Multi input mic USB ADC - does such a thing exist?

[Watchman]

My son wants to record our drumkit into his computer. He doesn't want a traditional mixing desk - he would prefer to record each mic directly into the computer where he could mix and add effects accordingly.

He needs something with 12-channels of mic inputs with phantom power as a switchable option, gain control for each, and a USB interface that presents these inputs as 12-channels to the computer. It doesn't need to be anymore complex than this.

Does such a thing exist?

We couldn't even find a mixing desk that presents all 12-channels via USB - they all seem to only present the stereo pair this way.

Thanks.

[thebraketester]

You'll struggle to get exactly what you have described.... and it you can find an audio interface with 12 channels all with gain control on all channels then it will be expensive.


12 channels is a LOT..... I bet Abbey road wouldn't use 12 channels on a drum kit (ok.. maybe they would do for certain situations).

You can record drums very successfully with 5 channels. Hi-hats, snare, kick, and 2 overheads.


Something like this would work.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/soundcraft_signature_12m...

Edited by thebraketester on Saturday 19th September 11:00

[Watchman]

Oh the 12-channels aren't all for the drums. He was just thinking that he could set up a booth for the guitars and vox too, and leave it all in place.

I have suggested if he could get a 6-channel version, he might consider buying one for the drums and either repurpose it for the vox and guitars when needed, or buy a second one when he can afford it.

Anyway, there are inexpensive Chinese full desks with USB interfaces but I think they are input only. There's also a relatively cheap Behringer desk with a USB interface connected to one of those "printer" port style USB ports which I think means it's an output but I'm not sure.

[thebraketester]

See the link above...... that would work well.

[Mr Pointy]

If you search for 'audio interface' you should have more success. Tascam & Behringer might have something that would do what he wants:

https://www.tascam.eu/en/category/computer-audio
https://www.tascam.eu/en/us-16x08.html
https://www.tascam.eu/en/us-20x20.html

https://www.behringer.com/catalog.html?catalog=Cat...
https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P...

The search will throw up suppliers pages like this where you can spend some happy hours:
https://www.andertons.co.uk/recording/audio-interf...

[DanoS4]

As above, multi-interface is the way forward, but TBH, unless the mics are
1. good
2. placed correctly (ie engineering skills)
3. room is acoustically sympathetic

the results will be "ok".


As a suggestion (and only that as there are LOADS, and mic opinions are like a$$holes etc etc)

https://www.thomann.de/gb/akg_drum_set_session_i.h... Drum Mic set - £235
https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_xenyx_x2442_us... Behringer mixer with built-in interface. £219



FYI, my drum recordings usually have about 16 -18 mics

Failing that, you'd need to look at the likes of MOTU, & Focusrite
Both do what you want, but not "cheaply" - although tbf, you didn't ask for cheap LOL!

Focusrite Saffire (used) has 8 mic pre
MOTU do a similar thing.

12's going to be a tough - Behringer do the https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P...
But again, only 8 inputs.
Shame he doesn't want an X32 - 2nd hand they're great value! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-X32-Rack-Mixe...

Most other mixers are limited to smaller I/O.

Edited by DanoS4 on Saturday 19th September 16:35

Edited by DanoS4 on Saturday 19th September 16:41

[Watchman]

Oh man, thanks for all the links. I just didn't know where to start looking but my lad knew what he thought he wanted. That Tascam looks to be exactly what he wants.

Yes, it's not cheap and we didn't think it would be. I also don't think he'll afford it for a while but it gives him something to work for.

Thanks again.

[jet_noise]

Watchman said:

Oh man, thanks for all the links. I just didn't know where to start looking but my lad knew what he thought he wanted. That Tascam looks to be exactly what he wants.

Yes, it's not cheap and we didn't think it would be. I also don't think he'll afford it for a while but it gives him something to work for.

Thanks again.

I'd have thought the 12 mics are going to be the major outlay. I imagine the world has moved on from SM57s, D12 for the kick, and cheapie condensers for overhead & hihat

[jet_noise]

DanoS4 said:

FYI, my drum recordings usually have about 16 -18 mics

How do stop crosstalk between them, gating?

