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Getting More than 2 inputs.


psychedelicfever
Go to solution Solved by David Nahmani,

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Catalina Version: 10.15.7

Logic Version:10.6.1

I use a behringer u-control UCA222 to connect my yamaha MG102c to my Macbook Pro (2016 with Thunderbolt/Lightning Ports).

I want to get more inputs to record live drums on separate tracks. However, whenever I go to my inputs in Logic, the max I have is 2. How can I get multiple outputs and still connect the Yamaha to my computer?

Thank you so much.

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I like the new website design by the way.

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1 hour ago, psychedelicfever said:

my yamaha MG102c

That's just a mixer, not an audio interface, correct? Is there a USB port on it? I didn't see one when I searched for it.

That mixer cannot send all those channels to Logic without being a dedicated audio interface, it's just a mixer with no digital output.

So there's no way to get those mixer channels into Logic, unfortunately.

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No , the yamaha does not have a usb. thats why i use the uca222 adapter into a usb to lightning port. Thank you so much triplets.

 

My last resort....

I have a presonus audio box. But that only has two places to plug into. Could i utilize this to gain more inputs (combine the yamaha and the presonus?) or must I buy an interface with more inputs? thank you so much for your help.

 

still learning the differences between an interface and mixer.

Edited by psychedelicfever
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4 hours ago, psychedelicfever said:

must I buy an interface with more inputs?

Yes. The number of inputs you can see in Logic (and thus the number of separate audio tracks you can record simultaneously) is the number of inputs of your connected audio interface. 

In your case the behringer u-control UCA222 is a 2-input interface so Logic is showing you 2 inputs (the Yamaha is an analog mixer, not an audio interface). 

An analog mixer takes multiple audio inputs and mixes (sums) them into a single stereo output. An interface takes multiple audio inputs and makes them available as digital audio streams on your Mac, often via a USB cable. 

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Thank you so much. Can you guys recommend what it is I am looking for?

Goal: I want to record live drums with at least 4 mics as well as inputs for guitar, bass, vocals, and synth.

One that doesn't break the budget? Possibly under $600?

 

 

 

At this moment I don't know how to connect other instruments to inputs that aren't XLR or 1/4 inch.( I get confused sometimes because when I research mixers they say 10 inputs but I only see 8 actual 1/4 inputs and no XLR inputs so I am confused on how people are connecting more instruments, and also confused why they just don't include those 2 extra inputs in 1/4 form?)

I end up forgetting how to recreate a sound because I have to switch back and forth plugging and unplugging.

 

I heard about mackie onyx(1640i) and bought one long ago, but returned it after reading online about drivers no longer being updated and questioned whether I would even be able to keep using it. ( i loved the quietness and sound of it though.)

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3 minutes ago, psychedelicfever said:

Can you guys recommend what it is I am looking for?

Goal: I want to record live drums with at least 4 mics as well as inputs for guitar, bass, vocals, and synth.

One that doesn't break the budget? Possibly under $600?

Get a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8: https://amzn.to/3HbzJJv (that link is the 4 mic preamp model but there's also an 8 mic preamp model if you feel like you may need more in the near future). 

Focusrite 18i8 4 mic preamps

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5 minutes ago, psychedelicfever said:

At this moment I don't know how to connect other instruments to inputs that aren't XLR or 1/4 inch.( I get confused sometimes because when I research mixers they say 10 inputs but I only see 8 actual 1/4 inputs and no XLR inputs so I am confused on how people are connecting more instruments, and also confused why they just don't include those 2 extra inputs in 1/4 form?)

Sometimes you have additional digital inputs such as optical inputs or ADAT inputs. You cannot connect instruments or microphones directly to those inputs, you would need additional mic preamps with optical or ADAT output to connect to those, so for your use you can disregard them: what matters to you is the number of mic/instrument preamps. 

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Thank you David for that explanation. After the focusrite, what would be your second and third recommendation? (Just to have options, and there are mixed reviews on amazon comments)

 

 

These analog mixers like the Yamaha and Mackie Onynx 1640i are mostly used for monitoring of bands at live venues/adding effects? or what are they used for?

 

And the audio interface is mainly used in conjuction with DAW's because of the ability to record multiple inputs (record multiple drums)?

 

Or am I reading too hard and fast and these models just happen to be the way that they are for a plethora of obscure reasons?

 

 

Edited by psychedelicfever
Looked at the reviews on amazon
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Another solid choice that fits the bill would be the Presonus Studio 1810c - I've owned a couple of Presonus AudioBox interfaces and they've been good to me. Solid interface, reliable.

Another choice that is less ubiquitous so you'll see less reviews for it is the Tascam 208i - I don't have any experience with it. 

There's also the iConnectivity Audio 4c and the Audient ID44 which are both from reputable manufacturers.

3 hours ago, psychedelicfever said:

These analog mixers like the Yamaha and Mackie Onynx 1640i are mostly used for monitoring of bands at live venues/adding effects? or what are they used for?

Yes, live venues, rehearsal rooms, etc. 

3 hours ago, psychedelicfever said:

And the audio interface is mainly used in conjuction with DAW's because of the ability to record multiple inputs (record multiple drums)?

Yes, the audio interface can communicate with the computer and adds audio inputs and outputs to the computer. A MIDI interface adds MIDI inputs and outputs to the computer. 

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1 hour ago, fusbur said:

I really wouldn't worry about Amazon reviews - they're often untrustworthy.

I agree, especially when it concerns music hardware. For example I noticed that some of the bad reviews for the Focusrite concern Windows, one is about the included Pro Tools software requiring 8 GB of RAM... etc. So yes, don't worry too much about those bad reviews, tons of Logic Pro users use these Focusrite interfaces and find it reliable. 

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1 minute ago, psychedelicfever said:

I think I used to have the option to reedit the title for but maybe the new site doesn't allow it anymore.[SOLVED]. Thanks again you guys

There's now a link titled "Mark as Solution" at the bottom of each individual post, you can click the one that resolved the issue for you and that will mark the topic as solved. 

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