Calipso
Family Friend
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Location: N.Ireland |
| Advice on a simple DAW setup |
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This may sound like a dumb question, but I really am not to sure how this works.
I currently run Pro Tools LE 6.9 with the MBox. What I want is to have more inputs (so i can start recording drums etc, and bands) So what is the best thing to do? Mixer or pre-amp?
Take a Mackie Onyx 1620 Mixer for example. How exactly would i be able to connect this with my Pro Tools Mbox? Its an analogue desk, so how would it go into Pro Tools? Thats where i got lost :S And what effect would faders etc on that, effect whats on Pro Tools?
Or would it be better to just get a Preamp, with say 8 inputs for example, and then just mix with pro tools?
Maybe someone could explain how the mixer thing works please.
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Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:00 am |
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Calipso
Family Friend
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Location: N.Ireland |
Well i been looking and researching about this eslewhere. This is what i got so far.
I would need a new sound card that has multiple inputs. I want to keep pro tools so im thinking, the m-audio firewire 1814. It has 8 inputs, and then get a mixer with 8 xlr inputs and direct outs on each channel and run into the 1814. Is this correct? So i could have multri-track recordin into pro tools (8tracks) The firewiere device apparently works with pro tools. I was wondering, i have 6.9 LE, would this work, or would you have to get a new version of pro tools? because i already have an mbox with pro tools.
For the mixer i have been lookin around. IS the soundcraft FX8 mixer anygood? The pre-amps in it, are they any good? What other 8input/8direct out mixers are there that i could go for which are any good? ~Thing with the FX8 is it could then be used for live sound, which good be handy, cuz i am hoping to venture into that realm soon (to earn some cash!) |
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Sat Oct 15, 2005 5:23 pm |
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stix
Assisstant
Joined: 24 Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Frankfort Ky |
I think I know this one....First what do you need so many inputs for? Band stuff? If so I think the cheapest way to go about this would be to get a preamp with 6+ channels. But if you wanna get a mixer you can also do it that way. Just get a simple analog mixer. let me get a link. Something like this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/631229/
First thing. Have your intruments going in the mixer inputs. Then have the outputs of the mixer go into the m-box. That pretty much will take care of it.
So it wil pretty much be like this. Instruments>>>>soundboard>>>>m-box>>>pc.
When you run the mixer to the m-box you will need to get rca to 1/4 jack. I think thats right. Not sure on the 1/4 part but pretty much the thick ends. Then when you load protools you just put your input button on instr insted on mic. And it should run fine. Let me know if this helps you out. And if you have any other ideas share em or andy questions about what I am talk'n about. |
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Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:58 pm |
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Calipso
Family Friend
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Location: N.Ireland |
The MBox only has two inputs, which is why im lookin into other sound cards. the firewire 1814, does look one of the best options, unless aynone knows of other better ones?
I quite like the idea of the mixer, because then i could use it for live sound at small local gigs. but yeh I was thinking of just gettin pre-amps. Could anyone recommend some, at a reasonable price!? Rememeber im lookin for around 8 channels of multi-track recording.
Cheers |
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Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:04 pm |
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stix
Assisstant
Joined: 24 Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Frankfort Ky |
quote:
Originally posted by Calipso
The MBox only has two inputs, which is why im lookin into other sound cards.
That is why you hook the mixer up to it. And have everything run in the mixer out the mixer into your m-box. And you just hook up the mixers output (Left Right) into the m-box. Then boom you have a mixer with however many channels you get now hooked up with pro tools. |
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Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:35 am |
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Calipso
Family Friend
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Location: N.Ireland |
No. You will only have 2 tracks in pro tools then. Ie a stereo mix, solely relying on ur settings on ur mixer. So if you record it, it will be whats settings on the mixer.
I want to multi track record (at least 8 ) so i can edit/mix etc with more than just the stereo track. |
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Sun Oct 16, 2005 9:45 pm |
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stix
Assisstant
Joined: 24 Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Frankfort Ky |
I must not understand what you mean then. I don't see how a mixer with 8+ channels is any diffrent then a amp with same amout of channels. |
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Mon Oct 17, 2005 1:23 am |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| Good idea.. |
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quote:
Originally posted by Calipso
I would need a new sound card that has multiple inputs. I want to keep pro tools so im thinking, the m-audio firewire 1814. It has 8 inputs, and then get a mixer with 8 xlr inputs and direct outs on each channel and run into the 1814. Is this correct? So i could have multri-track recordin into pro tools (8tracks) The firewiere device apparently works with pro tools.
I think thats a good idea.
But the firewire 1814 has only four balanced (TRS) inputs. And your direct outs from your mixer would be balanced. This means only four balanced direct outputs would be able to enter balanced inputs. The other four would suffer from a signal drop. The only way to go around this is to use the 8 unbalanced (TS) inputs with a compromise on the signal level.
The soundcraft FX8 seems decent enough and looks quite handy if you want to take it around for a live gig. |
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Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:28 am |
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Calipso
Family Friend
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Posts: 154
Location: N.Ireland |
Hmmm, how much of a signal drop would there be? The cables would be short, proably 1 metre cables or less. Would it be a significant drop? I heard that signal loss on unbalanced cables only start to effect after 5 metres. I could be totally wrong. Also, with the unbalanced signal, would this have more chance of picking up unwanted hum etc?
Im just looking around for a cheaper approach rather than the mighty expensive Digi 002 setup. |
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Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:46 pm |
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