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Outboard Mixer and DAW
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| evo8 |
Just humouring myself...looking at outboard mixers - they more hands on stuff i buy the more i hate using the mouse
So anyone here with a mixer and also using a sequencer, i assume you route your tracks from say Ableton out to the relevant mixer channels?
How do you render your mixdown then?
And say you have reverbs set up in Live on return tracks, what happens to them? Would you need an outboard reverb?
Just curious, thinking to the future maybe ;)
p.s. raphie i think you are running something similar? |
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| tehlord |
I'd go down the Avid MC Control/Mix or Mackie Control Universal route if I were you.
Unless you spend money on the mixer, the interface and the relevant converters you're just adding noise for no real benefit. |
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| Storyteller |
Yep. Get a soundcard with sufficient input/outputs and do everything in the box. Want a more hands-on approach get some controllers :).
Coulnd't be happier with my setup which is similar to the above.
12ins/12outs audio
8in/8out midi
24ch patchbay
The expenses would add up (a bit). A decent 12 in/out soundcard costs as much as a decent mixer. But with a mixer you'd still need the soundcard.
With the above setup, which I have, I've got plenty of spare channels to plug in some borrowed equipment every now and then. :) |
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| evo8 |
What controllers are ye lads using then? And are they expensive?
And some of the mixers you dont need a soundcard as far as i know - allen & heath ZedR16 is such a one i think?
anyway, just curious ;) |
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| cryophonik |
Back when I had 10-12 hardware synths and an outboard digital recorder, I used an outboard mixer (Soundcraft SpiritFolio; Allen & Heath). After I upgraded my soundcard, I tried to force the outboard mixer into my workflow, but ultimately, realized that I was just making things more difficult than they needed to be, adding noise, running up my electric bill, etc., so I simplified...then simplified some more...then simplified even more and now I'm down to 2 H/W synths running directly into my soundcard.
I have the same feelings about being hunched over a computer and working with a mouse, so I do miss a lot of things about working OTB. That's why I've found other ways around the constant mouse clicking, such as control surfaces, hybrid gear (e.g., Maschine, Virus TI2), and iPad apps. It's still not quite the same as my old setup, but each has its pros/cons, so I consider it a wash.
Anyway, before you drop a load of cash on any mixers or controllers, take a look at the Neyrinck V-Control Pro app for iPad. For the price of a good mixing console, you could buy an iPad and load it up with VCP and a bunch of other control surfaces. Not the same effect or workflow as going the multi-channel hardware controller/mixer, I know, but I'm really happy with it and it sure is nice to move around the studio with my mixer, edit my plugins from the V-Window (remote desktop module w/in VCP), switch over to a MIDI controller app when needed, or take a break and play Angry Birds. ;) |
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| PassiePassion |
Yep getting a controller would be smartest.
I started making music 20 years ago on ATARI.
So i used hardware a lot still own hardware
Roland MC 505 [full midi control]
Yamaha CS2X [My keyboard cos i like to play my notes not program them ,makes it more human imo]
Roland D-50 [first dig synth]
EMU ESI 4000 sampler incl effects card and extra memory [Un used now as EXS-24 internal sampler from Logic i use now]
ATARI 1040 stf if i recal right and i have 2 more in my shet fo parts ,never use it now but never will sell my hardware]
Yamaha Pro Mix 01 [full midi mixer ,but its in the box , unused]
Yamaha MX 12/4 mixer hardware [Catching dust never in use]
Gemini PS - 626 Pro mixer hardware [That one i use on main out of my soundcard].
Getting a decent audio card is most important certainly if you use hardware.
I have the M-Audio Delta 10/10 LT.
So i plugged my hardware MC505 to input 7 and 8
Plugged the hardware CS2X to input 5 and 6
And have a mic plugged into 1 and 2 only using 1 as mic is mono
I could route my hardware into my Pro Mix and then the mixer dig out to dig in of sound card
But as mentioned above WHY ? , That would only add more noise.
If connected to sound card directly then you record the pure signal.
Output use
With the outputs i don't really do a lot to be honest.
I just send all instruments to the same output
And then bounce the output ,thats digital recording
If you record the main output then you may get extra noise.
With using hardware you off course first need to record your hardware signal to audio.
If you hate using the mouse to move the faders.
Then a controller is what you want
Thats only a midi controller that is connected to your software
Move a fadar then the fadar on your seq can move.
I can do this with my MC505 and Pro mix 01 too i think
But i rather do it in the sequencer cos there every position is saved
And my sequencer can automate anything
So i only turn my hardware knobs and look on my transport
There i can see what controller number get used
Ones i know that number i can draw the changes of filter or vol or whatever
Off course you can also twist buttons and record the moves in midi to give it the real feel for tb 303
But i find automating the whole procedure much easier in use
I bet controllers can also be automated by the sequencer
So if you don't have a midi instrument that has knobs
Then you might want to look at a controller
But if you own hardware like the Roland MC505 or even yamaha CS2X
Then you can already send controller numbers to your sequencer
So then you wouldn't even need a controller. |
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| evo8 |
thanks for all the replies - im not rushing out buying anything, i simply dont have the room for starters (phew!)
I am kind of running out of inputs on my UFX - what do i do then? Its only got 4 stereo analog ins, wonder can i use the XLR inputs on the front with TRS cables???
pic here -> http://www.rme-audio.de/images/prod...face_ufx_2b.jpg
Otherwise i might have to disconnect my jd990, i suppose the jd800 can take over from it anyway..... |
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| Looney4Clooney |
if you sole purpose is more hands on, get the artist control with 2 artist mix units.
my only beef would be the lack of a digital VU meter type display. The mix unit does but it is of no use really because it is 1 colour. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
if you sole purpose is more hands on, get the artist control with 2 artist mix units.
my only beef would be the lack of a digital VU meter type display. The mix unit does but it is of no use really because it is 1 colour. |
I love the artist series and know the guys from Euphonix/Avid, who are really good people, but damn, they are expensive. I love that they use the same fader strips from the larger Euphonix digital consoles (what we use, and is basically now the standard for score mix desks) but two mix units and one control - That's only 20 channels - and you will not get change from $3.5k.
I would get patch bay (neutrik) and a midi control surface, like the behringer BCF units (cheap, work well but the motors are noisy). |
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| Looney4Clooney |
| i only have 10 fingers. ANd i don't even use the mix units. They are just there. I mean not even turned on. But it looks expensive and that makes me feel good. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Looney4Clooney
i only have 10 fingers. ANd i don't even use the mix units. They are just there. I mean not even turned on. But it looks expensive and that makes me feel good. |
Bastard. Give me the mix units. I'll send you pictures of them in a good home. I might even send you pictures of me using them in the buff.
I don't undertand the 10 fingers bit though. You can always automate some, then the others. It's not like the analogue days when you had 4 engineers all doing the faders to make the pass lol. |
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| PassiePassion |
| quote: | Originally posted by evo8
thanks for all the replies - im not rushing out buying anything, i simply dont have the room for starters (phew!)
I am kind of running out of inputs on my UFX - what do i do then? Its only got 4 stereo analog ins, wonder can i use the XLR inputs on the front with TRS cables???
pic here -> http://www.rme-audio.de/images/prod...face_ufx_2b.jpg
Otherwise i might have to disconnect my jd990, i suppose the jd800 can take over from it anyway..... |
If you need more inputs why not add an extra soundcard ?
Thats why i bought the m-audio delta 10-10
If i want i can put 4 of those cards in and have 40 ins and outs
The card i had before Terratec EWS88 MT could also have 4 cards in 1 system.
So you might be able to plug in another card to get more inputs
;) |
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