Next weekend I am going to do a live recording of a friend's band. I have  a two channel interface (Focusrite Scarlett 8i6). From their mixer - Behringer Eurorack MX2562A - my plan "A" is to tap off an aux send-(1-2; 3/5, 4/6) - which have their own gain knobs. Sends 1 and 2 can be set to pre-or post. My main question is - would "best-practice" be to go with pre-fader, and use the send gain control to set my own mix, versus the band/PA mix? 
 
The second part of this question is what about this method -  (involves a lot more cables): come off the direct-out of every channel they use (8 in all), to a Yamaha mixer then out stereo to my interface. This way I also have seperate control of every mic; and stay seperate from the house mix.     thanx 

The way volumes jump around it would be nice to be able to keep up with them yourself as per suggestion 2 because once you go into your interface, what you have is it but then your wont be able to add FX to each individual piece if you go direct out off of their board.

What they capture with the mics and put out from their board will probably be your best bet, atleast you will have the FX but then you are stuck with what ever their mix is like.

You could do it the first way and watch their board for them making sure its good for you on the recording end if at all possible

You definitely want to be in control of what you are putting into the mix on your DAW. Doesn't matter how you do it.

Part 2, if you have the cables....avoid the house mix at all costs and that lets you operate without having to reach across the FOH guy's board. I'd opt for this one were it me. Put on some noise reducing cans, crank it up and get the mix right.  

Mixing live to stereo 2 track  doesn't hurt for you to know the songs and know when the solo's are coming and who's taking them.  After all.... it's not like you will have 8 tracks you can remix later..... you got one take and it's stereo. 

I agree with having that channel control of my own.... I do have the advantage of knowing their playlist pretty well, so will man my mix levels for that. I have recorded them before - but that time with no mixer of my own, and just went of a subgroup out line. Was at the mercy of their house mix, which was "fair"  but could have been a lot better.

House mix from a PA is usually only a part of the total sound because you have stage sound form amps and drums and as a result, they can be severely lacking in the house mix, especially with loud guitarists. 

Always a good idea to get you own mix for that, among other reasons. 

Have fun.... maybe post one or two songs up on the songs forum after you finish so we can hear what you did.

Mixing live to stereo 2 track doesn't hurt for you to know the songs and know when the solo's are coming and who's taking them. After all.... it's not like you will have 8 tracks you can remix later..... you got one take and it's stereo.

... if it was and I was trying to document the sound of the band in a live situation, then a pair of stereo mics in the back of the room/field.

I guess it comes down to how familiar you are with the band's material, and how much on-the-fly mixing and effecting they need, since you're going to be basically mimicking the FOH guy's actions. I'd be tempted to use the stereo outs and let him do all the work (assuming he knows what he's doing). Then, if the band doesn't like the recorded mix, you can say "that's what it sounded like in the audience".

I am curious as to how the stereo two track mix/recording is going to be monitored while the band plays live. If it's on headphones then they will have to be loud to overpower the sound that will be in the room.

The ultimate way for this to work is to do that stereo mix somewhere else away from the main room in another much quieter room. Then you do it on monitors down at a respectable volume. Is that possible? Video camera hookup lets you see what is going on. This approach works better using mic splitters and sending to a completely separate mixer. 

I love this approach --- that's how you mixed it!!! Actually about two years ago I did this and just came off the mixer's headphone jack. It actually came out very good - two members of this current band are the same. The lead guitarist (who happens to be fantastic) adjusted the house mix. even though I could not hear it that great in my phones the results were good. Hey if I do want to post some of the results what about the issue of these being cover songs??? Would I really owe someone for that??

as far as monitoring, I am able to set up way to the side and towards the back of the stage - so if I jack up the phone's volume, and press them to my head - it is pretty decent. My main query is on how to route things..... I appreciate the ideas so far. Keep em coming!!