A question on digital mixers.

[Lateralus359]

i want to get something in which i can record drums and guitars. I read up on preamps and things but most don't have enough inputs for me(i need about 8 or ten) for the price i can afford(about 200 euro). Then i read about digital mixers. Would these magical devices connect to my computer and could i record a guitar so i could use say guitar rig? It would prob have to have a preamp in it i assume and do they have preamps?! As you can see i'm a little bit lost on the subject.

[richiebee]

Just be wary because some don't give you discrete outputs of each channel. This is important from a mixing perspective. IT defines whether the mixer sends to your computer a two channel mix of everything from the board, or whether it sends individual outputs so that you can mix in your DAW afterwards. Both have a valid place, but they differ drastically in their flexibility.

Rich

[String7th]

There are some cheap alternatives to get 8 or more individual tracks. Line-6, Tascam and Alesis have made some very affordable mixer/interfaces that can take 8 or more preamps to separate channels in your DAW. But of course with the cheaper alternative, you lose a bit of quality and versatility. But if you are looking for personal use and not expecting to open a world famous studio, then will do the job.