Daisy Chain Mixers

krissovo · #1 December 5th, 2007

Just a quick question can I daisy chain mixers, i.e. can I take the sterio output of mixer "A" and place it into the a Sterio input on Mixer "B"?

This is why, I have two 8 Channel mixers but I need at least 10 channels to try and record the band. My plan is to have the drums mic'ed to one mixer and use that output into the other mixer that the rest of the band would be using.

X4StringDrive · #2 December 5th, 2007

Yes Kriss, as many as you like, with that limited to as many inputs available on the master unit that will send the signals all out as one.

krissovo · #3 December 5th, 2007

Thanks for that

Andy S · #4 December 5th, 2007

Quote:

as many as you like, with that limited to as many inputs available on the master unit that will send the signals all out as one.

Yes, up to the point where the electronic noise will start to be noticeable. Probably depends on the kind (brand) of mixer and how quiet the preamps are on those.

This setup is seen quite a bit with keyboardist. If a keyboardist has two or three instruments, we've run that set up into a small mixer that he/she keep next to them. This allows that person to make any necessary adjustments they think they need. Then the output from that mixer only takes up one channel at the main console.

In a crowded situation, this can also be done with the drum kit. If you want to mic several sections of the kit, say, one or two overhead mics, kick drum, snare and one over the toms, they can go to smaller mixer and then take that line to the main board.

The only problem is you better be real confident of the mix you have on that sub-mixer, cause once you start playing, it's hard to get the drummer or keyboardist to make a change in volume or EQ on that board.

So, yeh, you can piggy back or daisy chain your mixers. Again , the only issue may be noise from the one getting amplified in the other. If they are of the same manufacturer and the same model, check your manual on how they might prescribe hooking it up. Sometimes they recommend using an AUX input rather than one of the input channels.

krissovo · #5 December 5th, 2007

Thanks Andy

The mixers are both budget Alesis Mutimix 8's, one is USB and the other is the firewire version, I think apart from sound cards being different they are identicle. We would not use this to gig as we also have a 16 channel powered mixer for that. This is for recording multi channel so we can make a Demo cd to send out the pubs. We are not doing so well with a Micro BR as the placement for good sound is nearly impossible

X4StringDrive · #6 December 5th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy S

The only problem is you better be real confident of the mix you have on that sub-mixer, cause once you start playing, it's hard to get the drummer or keyboardist to make a change in volume or EQ on that board.

Good point Andy S, works the other way also...our drummer{when I used to jam with my neighbors} always had to have his fingers on the output volume of his, after the rest of us finally got it sounding good{to us anyways}through the master and that would throw it all off again...But it sure was fun!

OldG · #7 December 5th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by krissovo

Thanks Andy

The mixers are both budget Alesis Mutimix 8's, one is USB and the other is the firewire version, I think apart from sound cards being different they are identicle. We would not use this to gig as we also have a 16 channel powered mixer for that. This is for recording multi channel so we can make a Demo cd to send out the pubs. We are not doing so well with a Micro BR as the placement for good sound is nearly impossible

Chris,
Can the Micro BR not be plugged straight into your gigging mixer (rec out of the desk to line in on the BR)?

My Zoom H2 works a treat like this....

krissovo · #8 December 5th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldG

Chris,
Can the Micro BR not be plugged straight into your gigging mixer (rec out of the desk to line in on the BR)?

My Zoom H2 works a treat like this....

Sorry, I didnt explain my self very well as for rehearsals the drums are not mic'ed up and we use the BR with a stereo microphone plugged in. Once we mic the drums up I sure will try this.

How do you find the H4? I am thinking of buying a BR or a H4 but not sure which. I am fairly happy with the BR we are borrowing but I would prefer something with built in microphones

OldG · #9 December 6th, 2007

The H2 was a much better deal imo, and seems to be the successor to the H4 anyways . The H2 has better (and more mics) but no onboard effects like the H4.

As for recording - great! I'll post some clips later.

krissovo · #10 December 6th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldG

The H2 was a much better deal imo, and seems to be the successor to the H4 anyways . The H2 has better (and more mics) but no onboard effects like the H4.

As for recording - great! I'll post some clips later.

Thanks, a few sources now have said the the recording on the Zoom is great. H2 looks interesting but without effects could cause a problem with me when I take my guitar on business trips.

wjp01908 · #11 December 6th, 2007

Hi Kriss

Might seem like a daft question, but is there any particular reason to record the whole band at once? I find that dealing with so many tracks is much easier if you can do them one at a time.

Will

krissovo · #12 December 6th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjp01908

Hi Kriss

Might seem like a daft question, but is there any particular reason to record the whole band at once? I find that dealing with so many tracks is much easier if you can do them one at a time.

Will

Thats a good question and a lot of reasoning is that we all love and prefer a live sound. Even my setup at home is designed for one take playing / recording. I control everything with a midi controller to start my drums and keys (keys also play bass line). Secondly the time we have is limited, I think when we do some recording studio time them we will separate.