Question for the pros who record with a DAW

[Revelation]

What do most of you use to control your DAW mixer? With the flexibility of the mixer in Logic, Pro Tools and Nuendo/Cubase, do we really need digitial mixers to copy what is already in the DAW?

Some suggest just have some API's, Manely Massive Passive,LA 2 A's and other warm gear and then just put it in your DAW with great converters.

[genericperson]

that question can have many answers.

there are five basic categories for mixing:
1) mixing in the computer using a mouse
2) mixing in the computer, but using a midi mixer control interface to make workflow easier (but the mixer passes no audio through it)
3) sending the audio digitally out to a digital mixer and mixing in the digital mixer (actual digital audio is "in" the mixer in this case)
4) sending 16 or so analog lines out to a "summing" mixer like the Dangerous 2 Bus to get analog summing and sweetening with analog outboard
5) sending the tracks out analog to a full size pro mixer, raising your goblet the rock gods and having a blast until you get the electricity bill for that month

#5 is the preferred method for most pros, although cost and convenience will often move people into one of the other situations.

as far as controlling the track information in the daw 1,2,3 and 5 can do that. in situation 4, automation/control is typically left inside the DAW and the analog signals flow passively into the summer for final enhancement.

to answer your question you do not need a digital mixer to control your daw. there are many mixer controllers with motorized faders that can control your DAW without being burdened with the responsibility of also having to take care of a-d, d-a conversions and digital signal processing. so you save space and cost by just having the mixer be a controller.

people who have digital mixers often have a need for a lot of inputs and outputs from the mixer. a person with a small setup doesn't need that. people with tight deadlines such as t.v. broadcast and video edit houses often use digital mixers with very specialized work ergonomics. in these situtations, the mixer is usually part of a carefully integrated technology environment.

[Aearth]

I use a PT HD3 system (192 IO) with a Yamaha 01V96 and yeh I mix in the box. The 01V96 is used for monitoring and control surface, really don't use the pres on this desk.

Front end: I use good presamps. Well I'm more than happy with these and will add to this collection in time.

Avalon 737
UA 6176 x 2
ISA 428
Trident MTA 80B
Chandler TG2 (got to get more of these)


Nick

[RichT]

I'm a child of the digital revolution using Nuendo 2.x and a mouse.

Cheers,
Rich

[entropy]

If the budget allows, I'll go #5 everytime.

But if it doesn't (which seems to be always here in Aussie), I'll use my mouse or the new SAC 2k controller, which I'm trying out for the next few weeks.

[Boby Stoica]

I'm doing TV music, music production/song writing, commercials and ocasionallyrecording bands. I'm using SONY DMX R 100 with Logic or Cubase SX. Here are a few reasons 4 me, buying a digital mixer:

1. I have lots of external digital processors, connected digitally with the board, automated by midi.

2. I work on tight deadlines for TV and advertising companies, so total recall is a must - indeed, posible with the DAW itself, but on this niche, the "look" of the studio can sell..

3. The board is very good 4 the price, it brings more digital processing to my setup, on a good quality - EQs and Comps.

4. The summing stage SOUNDS BETTER (to my ears) than any DAW summing that I've tried - did mixes with Vegas, Cubase and Logic - getting results in this particular order - IMHO.

5. This particular board has good conv. and preamps, wich I ocasionally use 4 recording bands - filling up dead studio time.

6. 4 the money that I could buy a big Pro Tools system, I bought a second hand SONY board, Apogee conv., a PC with 2 Powercores and 2 UADs and 6 good digital processors . This was my choice and it turned out as a better choice than my friend's , who did the DAW way.

Having a board that is easy to work on brings me bussiness with other producers and engineers - not possible with DAW, everyone doing DAWs at their home..

All this is questionable - it should be a personal choice, suiting personal needs.

[C.Lambrechts]

isn't the realy nice thing these days that we have a choice ? ... In the old days there was only one way. Sure, different brands but it came basically down to tape and mixer. ...... Just look at all the possible combinations possible today .... I LOVE it.

[djui5]

A mouse...........









I like mixing on analog boards with outboard gear....


But lately I've been working with HD6.4 and have come to find myself using more plug-in's than I used to....

Maybe I'm just not diggin the outboard gear at the studio.....whatever.

[Jules]

16 fader ProControl in use here...

[RoundBadge]

Just got a control 24 last week ...completely changed my game

[LumenStudio]

Originally posted by genericperson
that question can have many answers.

3) sending the audio digitally out to a digital mixer and mixing in the digital mixer (actual digital audio is "in" the mixer in this case)

Going this route made life much more pleasant for me. I actually had a Mackie control first which was good, but the digital mixer was a step up for the number of faders, the additional goodies, and as another poster here said I think the summing sounds better for whatever reason. (maybe I mix better out of the box)

[studjo]

full board - occasional submix with a Control 8 (nice to control the plug ins )

Jo

[mardyk]

Mixing in Logic Pro with a mouse. Summing through Dangerous 2-bus with all kinds of analog compressors and eqs etc. D/A Apogee MiniDac and MOTU HD 192. For front end
Vintechs, UA 6176, A-design mp2, and Toft ATC-2,
and HEDD 192 for A/D. Total recall within Logic and a Nikon Coolpix.

[RoundBadge]

Yeah ,like mardyk, I also take a digital snap[canon digi rebel] of my outboard stuff,then throw the j-pegs in the protools session folder.works great!!

[djui5]

Originally posted by RoundBadge
Yeah ,like mardyk, I also take a digital snap[canon digi rebel] of my outboard stuff,then throw the j-pegs in the protools session folder.works great!!

I had got a digital camera when I graduated for that purpose....never used it for that though.....

Clients loved having it around......