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How to connect 4 microphones to an audio interface with only one input?

gerome -  
 gerome -
Hello,

I would like to know how to connect 4 microphones to a USB audio interface linked to my computer. I want to record from 2 to more than 4 people simultaneously for an interview. However, audio interfaces usually have only one or two inputs... I suspect there are ways to connect more than two microphones, but I'm not familiar with them.

It would be nice if you could shed some light on this topic!

Just so you know, I use XLR cables for the microphones
I am looking for a USB audio interface only (as I will be processing this through my computer)
And if any of you have a bit of time and are really nice, please recommend some inexpensive audio interfaces that would work and any additional equipment if necessary! :)))

P.S.: Do you think we can record a maximum number of tracks simultaneously on Audacity? (Between 2 and 10 should be fine, right?...)

2 answers

  1.
    SurfAdCom Posted messages 4214 Status Member 1 843
     
    Hello Gerome,

    to record 4 or more people simultaneously, you have several options:

    - an audio interface with as many inputs as you have microphones

    - a mini one-input audio interface and a mixer with as many inputs as there are microphones

    these two solutions will allow you to record your microphones by mixing the sources onto 1 stereo track with Audacity.
    Audacity can only record 1 stereo track or 2 mono tracks simultaneously.

    Advantages: inexpensive to costly depending on the quality of the equipment, easy to use.
    Disadvantages: all tracks are mixed, you cannot delete or correct an individual track. By making a preset on the mixer before recording to adjust each microphone to the voice it will record (volume, bass, treble, you get a very decent result)

    - a multi-track audio interface (preferably Firewire rather than USB) and software like Cubase: advantages: each microphone is recorded on an independent track that can be deleted or edited separately from the others.
    Disadvantages: very expensive equipment, complicated software use, requires a powerful PC setup...

    Quality will depend on the equipment, do you have a budget?
    What microphones are you using?

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    1
    1. gerome
       
      Hello,

      I have 4 t.bone MB 88U Dual microphones from Thomann. I don't have a budget, but since this is purely for amateur and personal use, I don't need any particular sound quality, just the basic requirement of being able to hear what's being said, so I'm looking for something very inexpensive. This is not for recording singing or instruments, for example.

      Then I was wondering if it would be possible with a 2-channel XLR audio interface to have two dual XLR couplers, in order to have 4 inputs. Just like you can plug two jack microphones into a single mobile phone using a double jack coupler, to connect two pairs of headphones?

      Do you think this is possible or is it pointless? Haha

      As for buying a 4-channel audio interface, that's too expensive for me, and the same goes for buying a mixing console, even a small one; it wouldn't serve any purpose except for connecting my 4 microphones in series.

      What do you mean by a "simultaneous multichannel audio interface"? Do you have any references?

      And what does "firewire" mean?

      I’m sorry, I don’t know the technical terms in this field...

      Thank you very much for your response, hoping you can enlighten me again!
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      1. SurfAdCom Posted messages 4214 Status Member 1 843 > gerome
         
        Then I was wondering if it was possible with a 2 XLR input sound card, to have two double XLR splitters, just to have 4 inputs: it can work, but you have no control over the volume of each mic, for the price difference it's better to use a mixer:

        Splitter: https://www.thomann.de/fr/cae_90074_yaudiosplittkabel.htm?ref=glp_alar_201108_0

        Mixer: https://www.thomann.de/fr/kustom_pa4ex.htm?glp=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzeCyo7zl1QIV1cYbCh3ZaQKBEAQYBCABEgINpfD_BwE

        An example of a multi-track card: https://www.terredeson.com/8preusb.html

        Firewire is a connection interface standard: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireWire
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