[Sean Oneil]

The more I look around this forum, the more I notice that people are still using outboard mixers with their DAW set-ups. I was not really sure what advantage this would give anyone, until I read something about how the analog summing/panning,etc. in outboard mixers is generally superior to the digital summing/panning etc. that goes on in the box with software mixing.

So I start wondering, just how much better is it when you go to an outboard mixer? (anything under $2K or in that neighborhood)


Let me give a specific situation. Currently I record and mix completely within Sonar 3.0 Producer. I am planning on upgrading to Sonar 5 when it is released as the new 64 bit audio engine is advertised to have better summing than the previous versions.

I currently have an audio interface with 8 analog outs, but could add more if mixing outboard would be worth it.

So I am hoping for some help on this subject. Is mixing ITB a really weak link in my production chain? How much of a real world difference is there between software mixing or outboard analog mixing?

And I would also like some recommendations on good model mixers to research in the afore mentioned $2K neighborhood.

Thanks to all in advance.


-Sean