Topic: Matrix Recordings

[tibbsa]

I saw a question on here about setting up for a 3-mic blend, and this got me to thinking...

I've seen a few shows floating around that were 4-mic mixes, put together with what I can only assume is an el-cheapo, Radio Shack-looking 4-channel mixer (Realistic something or other, I think). 

The question is, noise/quality issues aside, can one use something like this for matrix recordings?  i.e. run the soundboard into channel 1/2, and a set of mics (through a battery box/preamp) to channels 3/4?

Or are these things generally a "mic-level input only" thing...

[Chanher]

I really love the UA-5 for matrices, you can run mics + rca.  My first ua-5 was a wmod, sounded so good, I wish I still had it. Now I run a digimod Ua-5, and I must say I have been impressed.  It made me realize that the Oade mods aren't changing the sound of the ua-5, but they are improving the sound of the ua-5.  anyways I used to use a samson mixpad 4.  a lot more options, cheaper, and I thought sounded above average for the price range.  However no a>d like the ua-5.  If you wanna go real cheap look at some of the mixers @ musicians friend, they have some 4-8 track ones for cheap. you get what you pay for thought.

[hexyjones]

The noise floor on those Radio Shack mixers is very high...not really the kind of equipment you want in your signal path...find something else.

[tibbsa]

The noise floor on those Radio Shack mixers is very high...not really the kind of equipment you want in your signal path...find something else.

Somehow, I expected that much.  :-) 

I don't plan on doing this kind of thing just yet.  Someday, maybe..

[yourpaljay]

I think the only thing that all of these options is missing is digital delay. Because the sound from the SBD feed reaches the tape before the sound from the PA hits the mics and then hits the tape. The number I heard was 1 millisecond for every foot from the stage that your mics are. So, with a UA-5, Mixpad, or even the Radio Shack thing - which I've used to do a SBD+AUD mix and got boomy, echo-y results for the reason above - you can make the mix. However, I would be wary to call it a true Matrix without the delay. Check out what Umphrey's McGee runs at every show to learn more But anyway, just my thoughts...

Thanks,
Jay