Should i invest in a mixer?

[Cold Truth]

ok, i use cubase sx and an m-audio 24/96 card. i like the quality i produce thus far, however when recording vocals, guitars, anything audio, i always get really low input levels. me and my friend are using his P.A system as an amp for vocals (which are VERY low and require a lot of processing...)

so i was wondering if a small, inexspensive mixer would do the job? also, i was considering one for effects purposes as well. this was i can get around some of the cpu drain when it comes to some reverbs/delays/flangers/compression/etc..... actually, i am going to try out my korg pxr4 for this..... i forgot i even had it!

the other thing is, in certain tracvks, where i have a thinner, high end snare sound, it comes out paper thin outside of headphones and the computer.

would a mixer help me add a bit of warmth and better sound quality from my midi tracks after running through the mixer and back into the pc as audio?

any input here?

 

[Architect]

Mixer
Yes a mixer will help you out with the levels of instruments you want to record to your DAW. I use a Mackie 1202 along with a 24/96 and I don't have any problems with low levels. Take a look at Behringer, Mackie, Soundcraft, Yamaha or whatever you find that right in line with your budget and your satisfied with the sound of the mixer. I don't know if any of the inexpensive mixers will have GOOD effects that you would want to use, I would stick to your DAW effects they'll sound a whole lot better. You won't get much warmth especially if your going for a inexpensive mixer, but utilize some plugins and experiment until you get close to the sound you want.

Monitoring
Check your monitoring setup if your hearing tracks through the headphones that sound alright but when you listen out on your system it's different, your not getting accurate picture of your tracks. Try to figure out the weaknesses in your setup for instance if your speakers give you too much bass or too little bass make sure you adjust accordingly when performing your mixes.

Sound Quality
Start off with good sources I record at 24 bit 44.1khz, also some people overlook using good cables when hooking up their equipment. Also try to remove any sources of noise in your setup, keep it simple. That PA system maybe doing more harm than good.

 

[Formant024]

Im using a Allen&Heath 16:2 Mixwizard,

16 mic/line inputs with -30dB pad, gain, 4 band EQ with sweepable mids and 100Hz high pass filter, 6 aux sends, pan, channel on switching, peak led, PFL and 100mm fader. Globally selectable +48V phantom power

6 aux sends, 1-4 switchable pre/post fade, 5-6 fixed post fade

A-B output, configurable as alternative L-R out, mono out or local monitor feed

4 band EQ on mic/line inputs with separate controls for sweep and cut/boost on mid bands.

2 stereo returns with routing to aux 1 and L-R

12 segment, 3 colour led metering for L-R and PFL. Peak leds on all channels

Last but not least, track outs on all 16 chnls biatch!

DX, with fx ( pc configurable )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3715157386&category=23785#ebayphotohosting

A much cheaper fx solution
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3715244086&category=23785#ebayphotohosting

16:2 DX with Road Case
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3715760592&category=23785#ebayphotohosting

The summing of the internal busses on a Digi 01 (and PC sound cards) for example, is done with algorithms and number crunching so naturally it's your biggest compromise when you're
trying to fit 48 tracks onto two. The summing of a an analogue desk, even a cheap one,
is greatly improved because it's using voltages rather than numbers"

 

[def1nition]

yeah you definitely want to get a mixer I use a berhinger when recording vocals, instruments most mixers have built in preamps so you won't have to worry about source being low. The quality may also have to do with the input your using you may want to get a digital audio interface for your computer while these are expensive they can really improve quality.