What do these multi track mixers really do?

Question

i just got into the whole home recording scene, but i cannot figure out these 14 track mixers or something like that, mutli track mixers do. What's the purpose of having them, and what would u recommend to a beginner? thank you

Answer 1

With a mixer, you can take input from multiple devices and record them all at once. I recommend the Alesis 8-track USB mixer for a beginner.

Answer 2

Let us assume that you are making a recording using eight mics. Each mic feeds a mixer channel and all mixer channels feed the main channel output. By carefully controlling the input and output of the mixer's eight channels you can achieve a recording that has bigger bass, more midrange, softer highs and so on. Each mic is controlled according to what the recording engineer wants and the final recording (into the digital or analog recorder) is a composite of all eight channels mixed together. Being a professional mixing engineer takes a great deal of training and knowhow about recording. I don't know the names of quality mixers but the guys in the music store can help you with that one. Make sure that when you buy a mixer that it can take overload without seriously breaking up. It should also have very low harmonic and intermodulation distortion.

Answer 3

Sounds to me like you are confusing two different products.

When referring to a mixer, one usually refers to its number of single inputs, or channels. i.e. a 4,8,16 channel mixer.

In reference to describing something as "multi-track", you are probably referring to a multi-track recorder.

A multi track recorder will allow you to, for example, record a rythm riff with your guitar on one track. Then, play that same riff back and record the lead guitar on another track. Combine the two "tracks" afterward and you have a rythm and a lead playing at the same time.