Home Studio Mixers

bammbamm · #1 05-05-2004, 12:33 PM

Hey all, I'm currently running a MOTU based DAW and I've been using a Yamaha Promix 01 which is fine for single source recordings, but I'm thinking of selling it for something with more flexibility. Mainly I want something that will give me at least 8 busses to work with. automation is not essential, I just want to be able to utilize the MOTU's multi tracking ability, as I have a project coming up that I want to record multiple tracks at the same time.

Any suggestions and experience with other mixers would be helpful.

Thanx guys.

Bamm

Kev Brigden · #2 05-05-2004, 07:10 PM

How about the MOTU 24I/O Core System? 24 analogue inputs, with the option of getting the core PCI 428 (??) card which will allow you to connect loads of the things together. You'll probably want to get some sort of control interface tho (depending on your budget of course), unless you like doing all of your mixing with your mouse and keyboard!

bammbamm · #3 05-05-2004, 08:48 PM

Re read my post.
I have a 1224 with the 324 pci interface.
I only need 8 tracks at this point, but I'm looking for an 8 buss mixer to give me the ability to utilize all 8 ins simultaneously.

Bamm

Soup Kitchen Studios · #4 05-06-2004, 03:39 AM

Upgrade your PCI card to the PCI-424. This will give you Cuemix DSP, which provides the ability to monitor all of your inputs with no latency. It's a beautiful thing.

The upgrade is available from the MOTU website.

Soup Kitchen Studios · #5 05-06-2004, 03:42 AM

Or did you need a mixer for the additonal mic pres?

bammbamm · #6 05-06-2004, 10:52 AM

I need to run all 8 channels at the same time. The 01 only has 2 outs effectively. Great for a live situation in a club, but I need more outputs from the mixer to the MOTU interface. (mic pres)
Clear?

I'm eyeballing the Mackie 1642 VLZ Are there any other mixers I should consider?
Bamm

Kev Brigden · #7 05-07-2004, 02:08 PM

hmm,

ok,

so can you not get similar results by plugging directly into the MOTU interface and using a control surface to control the mixing of the program? I can't honestly see the point of putting a mixer in front of something like the MOTU, when it already has a way of controling input level?

What I'm saying is, surely having the additional analogue mixer seems to be adding a needless step?... (which I have just discovered) when all you really need to do is plug all of your feeds into the motu and then just use some sort of control surface (such as the mackie universal) and control the ACTUAL mix from there?

please explain where I've gone wrong here.

bammbamm · #8 05-07-2004, 02:39 PM

So what then, do I use for a mic pre and 48 volt phantom power?
Can I pad and adjust for differences in microphones?
If I were using all line level inputs like synths and drum machines, it would be no problem, but I'm planning on an acoustic project with vocals.

Bamm

Kev Brigden · #9 05-07-2004, 07:22 PM

what about a mic preamp? surely that would be a way to go, and would be cheaper than a full on mixer?

*shrugs*

Just seems to me, that getting another mixer, which has built in preamps would be a bit silly when you are buying it purely for the preamps. At the moment, I'm running a mackie 1402 into an Edirol 2496, I have since learnt that it was a waste of time getting the 1402 because all it does is effecitively control the input level to the PC. The edirol does that anyway, so there's no point in having the mixer really!

I've since learnt that it was a control surface I needed, not a mixer. Unfortunately, Ive had to learn the expensive way.

meh...

frankfalbo · #10 05-07-2004, 09:04 PM

I think it depends on what you want your experience to be. I have enough ins on my breakout box to record 4 tracks simultaneously, and I can slave up to 8 if I use the A/D converters in my Fostex. But when I'm doing a guitar sound (El. or Ac.), I still like to feed all the mics and direct inputs into the mixer to create a final 2 track stereo signal. I don't think it's an extra step per se. Most of our favorite recordings passed first through an analog board.

Just because you "can" use the pc for everything doesn't mean you have to IMHO. Mackie's built in mic pres are an extremely good value considering the quantity of pres he'd need to do a full band. I think its equally as efficient as a controller, and you can't take a controller out to an outdoor gig! I say its better to have a "swiss army knife" board in your arsenal. Even if you just use the pres and inserts to feed the card its a good bargain over outboard pres. Plus the Mackie's EQ is good and useable. If I know I'm going to need a little shaping I prefer to dial it in at the Mackie rather than apply it digitally.

Kev Brigden · #11 05-08-2004, 10:19 AM

ah, I see... now I get where you are all comming from.

bammbamm · #12 05-08-2004, 12:36 PM

Kev, your idea got me thinking about a purely home studio setup, and I could run 8 mic pres, but that would probably get expensive.

I do like the idea of nabbing a control surface just to reclaim some desktop space. I just think that running a mixer might be the most practical, sine as Frank said, you can use it in other situations.

The project I'm doing is recording 3 people, 2 guitars and up to all three voices. I would like to get at least one or two ambiant mics to catch room sound, thusly needing at least 7 or 8 microphones at one time.

So... Anyone wanny buy a minty Yamaho Promix 01?

Bamm

Kev Brigden · #13 05-08-2004, 12:57 PM

Quote:

I do like the idea of nabbing a control surface just to reclaim some desktop space. I just think that running a mixer might be the most practical, sine as Frank said, you can use it in other situations.

aaaah good call, I didnt realise you were after that flexibity ya see... then again, if you were to go the first route:

Quote:

purely home studio setup, and I could run 8 mic pres, but that would probably get expensive.

surely there are mic preamps that have 8 I/O's on em? then you would need only one of em? perhaps expanding to two if needed?

Then again, if you're after flexibilty, then I guess your method of getting the 1604 would work. Just that it would have no control over the PC, which was where I made my mistake. ah well... good luck to ya dude.

bammbamm · #14 05-11-2004, 02:48 PM

So what Mic Pre's are good and affordable?
I don't mind buying used since I'll get more for my dollar obviously.
I've only used the ART Tube MP, any others that are worth checking out?\

Bamm

JESTER700 · #15 05-11-2004, 03:34 PM

There are pre-only units from Presonus, Aardvark, and others. But they're in the same price range as a Mackie, A&H, or Soundcraft board ($800-1000), and obviously have less flexibility as an auxiliary unit. I doubt there would be much difference in sound at this level. There are fewer parts in the pre-onlies, but the economies of scale favor the mixers. And those mixers' pres sound pretty good, IMO.

So, if you KNOW you'll never use the mixer part, fine. But if it were me, I'd get a mixer.