#223

It works!!!

Many thanks.

1 Like
#224

Awesome !!!
Glad I could help you hold onto your interface :smile:

#225

hey,
im looking for interfaces that are able to record without the need of a computer
so
i want to have a session and record it (for example to an usb stick) and turn on the computer later
to be able to rework the material

thankful for any ideas

#226

Just want to add some praise for the conversion and routing flexibility of the MOTU AVB line. I’m using a 1248 and 16A and the converters are excellent. The onboard mixer’s EQ’s and DSP are really nice additions as well.

I’ve had an original 828, and a pair of 828mkII’s over the years and can certainly say they’ve come a long way.

#227

Also jumping in on the MOTU praise. I got an Ultralite MK4 recently on the recommendation (among other places) this forum and for the most part it’s been an excellent experience. It has connected my hardware and software in a way that wasn’t possible before, allowing me to multitrack capture hardware performances while ignoring or heavily involving the laptop. It also (with no plugging/unpluggins/setup/mode change) mixes/routes/monitors my hardware with the laptop off when I don’t feel like recording, which was a breakthrough for me. I imagine it will serve me well for a number of years considering it’s also expandable. I would still love an ultra-compact, ultra flexible many input/output mixer/interface with more hands on controls available, but until something comes along that ticks all those boxes (something like a very refined K-mix with a small screen and a bunch of assignable knobs/faders) I’ll be happy with the Ultralite.

1 Like
#228

One thing to keep in mind, if you run enough channels you’ll saturate usb2 I believe. I’m seeing channels drop out on me from a motu 16a + ultralite over avb + an es-8 over adat linked together. Delivery of a thunderbolt cable should be here today or tomorrow to solve this.

#229

Why and interface and not a recorder? Or maybe something like a Mixpre from Sound Devices which is a recorder with an interface.

#230

I’m using a 16n faderbank and a midifighter twister with my motu setup for the hands-on life. Also an ableton default session with everything already set to a channel. Basically i’ve just replicated my old mackie mixer in software.

2 Likes
#231

Hi guys,

I very much appreciate all your inputs to this topic but, going back to the original reason why I created this topic, I still don’t know if I need a mixer or not.
In the meanwhile my setup has grown and I have a full modular system together with my semimodulars.

I would to hear from those of you who do have a mixer and how they use it. Thanks a lot

#232

I think I mentioned this upthread but I used to have a mixer and now do not but will likely buy a small one to play shows with. Although my recording process rarely uses more than a stereo pair of inputs at once, I found that it was fiddly and annoying to be running inputs through and outputs from my laptop through a physical mixer for monitoring and recording. By contrast, being able to keep everything plugged in at once to my interface is Real Nice.

That said, the mixer I would like to buy for shows would 1) act as a gain stager between my modular and Norns, 2) allow me to sample my bandmate’s audio or another input, and 3) provide a cleaner interaction with front-of-house, especially for my modular.

#233

When you make your choice please let us know what you choose.

1 Like
#234

I use a Motu 16A as my audio interface and an old Mackie 1604 mixer for signal conditioning.
What I look for in a mixer is at least 8 direct outs (post fader outputs)–this allows me to spontaneously attenuate/equalize audio as I improvise/perform.

I’ve been experimenting with writing basic digital modules that I assign to my interface’s physical ins/outs that are accessed through a patchbay–basically an emulated modular synth that lives next to the sampler/sequencer in my computer and works with my outboard gear (modular synth, effects, piano, keyboard synth, etc). In this workflow I’ve been using my mixer a lot.

Also unfortunately these mixers tend to be big, but I’m already finding 8 direct outs to be limiting so I’m casually side-eyeing a Soundcraft GB2R 16 that has 16 direct outs.

1 Like
#235

Do we have a recording/process/technical thread going? I seem to remember we do. Maybe this is the thread I remember?

#236

Maybe this thread is the one your thinking of?

