#353

I have the Soundcraft 12mtk and find it really useful for live performance. I imagine the 16 would be even better. Reliable etc. Only thing is I need a bigger bag/transport for it up from my Mackie 12.

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#354

Mackie 1604VLZ4 or 1642VLZ4, depending on what you need, are still pretty decent mixers for the money. If you want really high quality though, that is durable, great sounding, and can do double duty studio/stage, the Allen & Heath Zed series can’t be beat in their price range.

#355

Are you inputting modular level without using an output module then? Always a bit hesitant to do this, but I only have a stereo output and don’t want to get another one.I actually picked one of these up yesterday as an upgrade to my Steinberg UR22 I’ve used for awhile (it’s fine, but the extra I/O and DC coupling of the M4 will be useful).

#356

I’m finally getting frustrated with my k-mix (audio quality and stability) and am looking for another option. I only really need 4-in/4-out and I don’t really need the mixer interface for my pretty simple set-up right now (largely just built around incorporating norns).

the new motu interfaces look nice and I’m also disappointed that the new ssl interfaces don’t have more channels. also figuring the new ssl stuff means that we’ll see an ssl six with audio interface capabilities soon, which wouldn’t really be in my budget but sounds very nice.

#357

I don’t have any modular anymore, but I do have some devices that output hot signals. I’d say if you have any kind of output with an attenuator, you can send it into the MOTU. Even without, the MOTU can probably take it. However, I don’t have any empirical data to support that. I would suggest putting the stereo out into inputs 3/4 and any other signals through inputs 1/2. I found that even with a hotter signal, I still had to turn up the gain on input 1/2.

#358

For reference, the studio standard of +24dBu is equal to 34.72 volts peak to peak or +/- 17.36V. Since modular can generally never exceed +/-15V peak, if your audio interface is specified to handle +24dBu at the input (professional +4dBu line level usually has this for headroom) it can easily handle full range modular without damage. The euro standard of +19dBu headroom is just shy of +/-10V (peak) so is usually safe too for all but the highest modular levels. And both of them will trivially handle the more typical +/-5V signals.

10 Likes
#359

Hi guys,

I think my audio interface is not grounded properly, because if I use it all my synths give me electric shocks…anyone had that experience?

This being said, I am looking for a mixer which can also be used as an audio interface (individual tracks sent to ableton live) which is also affordable. Is that a dream?

#360

I think the best bet for this at the moment is the Soundcraft Signature 12 and 22 MTK. The former is about $500, which I think is a really fair price for what you get. Tascam and PreSonus have similar models but they’re more expensive.

1 Like
#361

I do individual outs for all my voices straight into the mixer between gain and volume controls I’ve never had a problem and audience always comments on how good my sets sound

#362

just to clarify here, @WhiteNoise - the “soundcraft signature” mixers only have a 2 in / 2 out usb interface (so they wouldn’t work for what you want), but the “soundcraft signature MTK” mixers DO have the ability to multitrack into ableton. very similarly named, kinda confusing.

2 Likes
#363

Is this one ok?

#364

That’s only got stereo USB as @madeofoak said. You’ll be wanting the Signature 12 MTK most likely. But be aware that the input and playback USB levels are very different (for reasons of headroom) so the input levels are not as hot as on some interfaces and will playback much quieter than most workflows are used to. Its a good thing if you understand the engineering implications but requires a significant shift in levels compared to a typical hybrid live/daw workflow.

2 Likes
#365

It’s this one

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#366

Can you elaborate a bit on what you’re not liking with the K-mix? I need 1) 2 aux channels out and 2) small form factor, so it’s attractive to me, but I don’t want to have to replace it soon.

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#367

I use the Allen and Heath ZEDi 10 as my mixer and interface. It gives me four separate tracks over USB and costs about 220 usd.

https://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/zedi-10/

The only issue I have is that I can’t seem to completely mute a track from the mixer when recording. I’m almost certain this is user error, but I can’t figure out how to do it with the level knobs. I get around this either by editing after recording or by passing through a eurorack mixer first.

(Edit: I’m using the ZEDi 10, not the ZED 10)

2 Likes
#368

How can I pass my mic through a loop pedal using my focusrite scarlett 18i8? I understand I cannot plug the mic straight into the loopstation because of impedence

#369

That depends on the pedal. If the mic doesn’t require phantom power you can just get an XLR->jack cable. I think it’s more a question of gain than impedance matching, and the worst that can happen is that it’ll sound bad.

I don’t know the interface, but maybe you can use it as a preamp by enabling some sort of direct monitoring.

#370

Old Blood Noise Endeavors makes a pedal that could be useful for using a mic. It’s called the “MAW” I think. Here’s the link. It may be overkill for your needs, but perhaps it also opens up more options for routing and fx?

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#371

I hit my 16A with modular signals with no issue. Likewise, no issue with noise floor when I have to boost up the output from RIP (which i usually have to add ~6db)

#372

hi all, having been out of the loop for quite while, I am new to the modular world and familiarising myself with current hardware. Planning a small Eurorack drum rack (max 6 outputs) to complement a DAW base (prob Ableton). Will have a couple of semi-modular synths too (taking the total output count to 8), which I’ll use Midi to sequence etc from the DAW. Also use CV Tools or similar for CV modulation. I also have a couple of guitar pedals lying around which could be employed.
This is not a precise recording setup, more of a hands-on jamming, have some fun affair.

Main requirements (If I have understood correctly)

a) Midi out (to go to a Midi hub and then onto semi modular synths, plus any other future Midi compliant purchase)
b) DC-coupled outs for CV into modular rack.
c) Analogue inputs on audio interface with sufficient headroom to accept audio signals from modular gear.

Can’t decide between these (partly as I am not totally sure I have understood/considered all the CV factors):

  1. 828es
  2. 828x
  3. 828mk3
  4. Ultralite MK4 (has the advantage of being smaller, but if I expand the modular rig that would be negated by the need to piggy back an additional suitable interface for sufficient inputs).
  5. a MK1 or MKII 828 (considerably cheaper 2nd hand than anything above).

To get the amount of CV sources with any of these I would need to have an ES-3 (with potential ES-5 expansion later) connected via ADAT from the audio interface OR a second such interface.

FYI, I have bypassed the MOTU 8A as doesn’t have a mic input, which although it is not critical, I think I might use one at some point.

so, a few questions to help me decide…

i) will the mic/line inputs of the 828es/828x/828mk3/Ultralight MK4 be used for the modular gear and/or the semi-modular synths (without attenuation)?
ii) are there likely to be issues when using the ES-3 and the DC-coupled outputs from any of the audio interfaces to send CV gear around the modular drum rack simultaneously?
iii) are there other major considerations I have not mentioned (I know the 828es and UL MK4 come with the newer MOTU mixing/interface software)?
iv) Is there a 16 in /out interface that meets these requirements (and does the job the ES-3 would do too)…the MOTU 16A spec sheet doesn’t state the outputs are DC coupled (though I see the post above says no issues experienced when doing this) and doesn’t have midi (though the latter [and aforementioned midi hub function] could be achieved on a separate midi interface). It’s also very expensive considering I won’t use a lot of the features.

THANKS!
(it’s been a lot of learning, so any comments on this are very welcomed, as I am a bit nervous about spending the cash and finding fundamental flaws in my ‘plans’).