Computer based/analog mixer studio

[Rick Nolletti]

Actually, I have 2 concerns/questions:

1. Due to a vast amount of hardware I've accumulated over the years playing live music, I intend to set up a computer based/analog mixer studio. I currently own a Mackie 24x4 that I use for my video production company; however, I was considering to buy a Behringer Eurodesk MX 9000 board. Are the pre's on the Eurodesk inferior, superior or a neglible difference to the Mackie's?
I'm trying to weigh whether or not it's worth investing in the 8 bus Behringer.

2. It's also my intention to go with Cubase software. I checked out the Sound Wizard and I was thinking about the TC's Konnect 24D or the Presonus firestudio. Any suggestions, insights, or preferences would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Baron]

I think that this is in the wrong forum but what the heck

Originally Posted by Rick Nolletti

Actually, I have 2 concerns/questions:

1. Due to a vast amount of hardware I've accumulated over the years playing live music, I intend to set up a computer based/analog mixer studio. I currently own a Mackie 24x4 that I use for my video production company; however, I was considering to buy a Behringer Eurodesk MX 9000 board. Are the pre's on the Eurodesk inferior, superior or a neglible difference to the Mackie's?
I'm trying to weigh whether or not it's worth investing in the 8 bus Behringer.

The pre's on the MX9000 are fairly transparent but crack up badly when you hit the rails. Similar to a digital desk. This is not an issue if you keep your levels under control.

Mackie vs. MX9000?
Some would say Mackie, some would say MX9000. (Some would say that the MX8000 is just a blatant copy of the Mackie 8 bus and the MX9000 is just a revised version of the MX8000). Pro guys would say neither

Why do you feel you need a board?

Most people just go straight to their pre's, in their interface/soundcard, and use the mixer in the DAW. You can get interfaces with direct monitoring or you can output from your card. This is the preferred and far cleaner method.

Everything you put in the line adds noise and color. This might be unperceivable, at first, but it all adds up.

Baron

[brandondrury]

Why do you feel you need a board?

I too would like to know this.

Brandon

[alexp]

I have a board too for a couple reasons.


1) tactile response. I love the fact that I can look out over 24 channels of raw analogue, and know that at any time, I can grab a fader, or a knob that only does one thing (none of this assigning 30 functions to 1 knob crap), and I get instant gratification.

2) I have yet to hear of anyone making a classic mid 80s Allen&Heath eq you want fat? Nuff said.

3)if you have enough equipment, having a board still makes sense. I am running something close to 17 synths, samplers and drum machines. Of that, 2 of the samplers are running 8 outputs each so my rig tends to eat a lot of inputs really fast. Add to that outboard effects, compressors, pre's all that and suddenly a board seems like a great idea.

Im not knocking the software boys one bit, but for me, its just not happening.


My 2 cents.

[Baron]

Originally Posted by alexp

I have a board too for a couple reasons.
Im not knocking the software boys one bit, but for me, its just not happening.

My 2 cents.

Hi Alex

Please don't misunderstand my question and statements regarding the use of a board. I use a digital desk then go via ADAT lightpipe into my DAW.

The reason I'm questioning the OP is because the desire to use an analogue board might, in a lot of cases, be simply due to patterns of past methodologies but, not actually necessary for this new application.

Baron

[alexp]

Sorry! I didnt mean to come across as a completely militant analogue board user! Honest! Thats not how I intended it to come across. I was just stating a case where it may be a situation in which a big analogue board is better.

My bad if it came across as snarky. Wasnt meant to!

Alex

[Baron]

Originally Posted by alexp

My bad if it came across as snarky. Wasnt meant to!

Alex

Not at all...... I was just letting you know that I'm not against any setup style and I actually wish I had the room, and need, to run a large frame console in my studio. I spent years behind these and feel more at home that way.

It used to impress the hell out of customers when they saw all those knobs, on the console, and all the flashing lights on the outboard gear.............Aahh! Those were the days

My little console, which is no bigger than the average Karaoke setup, running into a computer, just does not have the same impact on the client. I actually think that maybe we have lost a certain amount of respect and admiration, which the earlier systems seemed to bestow on us.

Baron

[brandondrury]

24 channels of raw analogue,

RAW?? What is this, wrestling? There is nothing "RAW" about an analog console. There is no need to hype it in this way.

So are you planning on mixing out of the box? If so, neither the TC's Konnect 24D or the Presonus firestudio have enough outputs for this. (They may have an ADAT setup that will get you more outputs, but probably not 24).

none of this assigning 30 functions to 1 knob crap

Software doesn't work this way. This is exclusive with the standalone boxes, which I'm not a big fan of for that reason.

2) I have yet to hear of anyone making a classic mid 80s Allen&Heath eq you want fat? Nuff said.

Well, you aren't buying an Allen and Heath board. You are talking about Mackie and Berhinger. I'd love to be mixing on an Neve or API desk, myself when it comes down to EQ and feel. However, when it comes down to price, it's gonna be in the box for me for a long time.

3)if you have enough equipment, having a board still makes sense. I am running something close to 17 synths, samplers and drum machines. Of that, 2 of the samplers are running 8 outputs each so my rig tends to eat a lot of inputs really fast. Add to that outboard effects, compressors, pre's all that and suddenly a board seems like a great idea.

I can't argue with that.

The reason I'm questioning the OP is because the desire to use an analogue board might, in a lot of cases, be simply due to patterns of past methodologies but, not actually necessary for this new application.

Wow! Thomas Jefferson couldn't have said it better...but Mark Twain or Yogi Bera probably could have.

Sorry! I didnt mean to come across as a completely militant analogue board user! Honest! Thats not how I intended it to come across. I was just stating a case where it may be a situation in which a big analogue board is better.

I didn't get that vibe. Don't apologize. If I want an apology forum, I would have started the Dr. Phil sensitivity forum. This is recording!

I was getting the "he may think he needs a big board, but really might not" vibe. It sounds like you may need a board for all your MIDI hardware.

So are you going to mix some in the box and some on the console?

Brandon

[alexp]

Brandon, are you getting the posts confused?


I am not looking for a Mackie or Behringer, Rick is. I already own an A&H board, and was giving that as one of my reasons for owning a board (I love it). All the synths are mine as well...... Although I'm sure Rick has a few as well


Alex

[brandondrury]

Brandon, are you getting the posts confused?

Oops. I appears that I am.

Brandon