#237

That might be what I was thinking of but not what I had in mind… if that makes sense :slight_smile:. Was thinking we had something going focused more on the overall recording process from a technical/process viewpoint, not just the end stages.

1 Like
#238

what are the reasons to prefer the avb line over older motu devices?
i really dont need the computer interface special multi connection things since the only thing im doing with the comp is cutting out some parts i dont like so much
and even if im jamming with 2friends we dont need more than 8 inputs (or could submix with djmixers)
are the converters in the avb much better?

at the moment im torn between some kind of motu (but i dont get wich of them got the recording without a computer function)
and a used rme ufx … (wich might be overkill but certainly soundqualitywise supersolid)

iwould love to just use a little recorder but i feel like they cant compete with high quality audio converters in good interfaces
or maybe i just havent tested the right ones jet

#239

I have 3 mixers. One is a tiny Behringer with 4 ins/1 out, and was purchased recently as a stopgap to mix a number of mono inputs from various pedals (my improv rig). I will likely keep it but plan to replace it with a Rolls Stereo Mini Mixer VI because that one has a separate headphone output (for monitoring practice, or recording live sets). No EQ, no faders, just 4 knobs. Sounds acceptable if I can gain stage to keep the levels below 5. Smaller footprint than any of my pedals. $25.

Second is a Mackie VLZ3 with 2 mic/inst pres with EQ, and a stereo in. It’s large for what it does (1 ft * 8 in footprint). I appreciate that it lets me use mics when I’m doing improv, so it might become my “acoustic” mixer for when I do live voice and contact mic stuff. It was $100.

Third is a Soundcraft EPM 6. 2 auxs, 6 pres, 3 band parametric EQ with adjustable mids. I bought this mixer to cover all my bases, and to be a small studio centerpiece. I can mix small shows on it, friends can come over and plug in for jams, and the routing is just advanced enough for what I need. I love it, it’s my dear, I won’t part with it. But it’s too big (for me) to tour with. I think I paid $175 new as a crazy deal on eBay.

To speak to your original post, whether I use a mixer or not for recording is dictated by my post-production needs. Do I want to edit/mix after? My interface (Motu Ultralight) only has 2 pres. So if I want to mix each channel/voice, I need a mixer to add more chans of pre so I can record each channel separately.
If I don’t want to bother with editing and I want to treat it like a live performance, I put all my inputs into a mixer, then into the interface. 2 chans, easy peasy.

Given what you’ve mentioned, I would find a mixer with individual direct outs for each channel. Plug each direct out into a line in on a multi-channel interface. That way all channels are line level at the interface, you get tactile control, and you can mix after.

EDIT: You only need pres for things that are quieter than line level - mics and guitars, etc. Synths are generally line level output, so you don’t need a mixer for them, only if you want to do live fades and EQ/fx adjustments on it. If all you’re doing is recording synths, you can skip the mixer and go straight for an interface with line ins. I highly recommend the Ultralight, my Mk3 has weird digital i/o problems but otherwise it’s amazing.

1 Like
#240

They don’t. If you want to record separate channels without a computer I guess you’ll need a dedicated multichannel field recorder.

#241

I’ve got that mixer (“refurbished” on Amazon) and it was very disappointing. First surprise was an overdrive effect on headphone output. I’ve diagnosed bad potentiometer, replaced it and it fixed the headphone out. But then it became apparent that the thing is very noisy. It’s got lots of both white noise and ground hum. Replacing power supply and using a DI box didn’t help it.
Amazon reviews suggest I’m not the only one unhappy with Rolls mixer.
I should probably make that potentiometer bad again and just use the mixer as an overdrive effect, that might be the only good use of it.

1 Like
#242

Has anyone here used the Arturia Audiofuse interface? There’s a couple of things that looks interesting on it, for example the very accessible mix button for direct monitoring and the re-amp outputs.

Its not cheap, but you get a lot of IO, and then it’s small.