Should I buy a studio mixer?

[serox]

At the moment I have one set of monitors connected to my poweramp that is connected to my decks/DJ mixer. I also have my computer line out coming thru my DJ mixer at the moment on the 3rd channel. Problem is my monitors are setup for DJ use and not making music. They are behind me to the right at different heights and pointing different directions, no ideal.

Plan now is to get some more monitors for production and set them up as best I can.

My sound card is a M-audio 1010. Only other hardware I have is a Alessis controller at the moment.

Whats the best way to get everything set up? I am guessing I should buy some active monitors (adam 7s?) and then a studio mixer?

[drokkr]

Do you think you'd have actual use for one?

The money could be spent on a better set up. New desk or speaker stands etc...

[serox]

Do you think you'd have actual use for one?

The money could be spent on a better set up. New desk or speaker stands etc...

Well, I dont think its a good idea to run my computer thru a DJ mixer?

Once I have another set of monitors I thought it would be best to get it all running thru a desk mixer. It does not need to be anything big or fancy!

[Radiant]

Do you think you'd have actual use for one?

The money could be spent on a better set up. New desk or speaker stands etc...

Well, I dont think its a good idea to run my computer thru a DJ mixer?

Once I have another set of monitors I thought it would be best to get it all running thru a desk mixer. It does not need to be anything big or fancy!

Or you could buy a strong audio interface instead, with good AD/DA converters, take the whole mixer out of the equation unless you really feel the need for one.

[serox]

Do you think you'd have actual use for one?

The money could be spent on a better set up. New desk or speaker stands etc...

Well, I dont think its a good idea to run my computer thru a DJ mixer?

Once I have another set of monitors I thought it would be best to get it all running thru a desk mixer. It does not need to be anything big or fancy!

Or you could buy a strong audio interface instead, with good AD/DA converters, take the whole mixer out of the equation unless you really feel the need for one.

any suggestions?

[Radiant]

Do you think you'd have actual use for one?

The money could be spent on a better set up. New desk or speaker stands etc...

Well, I dont think its a good idea to run my computer thru a DJ mixer?

Once I have another set of monitors I thought it would be best to get it all running thru a desk mixer. It does not need to be anything big or fancy!

Or you could buy a strong audio interface instead, with good AD/DA converters, take the whole mixer out of the equation unless you really feel the need for one.

any suggestions?

What's your budget, and do you use Mac or PC?

[serox]

PC.

Well I was looking at mixers for under £150.

[drokkr]

Do you think you'd have actual use for one?

The money could be spent on a better set up. New desk or speaker stands etc...

Well, I dont think its a good idea to run my computer thru a DJ mixer?

Once I have another set of monitors I thought it would be best to get it all running thru a desk mixer. It does not need to be anything big or fancy!

Ah I misread you post...

A small desk mixer would be spot on then.

My mate has an Edirol MD 16 - small enough and I think it was relatively cheap too. He has it mapped to his FL

[AJGR]

i wouldn't buy a mixer for under £150, unless your playing live with laptop and some hardware. i don't really understand why you need a mixer? if you want to use 2 sets of monitors get a monitor switch.

[FSTZ]

those mackie onyx mixers are great, the Zed series from A&H is also good and inexpensive.

[iamjoncannon]

Or you could buy a strong audio interface instead, with good AD/DA converters, take the whole mixer out of the equation unless you really feel the need for one.

yeah I don't know firsthand but have been told that unless you go all out and buy a $3000 converter the extra AD/DA layer will make the mix sound worse.

[serox]

i wouldn't buy a mixer for under £150, unless your playing live with laptop and some hardware. i don't really understand why you need a mixer? if you want to use 2 sets of monitors get a monitor switch.

Because I would ideally like one desk that can control the volume. I want to be able to play audio from my decks into the computer and out of course.

[FSTZ]

if you only have decks and your interface has many inputs (delta 10/10) just route your decks into the 1+2 inputs and get some kinda volume control system.

it'd be a lot cheaper than buying a mixer that takes up space on your desk.

[serox]

if you only have decks and your interface has many inputs (delta 10/10) just route your decks into the 1+2 inputs and get some kinda volume control system.

it'd be a lot cheaper than buying a mixer that takes up space on your desk.

cool. any suggestions on one to use?

[FSTZ]

I have the TC level pilot

it cost me $75

but there are a few different models out there now and if you are getting another set of monitors, you might wanna look at the mackie big knob or the jbl msc1 with the built in RTA microphone

there are different options for different budgets, but I really dig the level pilot

[lyons238]

focusrite saffire 6 for sure man. its a really solid audio interface for the money. got mine for $179.99 on ebay, brand new.

[FSTZ]

[Radiant]

Or you could buy a strong audio interface instead, with good AD/DA converters, take the whole mixer out of the equation unless you really feel the need for one.

yeah I don't know firsthand but have been told that unless you go all out and buy a $3000 converter the extra AD/DA layer will make the mix sound worse.

But you still need a good base set of converters, all the sounds generated from your computers have to be converted out to Analog, in order for your monitors to be able to play back the signal.

And for under 150 pounds, I'd recommend the NI Audio Kontrol 1 if you can still find it stocked somewhere, secondhand would be a good option too, it's very robust and durable (only the cable jacks aren't fit into the case, and if someone switches cables loads it might mess with the connectors, very unlikely though.) There's also a thread on sound cards here somewhere, might be helpful to you : http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=67061

Edit : If you're just looking for volume control though, there's a lot of midi solutions, and for ex. the TC level pilot is also a viable option, do take note though that the cables coming from the TC Pilot are pretty short, so you might have to buy more cables to extend the signal.

If you're still interested in trying a new soundcard, the NI Audio Kontrol also has volume knobs on the front : http://www.audiotek.cz/produktyATK/ni/n ... ol1_a3.jpg

[nowaysj]

If you're not working with a bunch of hardware in your studio, I don't think you need a hard mixer.

The emu 1616m has the best converters that you will find anywhere near its price. It is rock solid, low latency, multiclient drivers, has its own dsp, but I don't use it. It's also on the pci (express now I guess) buss, so you don't have to worry about usb or firewire bullshits.

Due to your freaking exacting standards, you really should be in a treated room in a properly set up monitoring position. I don't think everyone needs to do that, but you REALLY need to do that.

[nowaysj]

Also, have been told that those A7's are bass light, confirm/deny? need a sub with them? Remember you are addressing this to someone that is sub-OBSESSED .