Mixers and audio interfaces

anon60283851 · 2023-11-22T07:55:24.121Z

To be honest, I’d be happy with the stereo USB I/O functionality as I already have Push Standalone for interfacing duties… More intrigued of the extensive suite of Boss stompbox effects and so on in the same package, otherwise I think it might just make sense to get a tiny analogue mixer and some separate FX (which might be the sane option here).

But! For someone with need for class compliant multichannel iOS interface + mixer like @soysos was looking for, Model 12 ought to be a good pick though?

Lightbreaker · 2023-11-22T09:04:13.534Z

Thanks for your insights! I did consider the Mackie 1604 initially, and I would actually prefer having all inputs and outputs on the back of the mixer because everything will be routed via a dedicated Patchbay. But unfortunately, the Mackie devices only have 8 direct outs for the 16 channels.

@rvense Great to hear from someone already rocking a MixWizard! It’s crazy how configurable that thing is in regards to signal flow. Each channel can be individually configured whether the direct outs and sends should output their signal pre fader, post eq or post fader. That’s why I was so intrigued by it.

anon60283851 · 2023-11-22T09:21:41.652Z

FWIW Not to persuade you to that direction as the MixWizards seem like an obvious way to go, but Mackie 1642 has two stereo subgroups that you could also use for “direct outs” for some of the stereo channels, or do two separate submixes to record as individual parts.

murray · 2023-11-22T12:14:39.271Z

as an option, you may also want to consider the soundcraft gb2r 16. very similar functionality to the mixwizard and shares the post-fader direct outs on 16 channels. afaik the sound quality is similar to allen and heath too. i lean towards the soundcraft because i own one and have been really happy with it.

Voiron27 · 2023-11-22T14:52:50.914Z

@anon60283851 hit the nail on the head for my use case. I use the pan pots to isolate channels and use the groups & main as 6 individual channels out. There’s also the slightly larger 1604 if you prefer a rear facing patchbay (I think it has overall attenuation for aux 3 & 4). You can always half plug into an insert for a direct out too.

I had a Mixward 20S before this so I’m not trying to talk you out the A&H. Just to give you options, especially since the Mackies can often be found for a good price used.

kujoe · 2023-11-22T17:35:01.184Z

Hi @Lightbreaker. I like my soundcraft fx16ii a lot. I got mine used for $500 a few years ago.

To this big mixer, I send 4 - 6 individual outs from my modular with patch cables that are 1/8” to 1/4”. I started doing this when I learned from this post that I can send modules straight into the mixer. (This was a nice insight for me since I was already wanting to downsize from a 7U 84HP case to only a 3U 84HP skiff with no dedicated out modules.)

On this mixer, I also use 2 of the 3 aux outs and send them to 2 pedals, then the pedal stereo outs go into 4 individual mixer channels rather than the mixer stereo returns. As a bonus, I use the mixer’s sub mix out to go into an octatrack.

Last, I use 8 out of 16 mixer direct outs and go into an 8 channel audio interface (apogee element 88) which then connects to my mac mini into Live.

jsilence · 2023-11-23T05:19:40.529Z

Thanks @anon60283851 for the heads up. Expecting delivery today. Will attempt to verify this with AUM and report back.

anon60283851 · 2023-11-23T06:59:19.580Z

Interested in any observations you might have (both standalone, with a computer and iOS device). Still considering one before the discount ends.

jsilence · 2023-11-23T09:53:36.714Z

Will test ASAP.

I think this is a low risk purchase while discounted. You will be able to sell at least at the same price on the used market some time later. Maybe even make a small margin. Normal retail price is around 600.

anon60283851 · 2023-11-23T10:31:16.855Z

Yeah, I just ordered one as well, realizing the same thing. (It’s possible the prices are going to drop for good and that one will be the new normal if Boss isn’t selling enough of them at current price - but at least for now everyone else still sells those for 600-700 EUR so it’s an actual Thomann special deal.)

Full disclosure: sold my old “big” fancy audio interface because it was complete overkill for me at the moment, needed something smaller and cheaper between the instruments and monitors because currently the monitors are unconnected / hard to use for the lack of any kind of signal router at home. Could have settled for a tiny Mackie / A&H but this looks more fun and has faders as well.

