Question on Mixers? (Audio Device)?

Question

I'm fairly confused on the setup of an Audio Mixer.

I'm not extremely experienced with the equipment...

I've been drumming for 4 years and have decided to start micing my drums and running them through a mixer.

Now, I noticed the mixer I'm planning to purchase is built with 4 jacks (guitar, bass, drums, 2nd guitar)..ect. Do I directly plug the instrument into the mixer and run that through an amplifier? Or is there a more specific way to run the equipment?

I in addition had another question.

I'm going to use Audacity for recording uses. Am I able to use the mixer to convert the live version to a recorded format?

Please help... I'm very inexperienced with audio equipment.

Also, what is all the equipment that is necessary to purchase for my following gig?

I've never miced my drums on set and my guitarists would just use their own amplifiers.

I just decided to take it up a notch.

Thanks!

Answer 1

It almost sounds like you really don't need a mixer if you are performing live.  If the guitars and bass have their own amps and the drums are loud enough (usually too loud) you may not need to amplify anything else.  If you have vocals, that will change everything.  Many bands just amplify the vocals through a mixer, amplifier and speakers.

A PA system is what you would need if you want to "take it up a notch".  A PA system consists of microphones, mic cables, mic stands, mixer, amplifier, speakers and speaker stands and maybe a monitor or two for the band.  It can be a big investment.

If you are just planning on recording, then a mixer would be a good thing to get.  You don't have to mic every drum to start.  Even one well placed mic can pick up the drum set pretty well.

You may even want to consider some sort of inexpensive "computer recording interface".  An interface will allow you to connect a microphone or two and even the output of your mixer to the computer.