[Watchman]

jet_noise said:

I'd have thought the 12 mics are going to be the major outlay. I imagine the world has moved on from SM57s, D12 for the kick, and cheapie condensers for overhead & hihat

I have advised him that when I played "our" drums (back then), I would never have considered recording my own - I always chose a recording studio. They're not expensive, if you look around.

But he is still young enough to believe he can take on the world, so who am I to argue? He'll likely buy some cheap-ish mics and find out whether they're worthwhile or not.

I suggested a drum machine, so he could at least write music (he's premoninantly a guitarist - and he's good too), but he wants to post on YouTube him playing as many of the parts in a song as instruments he can collect. This is mostly why he thought a multi-track (in and out) ADC would be a good idea - in principle he thought it'd be cheaper than a desk however he is adamant he wants each cymbal, tom, drum, etc recorded separately so he can edit as he feels.

He has a job now so he'll have to decide whether he really wants to blow £500 on a Tascam 20x20 or save up for a car. He was a little ambivalent towards a car but his nan bought him an under-17s driving lesson which has seriously fired up his interest in driving.

Rather earlier in life than me, he's finding out how expensive man-toys are vs a typical income (I only wanted a BMX at his age - and bough it). It'll only get worse, I'm sure.

[thebraketester]

Honestly ( and I know he wont listen) Putting mics on everything just isn't needed. I put something together (big band chart) over the last few months and the drummer sent me 4 tracks... ie. 4 mics. It sounded great.

[jet_noise]

Wow that AKG mic set suggested by DanoS4 is some bargain!
Exceptional VFM acc. reviews.

[Watchman]

jet_noise said:

Wow that AKG mic set suggested by DanoS4 is some bargain!
Exceptional VFM acc. reviews.

Yes, I meant to say thanks for that too. Now that I've seen what you can buy for £500... well it might actually be fun to have a go as you can clearly buy quality kit for the price of a half-decent guitar.

[Mr Pointy]

Watchman said:

Yes, I meant to say thanks for that too. Now that I've seen what you can buy for £500... well it might actually be fun to have a go as you can clearly buy quality kit for the price of a half-decent guitar.

Just to point out that the Tascam 20x20 has the same number of mic inputs as the 16x8 but fewer direct line inputs so he might want to think about the inputs he's got to deal with. The 20x20 has extra inputs via coax AES & SPDIF but they are for the connection of other external equipment. If you look at the documentation tab & download the Reference Manual then find the Specification section there's a block diagram which shows you the internal arrangement of each device:

https://www.tascam.eu/en/docs/US-16x08_RM_EN.pdf
https://www.tascam.eu/en/docs/US-20x20_RM_EN.pdf

The 16x08 is half the price of the 20x20...

[Watchman]

Mr Pointy said:

Just to point out that the Tascam 20x20 has the same number of mic inputs as the 16x8 but fewer direct line inputs so he might want to think about the inputs he's got to deal with. The 20x20 has extra inputs via coax AES & SPDIF but they are for the connection of other external equipment. If you look at the documentation tab & download the Reference Manual then find the Specification section there's a block diagram which shows you the internal arrangement of each device:

https://www.tascam.eu/en/docs/US-16x08_RM_EN.pdf
https://www.tascam.eu/en/docs/US-20x20_RM_EN.pdf

The 16x08 is half the price of the 20x20...

Thanks - yes I was reading about that.

Honestly, I think the Behringer would work for this "experiment". It's cheaper still and many reviewers seem to prefer it over the Tascam. There are also cheaper mic sets too and whilst I would opt for the AKGs or something similar, that's because I have a proper job and could afford it whereas my 15yo son should probably rein-in his ambitions a tad.

Some of the other mic kits also come with rim-mounts. I'm a little sceptical about these - I've always preferred 100% mechanical separation between the mics and the drums - but if you're factoring-in the cost of mic stands, that is five fewer he will need to buy.

Thanks again - I've compiled a list of interesting items. I'll sit down with him tonight and we will decide how to approach it.

[jet_noise]

There's a review of 5 kits at different prices [url]here.|https://www.voicesinc.org/drum-mic-kit-reviews/[url]
Found by internet searching, no knowledge of reviewer, parked at owners risk etc