#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’).

#373

I have the 828es, via Thunderbolt, to my Mac. I don’t attenuate any of the signals coming from the modular, (and I also have the Behringer Ultragain for additional inputs). I output various clocks and resets via silent way (but not any LFO like CV at present).

This all works perfectly, and the Thunderbolt option (for now) seems a safeguard against any Mac USB audio issues written about other threads.

#374

hey folks, i’ll keep this short — i’m looking for a DAW-less digital mixing solution with lots of analog stereo I/O (more I than O, 6-8 stereo inputs?). the newer MOTU devices seem like they fit the description of what i’m looking for, but i haven’t read any feedback on ease of use of the digital mixing without a DAW — they support web browsers when the device is hooked up to a WiFi network, which itself is kind of a pain because (according to MOTU support) you can’t plug an iPad directly into the device via USB and get mixer control (not sure if you can plug Ethernet directly into the device and get direct control, MOTU support never got back to me about that).

is MOTU the only brand building these kinds of devices or should i look elsewhere?

#375

The Behringer X18 is nice. I barely use the mixing capabilities on mine since I just use it as an interface for my DAW, but it’s a fully fledged, very capable mixer if you want to use it that way. It can connect to an ipad or computer via wifi or ethernet for control, and it acts as its own wifi router so you don’t have to use an existing network to connect to it. It’s simple to use and their controller app is well designed. And if you ever do want to use it with a DAW in the future, it can stream all 18 inputs in over USB for individual recording.

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#376

RME gear is fantastic for this and even offers MIDI and OSC remote control of the mixing.

Edit: Allen & Heath’s Qu series do this as well (they’re digital mixers, literally, with record and multichannel streaming, along with a variety of remote control options). Check out the Q-Pac and the SB if you don’t want a full desk.

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#377

one thing that complicates this and makes the MOTU appealing is that the primary use would be to mix Eurorack signals — so the input dbu has to take hot signals.

#378

All of the professional grade equipment, such as the two marques I referred to, are capable of handling Eurorack. See my comment here for more details: Mixers and audio interfaces

#379

thanks. just to clarify re: your Eurorack signals going straight into 828es - those are directly from outputs of synth modules etc, not from Eurorack dedicated output modules…?

#380

Good point. Thinking about it, I have some that do; from a QuBit mixology for example, or a Nearness, or the Worng Electronics LRMSMLR; but I also have some of the Ladik passive output modules.

If you’re concerned about this, I’d just stock up on the Ladik. They are really useful to have a fixed point in your system to output from, as opposed to constantly rewiring. So the other modules I mention are always connected into the interface too.

#381

Anyone has experience with Behringer Xenyx series? Thinking about getting affordable mixer that can substitute as audio interface if needed.

#382

You only get left and right channels with Xenyx (you can hard pan for two track recording). They can handle euro, if that’s your use.

I got mine when I had an immediate need for a mixer/interface, but traded up as soon as I had an opportunity.

#383

My past experience with live sound and the B-word has always been negative. High noise floors, cheap construction, fiddly problems. I swore them off then, and that was before they became the unethical pile that they are today. I personally don’t think they’re worth what they cost, especially compared to what you can pick up a Soundcraft, Presonus, or other half-decent marque for. And that goes twice for used, since their build quality has been the absolute bottom of the barrel in my personal experience.

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#384

I don’t know why someone would buy a Behringer mixer when there are countless tales of woe about them all over the internet.
A mixer like a Soundcraft Notepad 12-FX is still very affordable (cheap even!), has Lexicon effects and 4 outputs from the USB. i.e, 4 track simultaneous recording.

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#386

Strange, I always had good experiences with cheap Behringer mixers (Xenyx 802, 502 and 302). They’re like $30-$50 USD on craigslist and still work great. Even after I used them for mixer feedback extensively (the 502 specifically).

Only the 302 can do USB audio out though. Depends what you’re looking for in an audio interface I suppose.

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#387

I’m using an ancient Tapco (by Makie - it proudly boasts) 6306 mixer that must be almost 20 years old. It’s been dumped in bags, garages, and now reinstated into my setup now I’ve ditched the DAW. I love it (except when I hadn’t used it for ages and forgot it needed an AC power supply!!).

Checking eBay suggests these can be had for cheap. I’d recommend if you need something tough and reliable.

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#388

Behringers got better over the years. The one I bought in 2002 was pants (the mute button was more like a 40dB pad on half the channels, lots of bleed etc.), the one I got five years ago is fine. It’s got some noise, sure, but it can pass a signal straight through without much colouration, something the Soundcraft Folio I used to have definitely did not.

I’m really curious about the Zoom L-8 and L-12 right now. It looks like it’s basically a 12 in, 5 stereo out matrix mixer, with a built-in multitrack recording and USB audio interface. On paper it’s pretty crazy, at least.

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