Cranesong spider used as a console?

[mooghappy]

I was thinking of getting a Cranesong spider to use as a mixer/console. Has anyone used their Spider in this way? I already have 8 nice preamps, so I would go preamps into comps/eqs and then into the Cranesong to mix/pan.

It looks to be a summing mixer, so I guess my question is, can I get all 8 inputs separately recorded, or will it sum them into 1-2 stereo, 3-4 stereo, etc.?

I suppose it's not the best idea to get one as solely for the purpose of a mixer/console if I already have nice preamps and AD/DA, but it's something that's always intrigued me as an all in one sort of box.

[gainreduction]

We have two Spiders in the studio, but they were certainly bought for the pre/AD combo. I also used it as a summing mixer, which is a little tricky as the line-ins are +6dB (the minimum gain of the mic preamp). I think the Spider is a fantastic front end and would buy it (and did) for that purpose.

To answer your question, every channel has an analog insert point, the master included, where the send doubles as direct output.

If you want just levels and pan why not look at the Egret instead or replace your other pres/AD with the Spider. Not really sure what you want to accomplish.

CS is great stuff for sure.

[mooghappy]

Thanks, that pretty much answered my questions.

What I'm trying to accomplish I'm not completely sure...I think I want to get to mixing outside of the box because I vaguely understand that it could provide many benefits, like widening up a mix along with providing a better sound. Plus I like dealing with hardware over using my mouse.

But I think the Spider could come in handy if I need more than my current 8 pres, so it wouldn't be for the sole purpose of being a mixer. And my Shadow Hills pres don't seem to do cleans very well, which I've read the Cranesong pres are great for.

Hmm, I haven't even thought of the Egret. It almost seems like a D/A equivalent of the Spider? Looks like it could be used as stand along summing mixer as well.

[gainreduction]

Just remember the +6 dB dilemma on the line inputs. I found the best workaround to be lowering the DAW outputs -6dB to have a unity gain summing box.

Yep, the Egret is the back end, Spider the front. Insert an Avocet in between and you have a pretty happening small mixer

[mark714]

The Spider is a mixer, so of course you can use it as such. It sounds great, but if a "mixer" is all you are looking for there are other options available that sound great and cost less.

The Spider's greatest features are the preamps and converters. If you don't plan to use those features, that's kind of like buying a Maserati and only driving it in reverse. It is still cool to have, but you're kind of missing the point.

I think the Great River MixMaster might be more up your alley. While you sacrifice the digital outputs, that wasn't part of your initial criteria. It is cheaper, has more channels, eventual DAW recall, 4 Great River preamps, lots of quality transformers and a much more developed master section than the Spider.

You will sacrifice the digital outputs though, one of the Spider's strongest selling points. I think the Spider is the greatest marriage of analog and digital on the market today, but that's just me. Both of the aforementioned products come from quality people and they stand behind their gear so you can't make a bad choice. It comes down to what you want... which is a great problem to have.

[Johnny Dance]

I use it as a mixer. It sounds great. Just wish I had more channels for mixing time. (still thinking of getting a folcrom to put extra channels through. ).