Karaoke Forums

Hello everyone. Im just starting out and have a laptop with integrated sound. I've been reading and think Ive figured this out. Tell me if im wrong?? Ive decided to by a Behringer 1204fx mixer which is USB interfaced. Im under the impression that it will act as an external sound card therfore all I need is a mic and some form of recording software...am I corr ect?

OK, I'll venture in a little ways on this one. For all intents and purposes you are correct. It will give you a way in and out of your laptop. I'm going to assume you are talking about the Behringer Xenyx 1204FX, if so keep in mind the mixer itself isn't USB capable, it comes with a separate USB interface, the UCA200 I think. I have one of those interfaces and if I remember right it wasn't the quietest critter in the world, I wasn't real pleased with it. I don't remember why right off hand, but I know I don't use it. Keep in mind it just might not have liked my particular laptop. If you are really serious about getting one I suppose I could dig it out again and give it a work out and report back. Perhaps others have used it and had some luck.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

Yes, thats the mixer im speaking of. I sure would appreciate it. Im still trying to make sure I am getting what I need. It sure would be nice if they noted this on the sales sites. So, I assume that I can use this mixer with or without the USB interface if I had a good external soundcard?

Yes, it is a traditional mixer in the sense that it accepts line inputs and has mic preamps. You would still need a way to get from the mixer to your laptop. I'm not sure how serious you are about your recording and I don't know what your budget is. Their are some good alternatives on USB interfaces out there, some of course better than others. After accumulating lots of less than desirable equipment over the years(IE Junk) I have learned that it is cheaper in the long run to get quality. It doesn't have to be the best, and it more than likely, isn't the cheapest either.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

What would you suggest? I intend on recording vocals only (dont have any instrumental talent...). Need something to connect with my laptop to record vocals in online karaoke sites and doing some vocal recording to my computer using backing tracks. So I dont think i'll overload the USB capabilities. However, I do want the best quality my budget can afford. Im looking to spend under 300 dollars. Your opinion is appreciated.

I would actually look for a Firewire mixer if you plan on doing recording.  USB seems so limited.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Is that 300 total, mixer and interface? Lonman of course is right on the firewire, but I don't know of any low cost firewire boards or interfaces. For what you are describing I think USB will suffice assuming your not in the beginning stages of a recording studio

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

Well hex, it appears that Alesis makes both a USB and a Firewire mixer that falls into your budget, and both seem to come ready to plug into your laptop. Of course make sure your laptop meets the requirements. You will probably need more CPU with firewire. I have no experience with the Alesis mixers so your going to have to do some home work or maybe someone else here has experience with them. But they do indeed meet your criteria and budget. I believe they are the Alesis Multimix line.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

No plans for a studio, just want as good a sound as I can get on a limited budget... wife wont let me spend much more on a hobby and I cant blame her. I plan on getting a quality microphone with the 1204fx. Ive read reviews from Zzounds and they are positive about the board. The Alesis didnt get as good reviews from end users. So as long as you think that this setup will work for what ive outlined I think ill go with it. Now, how would the recording from backtracks work with this setup? I plan on using Audacity or how ever you spell it...

Look at the Phonic Helix 12MkII Firewire with effects mixer.  It's got some good reviews as well.
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i- ... WMKII.html

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

The Phonic Helix 12 MkII FireWire Mixer with Digital Effects looks like a great board but I cant get past the fact that I can get the Behringer and a good mic for the same price as the Phonic alone. For what Im gonna use it for I think Id be cheating myself or spending to much. I can always upgrade later.....right?

Lonnie, I've NEVER had a problem with any recording, audio sampling, shows anything, and I've been total usb based for a few years now...

If you honestly believe this may be a future option, then you are already spending too much to 'start' with since you are going to have to spend more eventually to upgrade.  Almost the same with karaoke companies that start off with the cheapest equipment they can afford only to find out that equipment isn't what they really needed or wanted & should've spent more to begin with to get what was really needed to start with.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

If all you want is a simple 2 track basic recording you can't do much with except drop to disc is what you are looking for, the USB is a great alternative to dropping it to tape.  For some to many looking for this type, USB is fine.  However if you want to eventually MAYBE get into something a little bit more serious, then USB won't cut it.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

If all you want to record is your vocal, you do not really need a mixer: A soundcard is all you need. And mabe a pre amp for you mic.
have a look at some of the cards at your disposal and at your price range.

http://www.dealtime.com/xPP-sound_cards ... nge_60_160

pre amp:

http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Microphone-Preamps--2891

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I completely disagree.

the 2.0 USB interface is nearly twice as fast as the old clunky 1.1. Yes, it's not as fast as the firewire. I'll grant that. But have you played with a usb mixer? Have you taken the Creative Soundblaster MP3+ device and ran shows with it? For three years?

USB is the VHS to the Firewire's Betamax. Not as sophisticated, but far more supported. Lonnie, when you say USB "seems" to be limited, can you back up your audio research with fact? I'm not picking a fight, it's just it seems you're calling the horse race before they hardly leave the gate!

Actually, USB 2.0 is 16 times as fast as 1.1. And it is faster than Firewire -- 480Mbps compared to 400Mbps.

After careful consideration and hours reading reviews and searching the internet I've found this neat little package. It aint nothing fancy but for what i'm doing, it appears it will suit my needs nicely. Seems like I'll get most of what I need in one package. What do ya think?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHPODCASTFW

From what i've read up on USB vs Firewire & talked with some techs at Guitar Center & Sweetwater, USB is limited in the fact that it can't send multiple tracks to the computer, a firewire board will send all the channels from the mixer - which is what I meant in the seems limited statment not talking the speed.  If I were doing recording, I would much rather have the option to have all my tracks sent at once.
I played with USB & Firewire boards in the store so I don't have  major experience with them, but when I have 8 tracks of music that needs to be fed to the computer simultaneously, Firewire is going to handle it, USB won't.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thats the way I understood it also, like Lonman said.I'm still doing some reading on that though. I did find this little page that helps clarify the difference between USB 1.1 Slow Speed, USB 2 full speed, and USB 2 high speed. It also mentions firewire 400 and 800.

http://www.glyphtech.com/site/technology/usb.html

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye