Interface vs mixer... will this work?

[Billfordofau]

I'm looking to record some bass. I will then email recordings back and forth between a drummer buddy of mine for a little fun recording project. I have no experience with recording, but I have a pretty good idea of what I need. I'm looking at either an interface like the focusrite 2i2 or a mixer with USB like the behringer xenyx q802. I'll be running my bass through my pedal board into an Ampeg SCR-DI then into the interface or mixer. My plan is to use the SCR-DI headphone jack for monitoring (no latency issues that way right?) and for EQing and amp sim(is this a good idea?). So I think my real question is would the mixer or the interface be the way to go? If I'm using the SCR-DI to EQ, is the mixer necessary? What are the advantages of going with one over the other? Will this set up work?

 

[Ulf_Hansson]

You'll probably want to wait with most of the effects and eq until after recording, keeping all options open to tweak the sound together with the rest of the instuments. So, if you don't need the mixer for something else I'd recommend the Focusrite as I think that is the better sounding interface.

 

[whatizitman]

Go with the interface. The mixer is totally unnecessary in your situation, and will not sound as good. Use the XLR out on the DI, into the XLR in on the interface. Monitor from the interface, not the DI - it's meant for low latency. If you try to monitor from the DI you will not be able to hear playback at the same time. Apply the amp sims/eq-ing after you record.

Do you want to record your pedals and Ampeg DI 'sound'? I'm assuming so. In that case you will need little or NO amp sims. Keep it simple from the get-go.

If you want to use amp sims, keep the signal as clean as possible going into the interface - no pedals, and DI on passive. If you get a scarlett, I do recommend using the DI with it, either passive or 'on', instead of plugging your bass straight into the interface (recording 'direct').

You will need to mix the tracks down to stereo WAV or mp3. If you can't email them due to file size, there are plenty of other sharing solutions, like dropbox.

You will find that there is a lot to learn, your first recordings will not be stellar, and that's ok. Keep it simple, and have fun.

 

[tmdazed]

You'll probably want to wait with most of the effects and eq until after recording, keeping all options open to tweak the sound together with the rest of the instuments. So, if you don't need the mixer for something else I'd recommend the Focusrite as I think that is the better sounding interface.

solid advice , you can always add and subtract in post on a raw recording. with a colored recording , you cant adjust properly if there is something you do not like at the time , saves TONS of time not having to re record a good track because a certain effect or eq setting , which at the seemed like a good idea , but turned out not to be. Gives a lot of latitude to experimentation