I am trying to set up a low budget recording. I already have an 8-channel mixer and I was thinking about recording drums using 6 or 7 piece drum mic kits using my mixer, then connect the mixer's headphone out to my Scarlett 2i4's input.
As much as I want to try this myself, my mixer's power cable was not included (I still have to go back to the shop where I bought it).
Is my idea possible?
This will definitely work, however, you will be stuck with the mix you have. Since you're taking multiple inputs and sending them through the mixer and into a single channel on your interface, you won't be able to go back and set the volumes for different microphones differently, or add any plugins/effects to single microphones. Because of this, you will probably need to do a lot of experimenting, recording with some settings, listening back, making adjustments, and repeat. I've seen some people accomplish a great sound with this approach but it is very limiting since you can't adjust individual mics after the fact. With the 2i2, you should have two inputs, so I might recommend experimenting a little and choosing a microphone to send direct to the interface and allow you to have a little control over it after the fact. This would most likely work best with your kick or snare mic. Depending on your mixer, you may be able to create a couple groups of channels and send them separately to the interface, allowing you to separate some of the mics from each other.
I'm not sure how many inputs the scarlett has but if your mixer has direct channel outs, Id use those to go into the scarlett, or if your mixer has submixes, (most hve at least 4) you could send your kick and snare to sub 1 and 2 and send toms and cymbals to 3 & 4. some level adjusting will need to take place but I would try to get as many drums on as many tracks as possible, unless you are trying to get a stereo mix of the drums , then I would just come out of the main outs.
