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Mixer advice
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Feb 9, 2012 04:08:18
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Hi,
i need advice for a good mixer for a home studio. I have Motu audio express soundcard, several hardware synths and don't want to constantly plug them in and out 
I would like to minimize the sound quality loss between the synths and the soundcard. I think 12 analog inputs (6 stereo pairs) for synths would be enough currently. The budget is something like 500 $, if they are needed for the best quality.
Mackie? Soundcraft? Something else?
I have no idea, please help 
  http://soundcloud.com/aedem |
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Suloo
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
Posts :
2822
Posted : Feb 9, 2012 06:56
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You can`t go wrong with that mackie mixers in that pricerange..clear strong and build solid..
dont know about other good ones in that price range wich come close actualy..
cheers
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orange
Fat Data
Started Topics :
154
Posts :
3918
Posted : Feb 9, 2012 09:44
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klippel
Stereofeld
Started Topics :
91
Posts :
1153
Posted : Feb 9, 2012 17:40
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monno
Grapes Of Wrath
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
454
Posted : Feb 9, 2012 20:58
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If all you want is to get rid of some cable clutter might i suggest a patchbay? It seems as though using a mixer for your purpose (straightest line possible) is defeated thoroughly by the addition of a mixer. Apart from the most basic ones, a mixer adds many components between your outboard and your soundcard (Anything but a straight connection can have a perceivable influence on your sound, can be a good thing and a bad thing, but that is very individual).
If however you find yourself wanting some of the other features a mixer provides (besides cable management) Then go ahead in your search.
I personally am enjoying using my patchbay to interconnect gear. It gives me the possibility to use my entire studio as a modular setup. The ease of that would be defeated by a mixer and i would still have to resort to cable changing if i had gone that way.
A high quality patchbay will normally set you back around 500 bux, perhaps a little less if you are an avid ebayer. I got hold of a mint neutrik NPPA-TT-PT bantam panel for 50 euro´s (dirt cheap) spending some time looking around.
Last but not least it depends on your workflow. I use up to 4 stereo inputs on my soundcard via the bay so that´s anything between 4 and 8 synths connected at one time. If i want more than that i am out of luck, so i adapted. I work very sequential and always finish up stuff between sessions, leaving little need for a lot of stuff running from hardware,some of it rather temperamental at that.
Mastering available here:
http://www.bimmelim-soundlabs.com
http://soundcloud.com/onkeldunkel
http://www.myspace.com/onkeldunkelownz
http://www.parvati-records.com |
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Feb 10, 2012 16:46
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monno
Grapes Of Wrath
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
454
Posted : Feb 10, 2012 22:56
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By and large all bantam patchbays are of serious quality. Quality issues are more hit and miss on the ones using 1/4 inch jacks.
Apart from Neutrik i would look for Switchcraft, ADC, Moses & Mitchell.
Apart from the fact that i got mine on the cheap i am also glad that i am able to exchange the patch points one pair at a time, as the contacts wear down with use. Get one that has screw terminals on the back. If you like soldering get one with solder points and if you are a masochist like me, get one with push terminals. It saves a lot of un necessary jacks, but takes a wee bit more setting up to begin with.
Mastering available here:
http://www.bimmelim-soundlabs.com
http://soundcloud.com/onkeldunkel
http://www.myspace.com/onkeldunkelownz
http://www.parvati-records.com |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Feb 11, 2012 16:55
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I would rather patch synths in and out to record them, than use any of them cheap mixers. Actually I would rather patch synths straight in than recording through more expensive (yet still budget mixing desks) like the Soundcraft Spirit Studio 8 Buss and the Mackie 32 Channel 8 Buss.
I had them both and neither added anything to the sound.
Peace out.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 11, 2012 17:46
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some reasons to go for a desk ,if the eq sound better than softwares, this i have no idea ...it could aslo maybe saturate ,tam peak /compress your synth in a nice way when pushed ..doubt it for something new at that price but who know.
you can get odschool very colord desk for that price but i think it s better to use somethingt like this as second desk like a effect , a saturator.. lol |
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Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
Posts :
1477
Posted : Feb 13, 2012 11:18
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Feb 13, 2012 13:20
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I don't actually get one thing:
If i have, say, 4 synths (4 stereo pairs) and 1 stereo input in the audiocard, how do i toggle between synth when recording, using a patchbay?
Can the patchbay mix the sounds? Or mute them? Does it have something like "master output" or whatever?
Feeling dumb today
http://soundcloud.com/aedem |
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Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
Posts :
1477
Posted : Feb 13, 2012 14:44
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a patchbay is not a mixer. you can't change the sound. it has only in- and outputs. there is no master output. all it does is help you make easy and fast connections between your hardware. if you want to mute, change the volume etc. you have to do it with a)the synth b)your soundcard's mixer c)your sequencer.
short answer aka the basics:
at the BACKSIDE of the patchbay are inputs (top row) and outputs (bottom row). connect your synths's outs to the the bay's inputs (fe. inputs 1-8).
your soundcard has 4 inputs and you connect them to the bay's outputs 1-4. now the synths you have in the bay's inputs 1-4 directly go to your soundcard's inputs. if you want to route a synth from inputs 5-8 to the s.card you patch it on the FRONTSIDE of the bay (f.e. plug line 5 to line 1).
some patchbays also offer functions like normal (the above mentioned example), through and halfnormal which give you more options for patching...
long answer:
http://tweakheadz.com/patchbay_setup.html
http://homerecording.com/patchbay.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec99/articles/patchbay.html
"no one ever sweats on a plug-in" -moby |
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Feb 13, 2012 15:27
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Feb 14, 2012 01:41
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Ellon
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
56
Posts :
1223
Posted : Feb 14, 2012 19:07
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