#511606 - 03/31/04 02:05 PM
Mixer opinions
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Anim8
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Registered: 03/23/04
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I'm in the process of building my studio and I would like to get a few opinions on mixer options.
I mostly record local rock/garage bands, and all of the audio stuff for my multimedia projects.
I have been weighing the pros and cons of a mackie 32-8 with a motu 24io versus a mackie d8b.
I will be buying used so I am looking at around $3k for the mixer and digital I/O either way.
My questions are:
Will I have the same routing options to patch bays, monitors, headphone mixes, inserts, etc on the D8B?
I'm used to an analog mixer, but the moving faders/mix recall is calling to me.
Pros and cons?
Which would be better?
Is there another alternative around the same price?
BTW, this will be based around Nuendo not Protools.
Thanks in advance.
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#511607 - 03/31/04 05:00 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Philip O'Keefe
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I'd consider something other than those Mackie boards... the analog board isn't going to give you the recall you want, and the D8B is getting long in the tooth and doesn't support 96 KHz.
I'd give the Yamaha 01V96 a serious look. It has 40 channels, supports 96 KHz, supports various analog and digital I/O (comes with an 8 channel ADAT lightpipe interface standard), has Nuendo remote control support built in and very nice sonics.
I use mine with Pro Tools and have been very happy with it.
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#511608 - 03/31/04 05:18 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Henchman
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I was going to suggest the same thing.
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#511609 - 03/31/04 05:23 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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What prompted me to get rid of my console was the fact that I was recording and editing mostly in the computer, and realised that the vast majority of my time was spent listening to all of the audio routed to 2 track playback, and most of the knobs on the console were unused. I was doing my final mixing in the box, too.
When audio card makers started offering mixer apps with their cards (like the excellent TotalMix from RME for their HDSP card series) I was able to dump the console completely, after a short but dissapointing foray into owing a digital console.
What bam I getting at?
With any modern DAW and audio card, you can send multiple mixes anywhere you need to from within the computer. With a control surface like those from MotorMix, Mackie, JL Cooper, or Tascam, you can handle the mixing chores.
So you really need converters and mic pres, (and there are a bunch of 8 channel mic pres out there) and possibly a headphone amp. Can you do this for $3k? I don't know. But it is worth considering, given the space one recovers by losing the console and the ergonomic advantages. (you no longer have to base everything around the console footprint.)
Bill
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#511610 - 03/31/04 06:32 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Henchman
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damn double post
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IMDB Credit list President George Washington: "The government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian Religion." President Abraham Lincoln: "The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my religion."
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#511611 - 03/31/04 06:39 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Philip O'Keefe
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One of the nice things about the Yamaha is that you get a mixing console, control surface, four onboard effects processors, EQ's, comp / limiters AND gates on every channel, converters, etc. etc. - all in one package.
Of course, you can make a case for having everything seperate, which makes it easier to upgrade part of the system without having to do everything at once. And of course, it IS possible to mix entirely in the box and use outboard preamps and converters... lots of ways you can go. But since he specifically asked for board recommendations, I thought the Yamaha was a appropriate suggestion, especially since it does have a DAW control layer with 16 faders worth of Nuendo control built in.
YMMV.
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#511612 - 03/31/04 08:35 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Chuck Moore
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OK, how 'bout something completely different. I have a Nuendo based setup, and do most of the mixing in the box, but i have a console for input routing and pres, but also for soma analog flavor on the way in. The Mackie isn't gonna get you this, as it doesn't have a lot of flavor of its own, but a small British console will. I use a Soundcraft board, but an Allen and Heath, Amek, or any of several others will work fine for that. With a few nice clean outboard pres, and I have the option of going direct into the computer if I don't wan't that sound, or bussing through the console if i do. Add to that headphone mixing, talkback, etc., and it becomes pretty usefull even if you don't "mix" on it.
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#511613 - 03/31/04 11:32 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Anim8
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Yea I'm kinda dependent on the analog functions for routing things where I need them. I'm looking at the analog mixer with a converter solution... Then maybe a control surface...
Plus I want something that will last a while. I think that the digital route will be outdated about the same time I really get what I want out of it.
I need the maximum number of in and outs for the cash. I'm open for suggestions on this and a 24+ channel mixer.
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#511614 - 03/31/04 11:46 PM
Re: Mixer opinions
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where02190
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I personally much prefer the analog console and hardware outboards to plugins, with few exceptions. I also liek the hands on abilities of a console over a control surface (unless it costs way more than I can afford and has more than 8 faders). we have a Soundtracs SoloLogic 24x8x24 with VCA and mute automation, and combined with a Mackie HDR 24/96 Pro and a Digidesign 001 (with Apogee spdif i/o) which gives us the best of both the analog and digital worlds.
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Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording.
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#511615 - 04/01/04 12:37 AM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Originally posted by Philip O'Keefe:
One of the nice things about the Yamaha is that you get a mixing console, control surface, four onboard effects processors, EQ's, comp / limiters AND gates on every channel, converters, etc. etc. - all in one package.
I helped assemble Phil Lesh's touring rig for UltraSound, and I was fortunate to have a lot of time to spend with Don Pearson. I respect Don a great deal and I learned a lot in a short time period. He had very positive comments on the DM 2000, and recommended it. (This surprised me, as UltraSound is still using old Gamble consoles... wonderful beasts that most young engineers wouldn't understand but at which old farts like me feel right at home.) It's hard to argue with Don, but I'd really have to spend some serious time with any digital console before I could be convinced to buy another one.
You've pointed out the shortfalls, and we've talked about them before. But unless you've experienced that situation of having a nearly empty space in front of you... well, it's really very nice.
I'm putting together another room just for mastering, and there will be no desk, just a couch and a coffee table, with a laptop between you and the Dunlavys. (Which were delivered today! Yay!! In six months after the construction is done, I'll get to hear them...)
Bill
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"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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#511616 - 04/01/04 01:19 AM
Re: Mixer opinions
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Tedly Nightshade
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You could get some nice A/D/As or nice pres, but you're really going to have to scrape the bottom for several channels of each, all for $3000. That's kind of tough... you really don't want to skimp on any of that stuff. You can buy lotsa features, but getting real built-to-last great sounding stuff, is gonna be a stretch.
Choose wisely, Luke.
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