Mixer/DAW controller - help!

[hamerhead]

OK I'm an idiot (pretty well known here). I need a mixer that will also run the software. I'm leaving this wide open on purpose.

HELP!

[veatch]

You can get off cheap if you can find one of those old Ramsas. DA7, i think. Might be overkill. Or Underkill, depending on what you want. I see these pop up for four to five hundred. 

I'm sure there is something newer, smaller, betterer, but I haven't chased boards in a long time. Interested to see what comes from this.

[hamerhead]

I should clarify: I'm looking for a board that can send 6 or 8 (or more!) channels to the computer, and also use it as a DAW controller (you know - kinda like we did in the old days with an 8-track Tascam and 16 channel board, when there were no computers and life was easy!).

[veatch]

Yes. I used the DA7 as a digital board (16 ins plus another 24 via ADAT lightpioe) and also controlled Logic from it. Maybe I'm still missing what you're asking. 

[hamerhead]

Nope - you got it. 

I'm trying to educate myself. Ha! I think what I need is a digital mixer? I'm still trying to grasp the whole regular mixers and digital mixers and DAW controllers and interfaces and .......And I thought I was getting it until I almost bought the wrong board (see 'idiot' above).

What I've learned in the past couple days (and it could be wrong):

A regular mixer is for gigging.

A DAW controller is basically a glorified mouse: you don't record thru it, you only manipulate playback/software with it.

A mixer w/ Firewire will record to PC, though is not necessarily a DAW controller.

A digital mixer is a combination of both mixer and DAW controller? (This is where I'm confused) If that's the case, then I need a digital mixer. If that's not the case, I'm still lost.

 

Thanks for the help, Jef.

 

[Teh]

Take a look at Presonus.  Their StudioLive mixers interface with DAW software.

https://www.presonus.com/products/Mixing-Systems

[jettster]

A lot of it might depend on if you are looking for a portable solution or stationary. For stationary, I would go with a separate audio interface and controller. Cost would be a lot better this way as well. For a portable solution the Presonus Studio live mixers referenced above are very nice but definitely a more costly solution. I run a Presonus 4 port audio interface with their Studio One DAW software. I thought that I would like things better with a DAW controller but usually end up using the computer keyboard and mouse. I have this one which also has a keyboard too. It has controls for 8 channels and all of the transport functionality.

 

 

[veatch]

17 hours ago, hamerhead said:

A digital mixer is a combination of both mixer and DAW controller? 

Not all digital mixers have a DAW controller. The Ramsa happened to have one, but as old as it is, it may not work on the newer software. Digital simply means that there are ADCs and DACs built in, and you mix digitally. 

[hamerhead]

OK, so if I had a PreSonus Firestudio Project ( http://www.presonus.com/products/firestudio-Project), all I would really need to do is add a controller? I could do that......

What would be a good intuitive controller? Ease-of-use is key here.

[Teh]

This is the only piece of gear I'm looking to grab in 2017 -- http://www.presonus.com/products/FaderPort-8

I've run a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 interface with Presonus Studio One for the DAW software for the past 6-7 years.  Great combo with, IMHO, more power and easier to use than Pro Tools.  Currently have a single channel Faderport, but the new eight channel will make it loads easier to mix and control the DAW over the current keyboard/mouse primary control.  Use the single channel for transport and level tweak, but that's about it.

[tomteriffic]

For my money, if I was starting from scratch, I'd look at the Presonus Studiolive mixer lashed up to the Studio One software.  I tried this at Sweetwater for a little while and found the learning curve to be pretty short and pretty intuitive for an old analog tape guy.

Alternatively, you should be able to find a Mackie HUI pretty cheaply.  Just make sure it will play nice with your DAW software.

[jaberwock]

We did a live recording using one of these, I was astounded at how good the mic preamps were, it seemed really well put together as well, not what I was expecting from Behringer !!

[scottcald]

2 hours ago, jaberwock said:

We did a live recording using one of these, I was astounded at how good the mic preamps were, it seemed really well put together as well, not what I was expecting from Behringer !!

That's because a few years back they purchased MIDAS.  

[geoff_hartwell]

Hamerhead- what software are you using to record and what computer?

This will have a huge impact on your decisions.

I have a lot of experience with ProTools and Logic, back to 2-inch 24 track and everything in between.

I love and still use Logic 9 (not 10) daily with PreSonus interfaces, no mix interface (*SO* easy in the software to toggle mixer and waves) and it's the most stable setup I know. From producing vanity projects to tracking and overdubs with Grammy-winners like Sonny Landreth, Cindy Cashdollar, Chuck Leavell, Levon Helm Horns, etc.

I love the PreSonus studio live mixers for lots of reasons, but for flexibility I would not get married to their software and if you're not using the PS SL for live gigs and live recordings, don't go with it.

Since FireWire is dying The focusrite USB interfaces are showing incredible bang for the buck (with good preamps, compatibility and expandability) and I'd really recommend a Mac if you're not there already.

So my short answer is: Settle on your platform (stable computer, software and interfaces- easier said than done ) and get used to using shortcuts within the software to use transport, routing and editing controls, and only look for a mixer interface to solve minor problems, if at all.

Please let us know, and let's get you sorted!

GH