this is sorda more of a techniqal question, but i am working with a laptop and Focusrite saffire interface. the problem is it only carries 2 inputs and i need to record with 5 mics. is the best way around this to hook up a mixer then connect the mixer to the one input?? any ideas would be greatly apprreciated

You have 2 choices.... use a mixer to blend the 5 mics down to 2 tracks, or get an interface that has more than 2 channels of input.

Which option is better depends on your budget, and the level of control you want out of your production (ie, if you blend 5 mics down to 2, you can't "unblend" them later, so you're stuck with whatever balance you created at the mixer.)
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Bruce Valeriani - Mix Engineer

Hey lilahey, what type of music are you trying to record? If you absolutely have to record with 5 mics, then BlueBear has it nailed, either run a board with the 5 mics and output to the interface or get an interface with more ports. But check this out.....
http://www.sfrecording.com/videos/DrumRecording.mp4
It's a great technique for recording with only 2 mics, I tried it last night and it worked really well.
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Bob Seifert, SEIT
LiveSine Productions
Drummer of 3up3down