Hi All,
 
Maybe a dummy question but I'm just starting out so forgive me.
 
I don't have any equipment at the moment so I'm shopping around but I want to be able to record multiple instruments at the same time and have Sonar record them and be able to mix each channel etc after recording.
 
I'm a little lost as to what i need for that though.
 
Would a mixer with a USB output such as  do what I'm after?
 
I.E. all channels that are sent out via the USB port will go into the same channel number in sonar so I can post mix?
 
Hope that makes sense
 
Thanks
 
Paul
 
 

I don't have any specific recommendations, but what you want is an interface that has enough inputs to accept everything that you want to record simultaneously, that sends out through USB. 
Then, in Sonar, you'd just create an Audio Track for each instrument and set it's input to whatever channel it's corresponding instrument would be using from the interface's USB Out.
 
I just play with myself, so never record more than 2 tracks at a time (so i use stereo separated for L and R channels), but I know there are many interfaces that will cover what you need.
 

A "Recording Interface Unit" is what you want.  A mixer with USB, unless its a specific type won't do what you want.
The recording interface unit will allow however many channels it has (e.g. my MOTU unit has 8 analog preamps built in and I can record up to 8 inputs at once) to be recorded at one time. 
 
There are many USB recording interface units and with many prices.  If you just get an interface unit you will then need analog preamps for each channel.  An interface unit with preamps allows you to either use microphones or instrument inputs direct. 
 
A relatively inexpensive unit is the Tascam US-1608, with has 8 analog preamps and is USB 2.0.  This is just one example.  There are plenty more.  The MOTU unit I have is on the higher end and not needed for "entry level". 

would this kind of thing do the job?

 
 
 
 

hmmm it wont let me post a link
 
Its an Allen and Heath Qu-24 Digital Mixer, Chrome Edition

Here is the link to that mixer:
http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/qu-24/
 
Two things about that mixer.  It is limited to 48kHz sample rate and only 18 in/out into a DAW.
 
The question is, what do you really want to do?  $2300 is a lot to spend on an audio interface.  This mixer is primarily designed for live sound with some capability to record.  It looks like it could function as a control surface for Sonar via midi (but you'd have to set it up.)
 
Most people would buy an audio interface with the channels they need and then a separate control surface.  Ultimately, they would spend less than $2300 and get better quality (higher sample rates, better preamps, etc.)

To add to my other post. 
You want each channel (input) to be on a SEPARATE track, not mixed into one track in Sonar (or any recording program).  You can then do whatever you want to each track and after that is accomplished you then mix it down to either a mono or stereo track.   You DO NOT want them all mixed together externally of Sonar, a misconception that you apparently have.  That is why we do not recommend mixers.
 
 

Thanks for your feedback....
 
Fireberd - I want them in separate tracks - which is the main point of my question as I have only seen smaller audio interfaces with up to 8 tracks. Hence my thought of going for a mixer with usb output and whether that continues to split the tracks and set them up in the same track numbers in sonar. Maybe my post was unclear on that point.
 
Would a Roland UA-1610 STUDIO-CAPTURE USB 2.0 Audio Interface be more appropriate for my needs?
 
Dave - I cant find suitable ones that compare to that mixer with the same amount of inputs for cheaper - do you have a product in mind?
 
Thanks
 
Paul

Before we make any recommendations, please tell us exactly what you intend to do with your rig?
 
Again, $2300 is a lot of money (at least to me) and with the Allen Heath live mixer you are paying for a lot of stuff that you don't need, unless you are doing live *mixing* in addition to recording.
 
There are several product combinations (interface, additional preamp and control surface) which will give you the same inputs/outputs that the Allen Heath will for far less money.
 
Look at the Focusrite 18i20 and Focusrite Clarrett OctoPre (that combination will get you to 16 preamp channels, I think.)

I "had" a Studio Capture.  Didn't like it and sold it.  It has 8 analog preamps built in, as does many of the recording interface units including my MOTU 896mk3 Hybrid.