What can I do with this?

[Brokensticks]

So i'm sitting here with a Alto S-6 6-channel Mixing Console that I got for Christmas and never bothered to figure out how to use. I was thinking I could use it to Mic my kit and record? How would I go about doing this? I know basically nothing about recording or what this channel mixer can do. I am assuming I could hook up 6 mics, but i'd probably just use a snare, bass, and overheads. Any suggestions? And does each mic take up a channel? So if I used 4 channels my buddy's guitar could take up one and we could record ourselves?

Any help appreciated.

[Sunshine]

6 channel? Christmas? And you hanv't USED it?

As a former DJ, this knowledge gives me the incredible urge to punch you in the forehead.

[Brokensticks]

I am sorry :( can you tell me what I could do?

[We_Love_Lime]

I would just buy like

An Sm57 for the snare.
a whatever for the bass.
and two overheads ( Somebody will post the propor mikes, or look at senseless's home studio thread in the main section ).
And than record, and than plug it into the computer using firewire, because apparantly firewire > usb.

Yeah, Don't listen to me.
Just typing **** to up my postcount ya know.

[Brokensticks]

Ya I got a bit of advice from Chippy on mics he said Sm57 for snare an AKG D-112 for kick and Rode NT-5's for overheads. Only problem is my computer isnt near my drums.

[We_Love_Lime]

No no no.

You plug the mics into a mixer, and than the mixer ( which records the music ) plugs into the computer (I assume you can move the mixer back and forth ).

I guess that's how it works.
I don't know how you would plug 4 some mics into your computer.

[Brokensticks]

No i know but my drums are downstairs and the computer is upstairs. Wouldn't it have to be attached to my computer while we were playing?? I doubt the mixer stores what it heard earlier then you plug it into a computer and it spits it out. It might?? Doesn't sound right to me. But i don't know

[Panopticon]

Yeah you'll need a computer with you with some recording software. If you don't have that, it's pretty much pointless.

[We_Love_Lime]

Oh.
I thought the mixer saves whatever you have on there, and than you upload it to the computer later...
Hah.
I should just not help anybody anymore.

[Brokensticks]

Well yah, I could definatly move the computer downstairs if I had to.

[puppet.master]

recording softwares easy as **** to get another option is to get a tape deck record to that and then tape deck to your comp

[Brokensticks]

that doesn't use my mixer though...

[abandonthetruth]

Yes it does .. Mics>>Mixer>(RCA/Tape outs)>Tapedeck .. Tapedeck>(Via Firewire or USB)>Comp

[Sunshine]

Sooo...your mixer doesn't have like a data-stick port or anything?

Some do. So you can mix on the mixer itself, save, and transfer to another location.

[billy_spleen]

What do you think of the console? I'm considering getting something like it....

[Chester]

Well you plug the mics into the mixer, then depending on the outputs of the mixer, you have to send that somewhere like a computer, then get recording software to manage all the incoming stuff. I dont really know too much about mixers because i just got a firebox, which is a little different. So basically yes, you would need a computer near your drumset/mixer it sounds like.

tell me what you think of that alto mixer after you use it, because i know thats a pretty cheap one and i might be looking into a cheap mixer in the future.

[pitchfork]

Dude having the pc a long way away is a good thing (you don't get the pc background noise), get a really long cable to plug the mixer into the computer.

Use SM57 on snare
Shure Beta 52 or AKG D112 on the kick
Shure PG81's as overheads
Klotz mic cable with neutrik connnectors

Cubase as a recording program.
What i would do anyway

[abandonthetruth]

^^THe mics work, but get a decent recording program atleast, Adobe Audition (aka Cool Edit Pro) if your jsut starting, or if you really want to get into it, Pro Tools, and an Mbox, that will get a bit pricey though, .. dont go wiht any of the cheap programs you can find online. Download the good ones illegally.

[ofDooM]

my dad has about 10 mixers. he records stuff and doesnt need a pc around him.

it only needs to be recorded but, can be copied into the pc later. i dont know much though.

[abandonthetruth]

this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-8Track-Digital-Portastudio-788-?sku=240706

is ultimately what you need ot have no computer.

[maniac0796]

Firewire is slower than USB 2.0 in Mhz, but firewire organises the data better, so it's easier to decode, and therefore faster overall and cleaner.

[othankheavenfor311]

^^^true

post pics of the mixer