TubeNet

David-

I use a very similar setup: Shure SM81's, to a small Mackie board, to an Alesis Masterlink. This recorder is large and not really meant for what I use it for, but the setup does a fantastic job. I have used this setup for live recitals (tuba and other instruments) as well as "studio" type of recording sessions.

Your Behringer mixer is a surprisingly powerful little machine. If you can get the sound that you want out of that, you may not have to change anything at the recorder. I would do most of it with the mixer and keep the Edirol's recording levels somewhere in the middle.

Good luck!

Ben Miles

A general rule I use is to always do most of the amplification with the best amp. Usually, (not always) the record input level in the recorder operates a pre-amp that is not as good as some other external pre-amp devices. When recording the tuba any weakness in the equipment chain will become most noticeable when the playing is loudest. I believe I would turn the volume on the recorder down to about 1/4 to 1/3 full input level, and adjust the mixer output level upwards to the desired level. As always, you won't know until you test it.

I like to put the mics pretty close to the sound source also, and turn input volume down even more. This makes it easier on the equipment since there is less artificial amplification in the loop. I don't mind adding reverb if the master recording comes out a little too dry either. Some people like to put the mics in the back of the hall and get a real soupy echo, and sometimes that works well, but once the recording is made you can't reduce the reverb in order to gain clarity.

You should have the signal as hot as possible (without clipping or distortion) going into the recorder. (Sometimes a compressor or limiter is used in the chain for this purpose).This will give you the best signal to noise ratio. If you have too low of a level going in you will have more noise. More signal and less noise is best. You should adjust your pre-amp (your mixer) accordingly. You want to have your gain structure even throughout the process. If you record at too low of a level and then have to bump the levels up later on to get good saturation for the final product (most likely CD) then you will add distortion and suck some of the life out of the recording.
Good luck, Phil