest in so that I can do all of this and much more in the future! Using Audacity as my recording software.

[steve]

I see, I have set my eyes on a Behringer XENYX 1204 Premium Mixer to invest in so that I can do all of this and much more in the future! Using Audacity as my recording software.

I've used the big brother of that (the 2442 FX) and it's not bad at all (excellent for the money, though handle it with care - it's probably not as robust as mixers costing 10 times the price). I think that it is usually sold with a USB interface (the little brother of the UCA-202) which works well with Audacity and will give much better recording quality than on-board sound cards. The only limitation is that you can only record 2 independent tracks (one stereo track) at a time, though you can listen to these while you are recording new tracks and so build up a multi-track recording. If recording say Piano and vocals at the same time, you can pan one to the extreme right and the other to the extreme left and then split the stereo recording into 2 mono tracks.

[dpickett]

Thanks! From what I've read Behringer will solve my problems and allow me to use Audacity. For me Audacity is clean, responsive and actually works the way it should and on top of that is no where near as complicated as some programs.

I will get the Behringer ULTRAVOICE XM8500 XLR mic for it as well. I presume my JACK out on my keyboard which is a lineout is fine for putting into the Line in on the Behringer (it's 1/4" size as my guitar, in fact I can hook it up to an AMP)? Then just hit record in Audacity!

[steve]

I will get the Behringer ULTRAVOICE XM8500 XLR mic for it as well

Not great mics for recording. This is a budget microphone for stage use, but how well it works for you depends on what you are wanting to record.

I presume my JACK out on my keyboard which is a lineout is fine for putting into the Line in on the Behringer

It should be, but check if it's stereo or mono. If it is a stereo out you will need a splitter cable to split the stereo onto two mono jacks. If it is a mono signal (even with a "balanced" stereo jack socket) then a normal mono jack lead will be fine.

[dpickett]

Great! I'm recording Vocals but nothing too fancy, my cheap USB mic does fine. I believe the Keyboard JACK is mono as it's also the HeadPhone output and it works with the AMP, including a big bass AMP I used.

[steve]

I believe the Keyboard JACK is mono as it's also the HeadPhone output and it works with the AMP,

Headphone sockets are usually stereo.
It should still work with a mono jack lead, but you will loose any stereo effect on the sound (if the keyboard produces stereo sound, which many do). It will probably not work with a stereo jack lead. A splitter lead (stereo jack to 2 mono jacks) will probably be best.

[dpickett]

Umm.. OK. In that case does that mean I will use two channels on the Mixer? One for each split cable? I will try the mono cable first I think as I could just mic up my Keyboard anyway.

[steve]

In that case does that mean I will use two channels on the Mixer? One for each split cable?

You can use channel 5 or channel 6, they are stereo channels and have two mono 1/4" jack sockets.

I will try the mono cable first I think as I could just mic up my Keyboard anyway.

That should work OK, but as I said, if your Keyboard produces stereo sound, you will only get one channel, so the sound may be a bit "thin".

[dpickett]

Thanks for all your help!! I am leaving buying the Behringer and mic for a few weeks while I am really busy. It's good to know I can still record in Audacity!