Recording only one track with an analog mixer (Alesis Multimix)

[blur]

Hello,

I was thinking if there is a way of recording a specific input track with my audio interface using an analog mixer. Something like having all tracks mix on my monitors but having only one specific being sent by the analog mixer to be recorded through my computer based audio interface.

In a more specific product I was thinking if that would be possible with an Alesis Multimix USB (not Firewire). I know that the stream being sent through the USB for the computer is only the main mix. But is there a way of only send one specific input through USB while hearing the all mixdown through the monitors? Or send the specific input by analog for the computer soundcard?

Thank you very much in advance,

Cheers

[oretez]

not intimate with multi mix USB so I could be missing something

I don't remember seeing a USB mixer (or firewire for that matter) that has solo/mute routing to the USB bus, which of course would be optimal

if a mixer has 'inserts' (initially designed as in in/out loop for out board FX) you can physically patch (with cable) from those points to input of a computer audio card (essentially you use 1/4" cable and only insert the cable half way into the socket)

I don't think the multi mix USB line included inserts (though the IO (firewire does))

Or, lacking inserts, you can route the channel you want to a 'send' bus (keeping all other channels off that bus) and route that to a physical input on a computer audio card

conversely, depending on how the mixer is laid out (signal routing) you can (might) be able to 'send' all channels to your ambient monitoring but route only the one you want to the USB USB would have to be post fader, and on some mixers the mute/solo switch does not effect the send bus (i.e. you can mute all tracks but one but still monitor live mix via send bus, on some mixers you can toggle what the headphones monitor, though generally speaking you would not tend to route that to either speakers or computer, though it is possible)

There are probably other strategies as well but above might provide some clues

good luck