Recording drums to tape via Mackie VLX1024 pro

[Guitarking]

Hello everyone!

I'd like to record my life drumkit with 4 mics (2x OH, kick, snare) into my Revox tape machine. I have a mackie VLZ pro 1024 mixer that I can use for mic inputs. I've learned on this forum that one can dodge the eq section by using the channel inserts on the back (??). But how to do this when I have 4 mics going into 2 inputs at the REvox?

Thanks!

[Philbo King]

If you are recording to 2 track tape, the logical choice would be to set the EQ controls flat and use the L/R output of the mixer to feed the stereo into the tape machine.

The drawback is you need to nail the drum mix before hitting record since the mix will be 'baked'
onto the tape.

[Wonks]

Can you double check your mixer’s name, as I’m not getting any hits when I look it up.

1202 vlz4 maybe?

[Hugh Robjohns]

I have a mackie VLZ pro 1024 mixer...

I don't recognise that model. Do you mean a 1402 or 1604 vlz pro?

I've learned on this forum that one can dodge the eq section by using the channel inserts on the back (??). But how to do this when I have 4 mics going into 2 inputs at the REvox?

Short answer: you can't!

The insert send provides an (unbalanced) output direct from the preamp, and that can be useful if you have a multitrack recorder recording each channel separately.

But you want to record a stereo mix of four mics onto the Revox, so you need to record the mixer's stereo main outputs. If you don't want to EQ the mics, just set the EQ gains to the middle (flat) position.

The vlz pro mixers aren't great for headroom, so I'd recommend adjusting channel gains so that the stereo mix peaks no higher than +6dB on the output meters.

[Zukan]

Why do you want to do this?

I ask because there might be better workarounds.