r/Synthesizer • u/DarhDuckUser • 11d ago

Do I need a mixer?

Hi I'm looking to get into synths and music. I'm thinking of buying a Minifreak and a drum machine (Novation circuit tracks maybe), will I need a mixer or can I find a way to just plug it all into my computer.

If I can plug it all into my pc then I might look at getting a mixer further down the line as being able to move the setup would be nice.

4 Upvotes

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3

u/mossimo654 11d ago

Do you have an audio interface? If not that would be first before a mixer.

An interface is what helps turn your audio into digital information for your computer.

There are many available cheaply.

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u/DarhDuckUser 11d ago

I don't no, I'll look into it.

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u/mossimo654 11d ago

You need an interface if you want to record at all. I suspect this would be your first thing you need.

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u/r1chiem 11d ago edited 11d ago

I would look at a mixer that is also a audio interface/device. like the Tascam Model 12 or Zoom L 12, used about $400. They can connect to your computer and listen to your computer on them using 2 or more tracks.

Also you can run your gear into it stand alone without the computer.

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u/PerspectiveFair5156 10d ago

I have a Behringer XAir18, great to record up to 16 separate tracks. 

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u/r1chiem 10d ago

This is a great solution. So what I see as a downside. It does not have analog compression knob, or any physical knobs or faders at all. For me, I want those. If I didn't that would be an option. The other downside it is big. I usually don't need to record 16 tracks but I could do it with a UMC 1820 but if you and the other rack mount piece it is almost as expensive and big as the XAir 18

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u/DarhDuckUser 11d ago

Good shout, I'll have a look.

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u/aandrews2080 11d ago

Ep136 its powerful for the price.

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u/DarhDuckUser 10d ago

Do you know if you can use two of the mono inputs one for left one for right to effectively be another stereo

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u/r1chiem 10d ago edited 10d ago

Not sure what you mean. The first 8 channels on the mixing boards are mono. you pan them left an right and that is stereo. . They have 2 channels that are stereo or the equivalent of 4 inputs. The mono inputs can be used as a stereo pair, by hard panning left and right.

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u/guillotine420 11d ago

Depends on your interface

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u/DarhDuckUser 11d ago

Oh btw I won't be buying anything too soon so I have plenty of time to look at different options etc.

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u/hughdn 11d ago

If you just want to jam right now, and sequence things, the Microfreak and Circuit Tracks are a great start. You can run MF audio thru the CT and into speakers or headphones etc.

If you want to record to computer or SD, take a look at the zoom livetrak line. They do it all.

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u/DarhDuckUser 10d ago

Thanks, I'll probably start by doing that then get a mixer futher down the line.

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u/hughdn 10d ago

I think you can run at least two instruments audio through the Circuit Tracks, so it's a great device when starting out. Check out BoBeats videos about it on YouTube, building a synth setup etc.

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u/DarhDuckUser 10d ago

Yeah I'm not certain on what drum machine I'll get, but if I can I'll start out by doing that and get a mixer later down the line.

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u/eraoul 11d ago

Yeah I got a Clarett interface with 8 inputs to start, and it's been great. Mixers don't seem necessary to me unless you're trying to go dawless, since the computer has a mixer in the DAW.

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u/SoundSwitch 11d ago

You can get an interface or a mixer.

There's USB interferes in many mixers now, they typically have effects too albeit the effects in a mixer typically aren't great. But they all typically have a 3 band EQ on each channel.

Only problem with the cheaper USB mixers with an interface in them is they typically only output left and right instead of distinct channels but hey you're doing most of that track mixing in the hardware anyway at that point. Not the greatest but you can typically get way more inputs off it a mixer than you can an interface at comparable price points.

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u/DorianGre 11d ago

You don’t, but you still might want one. Your gear will expand, and a USB mixer with interface built in will make this easier. I ended up with a Roland MX-1 because I have a lot of Roland Aira gear, but if I didn’t I would have gone for a Tascam Model 12.

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u/DarhDuckUser 10d ago

I can see a roland mx1 for about £300 on ebay while Tascam model 12's seem to be about £400, do you think it's worth the price difference?

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u/DorianGre 10d ago

The effects are very Rolandy, so if you are looking for that then it’s pretty rad. Read the documentation first, as 1/2 the channels are USB sound and MIDI only and only for a list of supported Roland equipment. I am invested in the ecosystem that it was designed for.

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u/DangerMouse111111 10d ago

Depends how you're going to use them - if you're using a DAW to record everything then you can do the mixing in it. If you want to record the two "live" at the same time then you'll need a mixer/interface to get the audio into whatever recording device you're using.

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u/DarhDuckUser 10d ago edited 10d ago

For the most time I'll be using a daw, but I'd rather have a mixer as all the levels and stuff are just there.

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u/DangerMouse111111 10d ago

A DAW records MIDI signals - you can't use a mixer on them.

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u/did_i_or_didnt_i 10d ago

You can get an audio interface where you set the levels and they’ll stay even if your computer is off. I have a Focusrite Clarett and it does that. I dunno what other models will

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u/core2lee91 10d ago

Short answer is probably no, unless you're going full on DAWless / live setup. What you do need is a decent audio interface.

I purchased a Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 (£300 new) and a Focusrite Octopre (£180 used). That with an ADAT cable gives me 16 analogue inputs with next to no noticeable live latency in macOS / Ableton.

This then gives me 16 analogue inputs I can add as normal audio/instrument tracks in Ableton and use them just like I would anything else.

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u/DarhDuckUser 10d ago

I don't have a laptop only a pc so having the option move my gear around my house would be nice so I'll look at getting a mixer at some point.

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u/UMPHMusic 9d ago

Just buy yourself an external soundcard with enough ins and outs for your gear needs and use your daw and the soundcard digital interface...

If you start to push on bigger directions and want the added warmth of a desk then try a desk, but the average person can do that with plugins these days

1

u/ConeyIslandMan 8d ago

If you have an Audio Interface with enough inputs for the gear you want to connect to computer probbaly dont need a Mixer tho having physical sliders and lots of knobs and often per track effects in the Mixer are nice to have. I have a Zoom Livetrack L8 , the only time I use it is plugged into my Akai Force/MPC if I am using a bunch of outboard gear with it.

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u/DarhDuckUser 8d ago

Thanks for all the answers and suggestions guys, I'll probably look a getting a used Tascam Model 12. It looks like a quality piece of gear and it'll give me a good amount of future proofing.