How to Hookup an Analog Mixer

Cucco3 · August 15, 2008

The full article can be read at

http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_hookup_a_mixer.htm

http://www.tweakheadz.com/images/mixer-submix.jpg

We get this question too, too much! So here it is, an answer in full. So many newbs think you need to connect the main outs to a soundcard and can monitor off the control room outs too. Is that you? Hah! Enjoying that high pitched whine everytime you want to record? That's called FEEDBACK. You are getting it because you hooked up the mixer improperly. Here's some better ways. First with a cheap mixer (which I don't recommend) and second, with a mixer with an alt 3-4 bus or direct outs (required if you are serious!)

One Way Communication Mixer to Soundcard

Here's all you do--connect the main outs of the Mixer to the soundcard line input(s). You then connect your speakers to the line outs of the audio interface or soundcard. That's all you do.

Two Way Communication Mixer to Soundcard AND Soundcard to Mixer

This is for people that want to connect their monitors to the mixer, as it is done in advanced studios.

Note the following:

1. You need a mixer with an alt 3-4 output (sometimes called a subgroup) or direct outs on at least 2 mic channels. You can sometimes use inserts to function as direect outs by inserting the plug in "halfway" (to the first click). Not all mixers have these. The cheapest mixer does not. Don't go ultra cheap if you want this feature.

2. The subgroup (alt 3-4) connects to the soundcard line in . The soundcard line out connects to any two available line inputs.

3. The active monitors (or cables to an amplifier) go the the CONTROL ROOM OUTS.

Here's nmodi's famous pic (my eternal thanks for his graphic wizardry)

http://www.tweakheadz.com/images/nmodisetup.jpg

NOTE: Though it defies newbie common sense wisdom, you do not have the main outs connect to anything. The Control Room outputs act as the main outs and acts as a volume control for the whole system.

Workaround with a mixer without an alt bus, direct outs or inserts

If you already bought a cheap mixer without alt/subgroups out here is the workaround.

Connect two of the send outs (hopefully you have 2) directly to the soundcard. Bring the soundcard output back to any 2 available line in channels. Yes you may need adapters to take the 1/8th inch stereo out of the soundcard to two seperate line in jacks. You need an stereo mini jack to dual mono cable.

On your mic channel, when you want to record, turn up the send on that channel so the signal goes to the soundcard.

In some situations you may have to turn off "software monitoring" in your sequencer software while you record.

NOTE: If you still have feedback you might use the TAPE inputs on the mixer. This works sometimes but often will not allow you to monitor your hardware synths playing back MIDI. Its hard to give an absolute answer as every mixer is slightly different. Experiment before you ask a question about this, OK? Try the Tape, try the line ins, try the aux returns, try turning software monitoring off. One of these 6 possiblites usually works.

Recommended mixers with alt 3-4 outs

Behringer UB1204--best bang for the buck--shown in pic above

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--BEHUB1204P

http://media.zzounds.com/media/feed/small/BEHUB1204P.jpg

Yamaha MG164

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--YAMMG164

Behringer UB2442

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--BEHUB2442FXP

Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--MAC1202VLZPRO

Behringer SL2442FXPro

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--BEHSL2442FXPRO