It would be best if you had a mixer with direct outs on each channel. That way you could connect them to the inputs on the 1010LT and nothing would mix. Each channel would just be working like a outboard mic preamp. You could then choose to use the mixer to set your monitor levels or you could use the Delta software mixer. The hardware mixer might be quicker to reach for and would provide a headphone amp also. A common setup would be like this...
Delta 1010LT 1&2 out - > Mixer Tape or Aux return to hear playback
Mixer direct out 1 to Delta 1010LT in 1
Mixer direct out 2 to Delta 1010LT in 2
Mixer direct out 3 to Delta 1010LT in 3
Mixer direct out 4 to Delta 1010LT in 4
Mixer direct out 5 to Delta 1010LT in 5
Mixer direct out 6 to Delta 1010LT in 6
Mixer direct out 7 to Delta 1010LT in 7
Mixer direct out 8 to Delta 1010LT in 8
This lets you record any of the first 8 channels with ease and also be able to hear what has been recorded without that going back into an input by accident. On most mixers the direct output is at a set volume (what the gain is set for) so moving one of the channel faders to set your monitor level won't change the record level.
On a mixer without direct outs you can use Aux sends to feed the inputs till your run out but that limits the number of things you can record at once (on seperate tracks) to the number of Aux sends you have.
The mixer stereo outputs should never be connected back to the sound card in most cases, that goes directly to your powered speakers or amp. If you need to record some things already mixed use an stereo Aux or bus output on the mixer, not the main out. Some mixers have a way to prevent playback from being mixed at the outputs by providing a second set of outputs (control room) for the speakers and you can swtich the "tape" inputs to only go to those and the main outputs will only have the channels.
post edited by ohhey - 2007/03/22 10:28:47