recording drums

[DVDdoug]

but I am apprehensive because audacity may not have the ability for separate tracks with what I have. does this sound right?

Most USB mixers send the stereo-mix to the USB bus so you probably can't record the 3 mics on 3 different channels. There are some higher-end units that also work as a multi-channel interface.

And, Audacity seems to "have trouble" with multi-track recording, at least with Windows... It might work better with a Mac, but I don't know.

do I HAVE to have an audio interface??

I'd say your mixer "doubles as a (probably stereo) audio interface."

[dkwrnr]

I guess I should now clarify my questions. I have obtained a Pyle PMXU83BT usb mixer, and enough mics for a basic three mic setup.
I am concerned that Audacity will only see two tracks coming in, left and right.
i want to be able to work on my three mic tracks separately in audacity.( i do have the capability to add more mics)
so, basic questions here, how do I enable the signal(s) from my mixer on the main screen, to see what it reads as the recording signal 'in'. (i am connected from the mixer to PC via usb cable)
next, IF it only shows two tracks (left & right), how do I get to being able to have three separate (or more) tracks showing to work on? will I need a multiple input interface installed after the mixer to do this?
Im pretty much stuck at this point, moving forward, as I first need to see my mix feed on the screen....

anyone's help with this would be greatly appreciated.



regards, DW

[dkwrnr]

ok, I think I get the mixer as a 'stereo interface'.....
how do I select my mixers signal to show on the audacity screen?

thanks,

[DVDdoug]

I am concerned that Audacity will only see two tracks coming in, left and right.
i want to be able to work on my three mic tracks separately in audacity.( i do have the capability to add more mics)

...ok, I think I get the mixer as a 'stereo interface'.....

Right. I found the user manual for your mixer online and it doesn't say but multi-track capability is unusual from these "little mixers".

next, IF it only shows two tracks (left & right), how do I get to being able to have three separate (or more) tracks showing to work on? will I need a multiple input interface installed after the mixer to do this?

You'd need to replace the mixer with a multi-channel interface. And you'd probably need to upgrade to a DAW Application. Audacity can sometimes multi-track but lots of people have trouble with it.

how do I select my mixers signal to show on the audacity screen?

Select the USB device as your Recording Device.

...Apparently, your mixer can record directly to a USB thumb drive. (Then you can copy the files to your computer for editing.) There CAN be advantages to that because lots of things "go wrong" with computers. If I was recording a live performance I'd prefer to record with a "stand alone" recorder. Home studio recording usually isn't so critical... There is usually time to find & fix problems and start-over.

[steve]

...ok, I think I get the mixer as a 'stereo interface'.....

Right. I found the user manual for your mixer online and it doesn't say but multi-track capability is unusual from these "little mixers".

If the USB interface supports multi-channel recording, the manufacturer will invariably state that in big bold letters, because it is a major selling point.
If the manual doesn't explicitly say that multi-channel recording is supported, then it is a very safe bet that the USB output is stereo only.

[dkwrnr]

thanks for being patient with me.
good news is, I'm able to see the recording now, and listen to playback.
bad news, I do only see a two track stereo mix in audacity. Not what I hoped for.
disappointing that Audacity might have a problem with multiple tracks, and, I may now have to get an interface....
I will probably keep the mixer, if for nothing else, the usb recording feature. Now the challenge to find an

affordable

interface for 4 mics (or more) if there is such a thing

any suggestions? recommendations?


thanks again guys....

[DVDdoug]

interface for 4 mics (or more) if there is such a thing

Sure... Check out the selection at Musician's Friend.com

[kozikowski]

Please note the instant the interface goes above two channels and into official multi-track, the price point goes into multiple hundreds. This is a similar problem to those eager to produce a multi-microphone podcast.

I can produce a mono or stereo mixdown from up to six microphones with parts I have in the credenza and under the bed. But I can't produce six channels of independent performance files. That's much more of a challenge.

We are warned about computer problems. Count the number of forum people having trouble recording simple voice tracks with clicking, ticking, and popping in the background. There is no clean, simple fix for that, either fixing the computer so it doesn't do it, or fixing the performance in post production so you can't hear it.

Just think of the fun you'll have recording and cleaning up three tracks.

If you're going to blow the bux on a multi-channel system, find one that records.

Koz

[dkwrnr]

you know, I'm going to heed your cautions, and for now use what I have.
I have to be more realistic starting out here, and see what I can actually create, before jumping into what I'd LIKE to create.... (eyes bigger than the stomach)...
I'm going mess with mic placement and settings before I make any more additions to the gear.

thanks for the help guys, I probably will have more questions about audacity functions as I get into this....






DW

[Ben_Johnson]

Recording drums is one of the hardest things I think.