I think a box containing a Boss Tera Echo and AIRD amp models, that also happens to have a mixer + preamps built in is going to be worth the discount price to me already. Recording, audio interface etc. are a big plus if they work without major woes as expected. A lot of my recording these days consists of storing a lot of short loop sketches for later use / listening, and the ability to run the looper pedal directly to the guitar channel, configure a full GT-1000 like guitar effects signal path, and then store the result at a push of a button sounds exactly like what I want. (As a plus I can always use the headphone cue to sample stuff to my samplers I suppose)

soysos · 2023-11-26T18:11:50.449Z

Still no-one here using a Presonus 1810c and an iPad that can confirm the same issues I’m having or has found a workaround?

k473 · 2023-11-27T20:07:20.189Z

it is possibly an extensively explored subject, but it seems i still could use some advice. my goal is to set up a portable rig with a norns shield xl and an ipad (using aum, samplr, silo, etc.) primarily for live sound processing, sampling, and recording sessions on the ipad via aum.

i plan to use live acoustic instruments/sounds and/or pre-recorded material as sound sources. additionally, i aim to incorporate a korg nts-1 as an effects unit for the shield xl, potentially as a midi-controlled synthesizer. ideally, i’d like separate recordings for each source—physical or digital (microphone(s), shield xl, nts-1, and anything used in aum during the session in separate channels).

would a focusrite scarlett 6i6 or 8i6 be suitable for this concept or are there any shortcomings i might have overlooked. i’ve come across the iconnect audio4+/4c on forums, but i’m unsure if it works well (some reports mention sound quality issues), and i’m unsure about the routing complexity compared to physical connections. i’d appreciate any opinions or alternative recommendations.

i acknowledge there’s a chance i may have misunderstood key concepts and information in this thread, and i apologize for any confusion.

monopole · 2023-11-27T20:33:57.257Z

Any class compliant audio interface with enough I/O and instrument preamps (for anything acoustic) should do the job.
Just be sure how many independent inputs and how many sends + main outputs you’d need. By what you describe Motu Ultralite mk4 or mk5 would be very good choice, plenty I/O in a very compact form factor.

Looks 6i8 would give you 2 instrument/mic pres (acoustic instrument + mic) + 4 line in (stereo norns + stereo nts-1) and one stereo line out for main line + another stereo out for nst-1. It looks good as far as you don’t change anything on the setup, future-proof would probably be the Ultralite. Check used market.

k473 · 2023-11-27T21:10:07.179Z

@monopole thank you very much for this suggestion! the ultralite seems to be a definitely good choice, but at this stage, i am exploring more ‘cost-effective’ solutions as i try to map out a route. however, i will keep my eyes open in case something else comes up.

also, i don’t know if this is off-topic, but any suggestion for a portable power supply — with a battery or not — for the entire rig (ipad, shield xl, nts-1, audio interface) would also be very helpful.

mzero · 2023-11-27T21:50:46.606Z

Perhaps what you’d like is a 1010music Bluebox. It isn’t an audio interface… but it is a small multi-channel digital mixer that will also record each channel independently. And it has one FX loop you can put the nts-1 on. I use one in my live performance set up.

The only downside for me is that the output is non-balanced. In a short studio run, that’s fine… but in live performance, where the run to the house audio can be long, and the electrical environment “interesting”… I run the output to another box that has balanced outs. (In my case that box happens to be a MOTU Ultralite AVB, because I had it for other reasons… but it could be something much simpler.)

monopole · 2023-11-27T22:14:44.125Z

mzero:

1010music Bluebox

It doesn’t have intrument/mic preamps and they have stated that want to use iPad as processor, sound source and mixer, you’d need to have an additional interface only for iPad. I think it’s not a good choice.

I have a Ultralite AVB too, OP can consider that as well. It’s a very solid interface, I found it used well under 400€.

On the cost-effective side of things, you can’t beat Behringer UMC1820 on I/O for the price. It goes very cheap used and gives you a bit more I/O than the scarlett choices. It’s not that compact, and not the best preamps on it.

k473:

portable power supply

Ideally, separated PSUs would be best. The route I’d take is to have a USB hub connected to iPad, with PD input (UNI USB-C 8 in 1 for example, very reliable) and a beefy PSU (if you happen to have a Mac PSU that’s a good option). Then connect the interface (externally powered is better), Norns (externally powered could avoid noises), NTS-1 (same) and even MIDI controllers if you want. You’ll keep iPad alive and feed the rest as well, however it may add hum. In that case you could also try something like this Hum Protector.

awdwon · 2023-11-28T00:11:35.436Z

Oddly enough I was just reading today that there’s a relatively new beta firmware for the Bluebox that turns it into an audio interface, and I believe you can also do that with the new eurorack version.

rebderless · 2023-11-28T01:02:03.146Z

It’s only stereo, but looks super useful once they get the bugs ironed out

https://forum.1010music.com/forum/product-downloads/bluebox-firmware-downloads/46446-bluebox-1-2-21-beta-version

tmoore · 2023-11-29T06:56:49.315Z

Any thoughts about or experiences with the new Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig? While not the cheapest interface around, it’s also far from the most expensive and seems pretty ideal for an electronic musician who doesn’t use many mics or hi-Z instruments. I’m pretty close to buying one while the sales are still on so I can have all of my gear hooked up and ready to record without re-patching.

mdoudoroff · 2023-11-29T16:44:20.667Z

It seems pretty well thought through and Loopop has a video on it that I presume you’ve already found. The ADAT support is a plus in my book. The devil is always in the details with these devices—can you identify any foreseeable ways this particular one will frustrate your setup or process?