Mytek 8x192 as Summing box

[mdsmith64]

Hi all,

Someone raised an interesting point on a thread I started a couple of days ago regarding summing devices. This person pointed out that the new Mytek 8x192 had the capability to sum it's 8 channels to a stereo pair out. Reading the manual, I wasn't able to tell if the architecture is such that the 8x192 is a viable summing box. Here's what the manual says:


Stereo Output selector determines
what is present on stereo XLR
outputs and headphone. It can
either be any pair of DACs or L/R
sum of them (odd channels
summed to L and even to R) or
Mono sum of all 8 chan.
Holding this button selects Thru
Knob function which routes the
XLR output via volume attenuator.
These outputs are typically
connected directly to power amp or
powered speakers providing hifidelity
short signal monitor path.

The part that throws me is the statement that odd channels are summed L and even R. Can someone help me understand how this would, or would not make the 8x192 a viable summing device? Thanks for you help in advance.


Best Regards,

Mike

[atticus]

The 8x192 can sum the outputs of it's d/a converters. By summing so that the odd channels are on the left the the even channels are on the right, it allows you to use combinations of stereo outputs and stereo output busses out of your DAW, and will then sum those stereo "stems" into a finished stereo mix. In this sceanrio the panning is done inside of the daw.

You could also theoretically use it as a summing box with other converters involved, but it would have to pass through the 8x192's a/d and d/a staged to get to the summing section. Feel free to call or PM me if you have any more questions, or you could ask them here as well. Thanks.

[mdsmith64]

Thanks David. Man, I feel especially dense about all this. To make sure I understand this, let's say I have a stereo buss in my DAW, then I would make sure it's sending out to channels 1 and 2 on the Mytek. The Mytek channels 1 and 2 then would represent the original stereo buss on my DAW. As I pan on the DAW to the left, the entire signal would output to channel 1. As I pan to the right, the entire signal would output to channel 2. Center pan would reconstruct the original stereo buss on the DAW. So I guess you would be able to get 4 stereo busses stemmed? I'm I getting it? These 4 stereo stems would then be summed to the stereo output on the Mytek, right? And of course I could create stems on the DAW before outputing to the Mytek to get even more stems (stems of stems).

I guess my last question would be why would you want the ability to mono sum all 8 channels to the output?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

Best Regards,

Mike.

[mytek]

Originally Posted by mdsmith64

I guess my last question would be why would you want the ability to mono sum all 8 channels to the output?

Two reasons:

1. If you have two 8X192 ADDAs, 16 channels total, you can sum channels 1-8 to one mono out and 9-16 on second unit to another mono channel. This way you sum 16 inputs to a set of stereo outputs

2. The summing has also function of monitor selector. If you are are using only 1st stereo pair for for example monitotring in mastering room, the "mono sum" switch has essentially function of typical "mono" switch in mastering console.

Regards , Michal www.mytekdigital.com