looking for a small mixer to do a/d convert etc..

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:06 am

I think I lost the thread where I asked this.. or maybe it was in my dreams. Anyway, I'm looking to retire my dsp factory sometime soon, and switch to an outboard mixer since that's essentially what I'm using the dsp factory for.

I'm not too sure what the tiny digital mixers are capable of, but I just need something to route my mic (have ext. preamp) into pulsar via adat, and then route the pulsar out to my monitors via analog.

From what I've looked at so far, behringer's b-control looks like it does what I need it to do.. just haven't had any luck with behringer's analog stuff in the past..

It seems like alot of these tiny "digital" mixers are designed to deliver audio to the PC via firewire or usb, through ASIO which will disable scope while recording.. nonsense. So, adat out is essential, but I see that for the mass market, firewire or usb is the easier choice.

Anyhow, I'm wondering how you all have your inputs setup, and how you have your scope outputs going to your monitors.

eliam · Post by **eliam** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:18 am

How many channels do you need? Do you absolutely need a mixer, or just an interface would work? There seems to be a growing number of tiny interfaces with good quality a/d an preamps. The echo line comes to mind...
Take care my friend!

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:34 am

They also have s/pdif which would work with the Pulsar. One thing I learned for sure is that firewire is better than USB but if you are going to use USB, it is much better to use a dedicated USB card with no other devices connected to it rather than the USB on your motherboard.

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:00 am

I basically just need a couple of chanels, at max 4 mono, so I'm don't really need a beast. I'll check out the echo line. thnx.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:38 am

check this out Ken http://www.soundonsound.com/news&NewsID=8275

This has got to be the best value for money interface at the moment imo. Great features for the money from a company who build quality gear. Great choice for laptop users as well. I want one.

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:57 am

It was pointed out to me when I was buying a mic preamp that Focusrite makes great high end gear but their cheap stuff does not sound as good.

eliam · Post by **eliam** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:02 am

I read good things about the yamaha i88x also, seems to be a solid piece of gear. e-mu products seems quite nice for the price.

Post by **garyb** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:05 am

just get a behringer ada8000. who needs a mixer when there's one in scope?

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:53 am

Now that's an interesting question Gary (all things considered) ... but I don't feel like writing a rant about this right now

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:11 pm

gary, that's the thing.. I don't really need a hardcore mixer to actually do any mixing, but the problem with these audio interfaces is that all they do is send audio to scope/pc by one means or the other.. and then I'd need something else to put between my monitors and scope. So I was looking for a mixer that had analog outs to go to my monitors, but also had adat outs that would go to scope. Maybe I should quit trying to route all that through a mixer, and just get 2 devices, 1 for input, and 1 to put between the monitors and scope.

is that mixer? not sure.. I'm pretty sure it's not a conventional audio interface either..

[ This Message was edited by: kensuguro on 2006-10-07 15:13 ]

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:17 pm

I use the Scope Mixer and use the S/PDIF to go to my powered monitors via a MD unit but there are monitors with S/PDIF built in. It sounds great.

When I need inputs, which isn't often. I turn on the Creamware A16 and slave the Scope to it.

arela · Post by **arela** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:00 pm

I connect 4 speakers (poor mans surround - soon 6 i hope)
direct to a Alesis AI-3. I use 3 Micro mixers, controlled by a UC-33e.
Perfect

And the Behringer has pre-amps!

Talking about audio interface and value for the money; i've seen the Yamaha 88i for some $400

Post by **garyb** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:05 pm

i connect the monitors directly to the analog outs. if you want a knob you could use a mackie big knob or the mixer i guess...maybe something like this: http://210.243.85.5/partner/modules/pro ... uct_id=612 about $60-70
or this: http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/MVS-413.html about $100

pm me and i can help you get one cheaply if you want, but the ada800 is a no brainer for i/o at $230 shipped from zzounds or music123 in NYC(8 mic pres, 8 line in, 8 line out balanced with adat lightpipe)

[ This Message was edited by: garyb on 2006-10-07 19:07 ]

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:49 pm

The bottom view of that second link is getting me hot.

Post by **garyb** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:57 pm

yep, no surprises there...

works just fine. gives you the hands-on volume knob you need. you could make one for a few dollars.*edit* $10-20

[ This Message was edited by: garyb on 2006-10-07 20:58 ]

valis · Post by **valis** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:02 am

This looks rather interesting for a dedicated DAW user but is only 2 channels of recording and I suspect will have a street price of around $800 USD: http://www.uaudio.com/products/analog/d ... index.html

Post by **garyb** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:33 am

i'd rather spend that money on the pre itself. i'm sure that thing is great, but it's also kinda gimmicky.

skwawks · Post by **skwawks** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:03 pm

behringer is pretty reliable if you dont knock it around in my experience .What about the alesis 10/2 going in spdif . Its $150 at zzsounds .
Cheers

valis · Post by **valis** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:16 am

That UA is certainly no more gimmicky than any other integrated solution, like the Mindspring Trio. It has the added advantage of decent connectivity even. The Mackie Big-Knob is in use by some here I know, but I personally found it to be rather colored which wouldn't be ideal for monitoring unless you're simply using it to track & not mix.

Certainly not as flexible as separate A/D (which will still be needed to get to 4 channels of input with 1 card), channel strips & monitoring control/mixer, not to mention a myriad of options in between. But I starting going and realized I'd written over 4 large paragraphs going through different price options & configurations, accounting for future potential expansion etc, then realized that it was for someone else, I'm not a salesman & I had work to do, so I only posted up that link since it was the current blog buzz.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:13 am

We monitor directly off a CW card & I'd say that makes the most sense. As for inputs, well there's dozens of options to suit the taste of everyone from people who care about quality to those who don't, from those who want features above & beyond those found on most A/D converters .. to those who don't.

Get inputs to suit your pocket & needs and monitor off your Creamware card.